The Windows Server Essentials Service cannot synchronize the user password to the online identity repository

Jesse Flintoff 216

Hi there.

Recently. I have the below error coming up on multiple 2016 essential servers when doing password changes via the Essentials Dashboards.

I can confirm that passwords are not syncing to 365.

I have tired disabling 365 integration. Then re enabling. Same issue.

Anyone else seen this issue?

STM 1 Reputation point

2021-07-23T08:32:27.86+00:00

... any news?
Franck Gravel 1 Reputation point

2021-07-26T21:36:36.637+00:00

Same here and My users are freaking out! please keep me updated
Manson DeGraw 1 Reputation point

2021-07-29T17:21:15.057+00:00

We are also having this same issue with all clients using Server 2016 Essentials 2016 standard with Essentials Role installed. Password sync to Office 365 stopped working recently. Have not checked clients with Server 2012 R2 Essentials but will check them. I seems very odd that creating a new user with sync to Office 365 and create the password correctly In process of opening a MS ticket.

Manson
Shawn P. Lemay 21 Reputation points

2021-07-31T17:48:50.98+00:00

So glad I found this thread, I was just about to open a case to Microsoft, as I have 3 sites now failing with this error. Hopefully, they get this fixed soon!
Phillip Fielding 1 Reputation point

2021-08-06T09:22:11.563+00:00

Like others, ive now got 4 different customers experiencing this issue.
this is the only thread ive managed to find with any information.
has there been any update on this?
MAC 1 Reputation point

2021-08-06T20:17:26.877+00:00

I am also experiencing this issue. Any update?
Zachary Sigamony 1 Reputation point

2021-09-27T17:53:04.68+00:00

I have a similar issue too with two of my clients on server 2016 essential
Zachary Sigamony 1 Reputation point

2021-09-27T17:53:13.49+00:00

I have a similar issue too with two of my clients on server 2016 essential
Ishtiaq 71 Reputation points

2021-10-08T14:00:25.907+00:00

Good news, Password synch is now working, although I've not yet heard it from Microsoft in response to our support ticket. Just tested on a couple of Client server and it works!
Lets hope its a permanent fix...

45 answers

Leila Kong 3,691 Reputation points

2021-07-12T09:37:32.74+00:00

Hello @Jesse Flintoff ,

Thanks for your query. Please check the following post for troubleshooting:

1."I disabled Office 365 integration and when I tried to re-enable it said that the "server was not connected to the internet" I dug into that and found that somehow all but one of the DNS root hints were gone. I recreated them and was able to re-enable office 365 integration. So far the password sync error has not re-occurred."
Windows Server Essentials Service Cannot Reset the password for the following accounts: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/ie/en-US/5977811e-a96c-481d-9dbe-0c5841d9bd5a/windows-server-essentials-service-cannot-reset-the-password-for-the-following-accounts?forum=winserveressentials

2.Password Synchronization with O365 Broken: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/08f7d499-4220-4b5d-b62f-fc5481a20639/password-synchronization-with-o365-broken?forum=ws16essentials

Best regards,
Leila

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Ishtiaq 71 Reputation points

2021-07-12T13:33:47.487+00:00

We have same issue in all clients Server 2016 Essentials Edition and Server 2016 standard with Essentials Role installed. After years of successful operation, password sync to Office 365 stopped working in mid June 2021. Strangely, Server 2012 R2 Essentials still work ok.

I have a ticket opened with Microsoft a few days ago. Microsoft support team setup a test Server 2016 in their lab and got the same issue. I'm informed that Microsoft PG team is investigating the issue and will let me know when they have a solution.

@Leila Kong - That what you suggest is not a fix for Server 2016 - unless it maybe a Windows 2012 R2 Essentials Edition or standard with Server Essentials Role installed.
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Ishtiaq 71 Reputation points

2021-07-12T19:57:35.75+00:00

@Jesse Flintoff

I got an update from PG team that they have discovered a bug, which is hardcoded.
They are working on it but this may take more time than expected.

I will keep you posted with the latest information as I receive it.

Leila Kong 3,691 Reputation points

2021-07-13T01:22:52.227+00:00

Hello @IshtiaqAIshaq-7109 ,

Thanks for your sharing and update.

Jesse Flintoff 216 Reputation points

2021-07-13T04:17:23.287+00:00

Thank you @IshtiaqAIshaq-7109

Rob Brush 6 Reputation points

2021-07-16T11:19:05.637+00:00

TThanks @IshtiaqAIshaq-7109, this issue has been driving me CRAZY!

STM 1 Reputation point

2021-07-23T08:34:20.19+00:00

...any news?

Narve Andreas Nordås 26 Reputation points

2021-07-27T11:19:46.61+00:00

I have the same problem too.
An update on the case?

Kevin Gray 1 Reputation point

2021-07-29T12:03:28.187+00:00

Is there any comments back from microsoft yet about this issue. have they confirmed it will be fixed for server essentials 2016? I reported this as a problem and was told server essentials was no longer supported! this is the link they gave me https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/hybrid/how-to-connect-install-prerequisites#installation-prerequisites however reading this just looks like the azure ad sync tool is the part that isn't supported on server essentials, which makes sense as it is supposed to be built into the essentials experience.

Franz F. Klein 1 Reputation point

2021-07-29T13:55:27.067+00:00

We have the same problem here with all our Windows Essentials Servers.
I hope the Microsoft Support will fix this soon.

@IshtiaqAIshaq-7109
Thanks for your efforts with the Microsoft Support.
Please keep us informed about any news!
Thanks a lot!

Ishtiaq 71 Reputation points

2021-07-31T10:27:09.483+00:00

I received 2 updates for my open support ticket on Friday 30th and and Monday 26th July respectively.
I'll post any other update I receive from the support team.

Greetings from Microsoft.
I can understand the inconvenience caused due this issue but unfortunately all these issues/regressions are caused due to other components which WSE interact with.
I will update you as soon as I have some inputs.

As updated, I’m constantly following up the PG team regarding this but unfortunately haven’t got any positive news yet.
The issue is with Azure AD, they seems to have made some changes to GraphAPI Backend, no changes in Essentials.
Reason its taking time is because issue is not with Essentials but with GraphAPI team.

Kevin Gray 1 Reputation point

2021-08-03T09:15:10.293+00:00

Oh the wheels move so slowly at MS !! do they not understand that this is impacting real customers today? Keep on pestering them and keep us all updated. many thanks.

Paul Watson 6 Reputation points

2021-08-09T14:50:19.973+00:00

@IshtiaqAIshaq-7109 We have clients with the same issue.
Are there any recent updates?

Thanks,
Paul

Steen V. Madsen 1 Reputation point

2021-08-10T10:20:57.42+00:00

I have the same problem - pretty annoying.
An update on the case fra Microsoft?

Ishtiaq 71 Reputation points

2021-08-25T13:24:46.203+00:00

Latest update from Microsoft Support received today.

Hello Ishtiaq,

I understand and apologize on behalf of Microsoft for the inconvenience you are experiencing.

The Office365 integration with essentials involves extraordinary dependencies on multiple components and hence its taking time to co-ordinate between different teams.

We have already figured out the problem on GraphAPI’s backend and currently trying to find a solution of fixing the same without breaking other components of O365.

Unfortunately, as off now I do not have an ETA but I can assure you that Essentials code is not a problem and we need to wait for changes to O365 backend.

Franz F. Klein 1 Reputation point

2021-09-22T14:45:10.54+00:00

@IshtiaqAIshaq-7109
This is very dissapointing from Microsoft.
We will open a ticket as well.
Can you share your case-number for reference?
Thanks!
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STM 1 Reputation point

2021-08-23T19:57:56.627+00:00

Stupid Question. When you buy a Windows Server 2016 Standard do you also have Support included for about 5 years or so? I know the enterprise agreements with microsoft but not small licenses agreements like one Server/SBS/Essentials . I also like to open a ticket. But I can't because my customer does not have a customer id nor a support plan.
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Rob Brush 6 Reputation points

2021-08-24T12:59:02.727+00:00

Actually WS2016 Essentials is supported for 10 years (5 mainstream and 5 extended) BUT I'm in the same boat as far as being able to create a ticket. Long and short, Essentials has been killed off and I think they're shelving it/support unless it impacts the other editions.
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Timeh 1 Reputation point

2021-08-24T12:56:12.903+00:00

Check and see if you have MFA enabled for the Office 365 administrator account.
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STM 1 Reputation point

2021-08-25T15:39:06.52+00:00

Is this true: https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/2311586-ms-365-integration-in-essentials-2016
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