When checking Empower Node Properties, status shows “Failed to establish a COM connection to the requested device” - WKB318179

Article number: 318179

SYMPTOMS

When checking Node Properties in Empower, the connection status shows “Failed to establish a COM connection to the requested device”
The error appears in either case:
- From Client → LAC/E
- From LAC/E → Client
Empower services may appear to start correctly, but communication between nodes does not succeed

The Windows User Rights Assignment in Local Security Policy is misconfigured.
- The policy “Access this computer from the network” does not include Domain Users and Authenticated Users.
Network Discovery is turned OFF on either the LAC/E or the Client PC, preventing proper visibility and DCOM/RPC communication.

Update User Rights Assignment
- Open Local Security Policy (secpol.msc).
- Navigate to:
  Security Settings → Local Policies → User Rights Assignment.
- Edit “Access this computer from the network”.
- Ensure that both Domain Users and Authenticated Users are added.
- Apply and close.
Enable Network Discovery
- On each LAC/E and Client PC:
  - Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Advanced sharing settings.
  - Under your network profile (Domain), enable:
    - Turn on network discovery
    - Turn on file and printer sharing (recommended for Empower environments)
- Save changes.
Restart the Systems
- Restart both Client and LAC/E PCs to apply security policy changes.
- Re-check Node Properties in Empower — the COM connection should now succeed.