error occurred during Service Master Key Decryption

• lkennedy76

  SSChampion

  Points: 13683

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  March 13, 2015 at 12:08 pm

  #315654

  Hi All;

  I have a SP SQL server that uses Handshake for the web parts. I am getting an error on SharePoint about 'An error occurred during Service Master Key Decryption' inside the web parts of the page, everything else comes up, from what I have researched MS says go under SQL Configuration Manager and change the service account. Is this the correct course of action for this type of error? I am just having a hard time believing that changing the engines service account will stop this issue, this account is used on several SQL server with no issues.

  MCSE SQL Server 2012\2014\2016

• lkennedy76

  SSChampion

  Points: 13683

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  March 20, 2015 at 10:55 am

  #1785418

  FOUND THE ANSWER, IT'S A WINDOWS PATCH!!!!

  http://stackoverflow.com/questions/28542537/an-error-occurred-during-service-master-key-decryption

  "Windows patch, KB3004375 ("Update to improve Windows command-line auditing"). After removing this security patch, there are no more errors"

  MCSE SQL Server 2012\2014\2016