“The target principal name is incorrect” Error during manual AD replication

During a manually initiated Active Directory replication at a customer, I repeatedly got the following error message
“The target principal name is incorrect”. It was always the same domain controller in use for the replication.

The reason for the message was, that a VPN connection between the headquarters and a branch office was disconnected for several weeks. This is why a secure channel between the domain controller between the branch and the headquarters did not exist any longer.

Rebuilding the secure channels fixed the error: 

Troubleshooting “The target principal name is incorrect”

Solving the problem on the domain controller step-by-step:

1. Deactivate the service “Key Distribution Center”
2. Restart Domain Controller
3. Start a command-box as administrator and enter the following command:
   
   netdom resetpwd /Server:dc-mit-pdc-Emulator-Rolle /userd:<em>Domain\Administrator</em> /passwordd:<em>password</em>

   1	netdom resetpwd /Server:dc-mit-pdc-Emulator-Rolle /userd:<em>Domain\Administrator</em> /passwordd:<em>password</em>

4. Restart Domain Controller
5. Reset the service “Key Distribution Center” to automatic start and start

 Source: Microsoft