Stop Code 0x0000000C - MAXIMUM_WAIT_OBJECTS_EXCEEDED

"0x0000000C MAXIMUM_WAIT_OBJECTS_EXCEEDED" Stop error on a Windows Server-based computer with many IP addresses

Symptoms

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Consider the following scenario:

• You have a computer that is running Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, or Windows Server 2012
• You have Remote Desktop Services enabled to allow remote connections to the server
• You have more than 64 IP addresses assigned to the network interface configured in the RDP-Tcp listener

In this scenario, the server may crash. Additionally, you receive a Stop error message that resembles the following:

STOP: 0x0000000C ( parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4 )

Note:

• This Stop error describes a MAXIMUM_WAIT_OBJECTS_EXCEEDED issue.
• The parameters in this Stop error message vary, depending on the configuration of the computer.
• Not all Stop 0x0000000C error messages are caused by this issue.

Cause

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KeWaitForMultipleObjectshas a defined MAXIMUM_WAIT_OBJECTS value of 64. Remote Desktop Services (Terminal Services) listens on all configured IP addresses for the network adapter configured on the RDP-Tcp connection. When the adapter has more than 64 IP addresses Remote Desktop Services will not be able to wait for connections on all IP addresses without breaking the MAXIMUM_WAIT_OBJECTS contract in KeWaitForMultipleObjects. This causes the operating system to crash with Stop 0xC error.

Note: The defined MAXIMUM_WAIT_OBJECTS value of 64 is by design.

Workaround

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This problem can be avoided by using one of the following workarounds:
Note: It may be necessary to boot into "Safe Mode with Networking" in order to apply these workarounds.

Method 1: Configure the Remote Desktop Session Host to listen on a different network adapter with less than 64 IP addresses

1. Open "Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration" MMC
2. Right-click the RDP-Tcp connection object and select Properties
3. Select the Network Adapter tab under RDP-Tcp Properties
4. Select a network adapter with less than 64 assigned IP addresses

Method 2: Disable incoming Remote Desktop connections

1. Open the System Properties applet from Control Panel (SystemPropertiesRemote.exe)
2. Select "Don't allow connections to this computer"