Hybrid Configuration Wizard (HCW) Fails with WinRM Connectivity Issue; EMS Connectivity Also Fails Despite SSL Certificate Configuration

Question

Hybrid Configuration Wizard (HCW) Fails with WinRM Connectivity Issue; EMS Connectivity Also Fails Despite SSL Certificate Configuration

Anonymous

I am setting up a hybrid environment between an on-premises Exchange Server 2019 and Microsoft 365. The Hybrid Configuration Wizard (HCW) fails with the following error:

WinRM cannot complete the operation. Verify that the specified computer name is valid, that the computer is accessible over the network, and that a firewall exception for the WinRM service is enabled and allows access from this computer.

Additionally, the Exchange Management Shell (EMS) fails to connect locally with a similar WinRM error. However, I can connect to the Exchange Server remotely and run commands like Get-Mailbox without issues.

Why does remote EMS connectivity work while local EMS connectivity fails?

HCW error

Anonymous

2025-02-05T06:03:13.9666667+00:00

Hello, @Bije,

Just wanted to check if the answer shared below helped. If it helped, then would request you to please "Accept the answer" as it would be helpful to others in the community as well.

Best Wishes,

Alex Zhang
Anonymous

2025-02-07T01:48:45.31+00:00

Hello, @Bije

If an answer has been helpful, please consider accepting the answer to help increase visibility of this question for other members of the Microsoft Q&A community. If not, please let us know what is still needed in the comments so the question can be answered. Thank you for helping to improve Microsoft Q&A!

Best Wishes,

Alex Zhang

1 answer

Your answer

Anonymous

2025-02-05T06:03:13.9666667+00:00

Hello, @Bije,

Just wanted to check if the answer shared below helped. If it helped, then would request you to please "Accept the answer" as it would be helpful to others in the community as well.

Best Wishes,

Alex Zhang
Anonymous

2025-02-07T01:48:45.31+00:00

Hello, @Bije

If an answer has been helpful, please consider accepting the answer to help increase visibility of this question for other members of the Microsoft Q&A community. If not, please let us know what is still needed in the comments so the question can be answered. Thank you for helping to improve Microsoft Q&A!

Best Wishes,

Alex Zhang

Answer 1

Hello, @Bije,

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A platform!

Based on your error message, you're encountering a WinRM configuration issue on your Exchange Server 2019. Here are a few steps to help troubleshoot and resolve this problem:

1.Check WinRM Service Status: Ensure that the WinRM service is running on your Exchange Server. You can do this by running the following command in an elevated PowerShell session:

Get-Service WinRM

If the service is not running, start it with:

Start-Service WinRM

2.Configure WinRM: Run the winrm quickconfig command to configure WinRM with default settings. This command will start the WinRM service, set it to auto-start, and create a firewall exception for the current user profile. For more, refer to Installation and configuration for Windows Remote Management - Win32 apps | Microsoft Learn.

winrm quickconfig

3.Firewall Configuration: Ensure that the firewall on your Exchange Server allows WinRM traffic. You can create a firewall rule to allow WinRM traffic using the following command:

New-NetFirewallRule -Name "Allow WinRM" -DisplayName "Allow WinRM" -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 5985 -Action Allow

4.Listener Configuration: Verify that a WinRM listener is configured and listening on the appropriate ports. Run the following command to check the listener configuration:

winrm enumerate winrm/config/listener

5.Local Loopback Check: Since remote EMS connectivity works, but local EMS connectivity fails, it could be due to a local configuration issue. Verify that the local loopback address (127.0.0.1) is not blocked by any security software or firewall rules.

Moreover, an issue similar to yours and its resolution is here for your reference.

Issue link: WinRM error on Exchange 2019 - Microsoft Q&A

Should you need more help on this, you can feel free to post back.

If the answer is helpful, please click on “Accept answer” as it could help other members of the Microsoft Q&A community who have similar questions and are looking for solutions.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Best Wishes,

Alex Zhang

Anonymous

2025-01-29T15:30:56.1666667+00:00

Hello @Anonymous

Thanks for taking the time.

I followed the troubleshooting steps you provided and WinRM seems to work properly.

You check the output of listerner configuration but still not able to get the same error on Exchange Management Shell and Hybrid Configuration Wizard.
Anonymous

2025-01-31T01:24:47.2133333+00:00

Hello, @Bije,

Thank you for your prompt reply.

Since WinRM seems to be working properly and the listener configuration looks correct, let's explore a few additional areas. Ensure that IIS services are running and properly configured by restarting IIS with iisreset. Verify that the authentication settings for the PowerShell virtual directory in IIS are correctly configured, with both Basic Authentication and Windows Authentication enabled. Also, check for SSL certificate issues using netsh http show sslcert.

Additionally, review the Event Viewer for any related errors under Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > WinRM. Ensure the network profile is set to Private or DomainAuthenticated and that no firewall rules are blocking local connections. As a last resort, reset the WinRM configuration to default settings with winrm invoke Restore winrm/config and winrm quickconfig. If the problem persists, please share any specific error messages or logs you encounter.

If the answer is helpful, please click on “Accept answer” as it could help other members of the Microsoft Q&A community who have similar questions and are looking for solutions.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Best Wishes,

Alex Zhang
Anonymous

2025-02-11T02:04:02.7133333+00:00

Hello, @Bije,

Just wanted to check if the answer shared above helped. If it helped, then would request you to please "Accept the answer" as it would be helpful to others in the community as well.

Best Wishes,

Alex Zhang

Share via

Hybrid Configuration Wizard (HCW) Fails with WinRM Connectivity Issue; EMS Connectivity Also Fails Despite SSL Certificate Configuration

1 answer

Your answer