WhatsApp Desktop (UWP) Crashes on Windows 11 Pro Joined to RODC (Server 2019)

Question

Hello everyone,

I originally posted this on the Microsoft Community Forum, and it was suggested I post here for further insights from UWP experts. I’m encountering a peculiar issue where WhatsApp Desktop (Microsoft Store/UWP) consistently crashes on Windows 11 Pro domain PCs that point to a Read-Only Domain Controller (RODC). The app runs fine under the exact same Group Policies and user accounts if the PC instead points to a writable Domain Controller or if I log in with a local user account.

I’ve already gone through standard troubleshooting steps (e.g., SFC, DISM, reinstallation, password replication checks) without resolving the issue. Below are the environment details, symptoms, logs, and the feedback I received—and how I responded.

I would really appreciate guidance or insights from anyone who has encountered similar UWP app crashes with an RODC setup. Thank you in advance!

Environment Details

• RODC: Windows Server 2019 (newly configured)
• Client PCs: Windows 11 Pro (fully updated, joined to the RODC site/subnet)
• Active Directory: Single Forest with multiple DCs (including this new RODC)
• WhatsApp Desktop: 2.2502.3.0 (UWP app from Microsoft Store)

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Symptoms

1. Crash on Launch: When a domain user (whose password is replicated to the RODC) logs in and launches the WhatsApp Desktop (Store/UWP), the app opens briefly and then crashes—no error dialog, it simply disappears.
2. No Crash in Other Scenarios:
   • Local user accounts on the same PC: Works fine.
   • Domain-joined PCs pointing to a writable DC: Works fine.
   • Other Microsoft Store apps (e.g., LibreOffice, Messenger, 3CX) on the same environment: Work fine.

Event Viewer Logs

1. Application Error

Faulting application name: WhatsApp.exe, version: 0.0.0.0, time stamp: 0x678970d2
Faulting module name: twinapi.appcore.dll, version: 10.0.26100.2454, time stamp: 0xf2c58052
Exception code: 0xc000027b
Fault offset: 0x0000000000074b43
Faulting process id: 0x1024
Faulting application start time: 0x1DB6D7F79AABF90
Faulting application path: C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\5319275A.WhatsAppDesktop_2.2502.3.0_x64__cv1g1gvanyjgm\WhatsApp.exe
Faulting module path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\twinapi.appcore.dll
Report Id: 4c56128e-1f8d-4b11-ae44-cf76e5a3db80
Faulting package full name: 5319275A.WhatsAppDesktop_2.2502.3.0_x64__cv1g1gvanyjgm
Faulting package-relative application ID: App

Windows Error Reporting

Fault bucket 1754233769781301191, type 5
Event Name: MoAppCrash
Response: Not available
Cab Id: 0

Problem signature:
P1: 5319275A.WhatsAppDesktop_2.2502.3.0_x64__cv1g1gvanyjgm
P2: praid:App
P3: 0.0.0.0
P4: 678970d2
P5: combase.dll
P6: 10.0.26100.2894
P7: be3fbb33
P8: 80004005
P9: 00000000000cd9e4
P10: 

Attached files:
\\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER.8f41ecac-085e-49af-b0c2-f85e46167782.tmp.dmp
\\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER.27ad2f85-9d0a-4c44-956f-0e712fdf5c0a.tmp.WERInternalMetadata.xml
\\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER.b0b5d379-0cf3-4429-8692-4da93f38244f.tmp.csv
\\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER.a3111108-b46b-4fa3-a44d-02b67acffa9f.tmp.txt
\\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\Temp\WER.c3066cb7-8a20-44c5-9189-997557600095.tmp.xml

These files may be available here:
\\?\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchive\AppCrash_5319275A.WhatsAp_e44d9320fd30c69eda1e1ceab52f1ec83efb4f_a2281cf2_5ec12b16-196d-4ea8-9c91-726eb5cf1f93

Analysis symbol: 
Rechecking for solution: 0
Report Id: 4c56128e-1f8d-4b11-ae44-cf76e5a3db80
Report Status: 268435456
Hashed bucket: 323d689eb919f49fe8584a51bccf0fc7
Cab Guid: 0

Troubleshooting Steps Taken

Password Replication Policy

• Confirmed that the domain user accounts and the respective Windows 11 PC accounts are allowed to replicate passwords on the RODC.

1. Site or Subnet Configuration
   • Created a new site, linked it to a new subnet, placed the RODC there, and pointed the Windows 11 PCs to that site (so their primary DC is the RODC).
   • When the same PCs are configured to point at a writable DC, WhatsApp works normally.
2. 'SFC /scannow' & DISM
   • No integrity violations found.
3. Repair or Reset WhatsApp Desktop
   • Tried from Apps & Features and via Microsoft Store. No change.
   Reinstall WhatsApp Desktop
   • Uninstalled and reinstalled while logged in as a domain user. No change.

Group Policy

• The domain users have identical GPOs whether they point to the RODC or a writable DC. On the writable DC, no crash