Look for the specific URL it is trying to reach. If you see a (Not Found) or 403 (Forbidden), you know the issue is IIS/Permissions related. Summary Checklist BIOS Time: Is it synced with the server? MP Status: Is IIS running on the Management Point? Deployment: Did you "Clear Required PXE Deployments"?
Right-click the Device or the Collection in the SCCM Console and select "Clear Required PXE Deployments." This resets the flag and allows the device to request the variable file fresh. 4. Boundary Group Issues
If you are seeing the error with Exit Code 14 in your SMSTS.log , your Task Sequence is failing before it even really begins. This error specifically indicates that the SCCM client cannot retrieve the variables.dat file from the Management Point (MP). What Causes Exit Code 14? unable to download pxe variable file. exit code 14 sccm
Check the MP_Control.log on your Primary Site server. Ensure the MP is healthy. You can also try to browse to http:// /SMS_MP/.sms_aut?mplist from another machine to see if the MP responds. 3. Clear Required PXE Deployments
If the device was previously imaged and the Task Sequence was marked as "Required," SCCM might think the job is already done or stuck. Look for the specific URL it is trying to reach
In some configurations, the device needs to authenticate to pull the variables.
Because PXE communication often relies on certificates (especially in HTTPS/PKI environments), the device's BIOS/UEFI time must match the server time. MP Status: Is IIS running on the Management Point
If the MP is overwhelmed or the IIS services are down, it won't serve the variable file.
If the device is booting into WinPE but its IP address isn't assigned to a associated with a Management Point, the download will fail.