Last updated on February 9th, 2024 at 02:52 am
Based on what I’ve read in the community posts, Microsoft error code AADSTS51004 occurs when the user account isn’t located in the Azure AD directory. There are various forms of this error code. But they all share the same problem.
You may have trouble signing up for Microsoft websites, Microsoft apps, such as Office 365 and Teams, or even Microsoft services, such as OneDrive. So, what are the causes, and what can be done to eliminate them? It’s alright, don’t worry! Let’s find out with this guide.
What is the AADSTS51004 Error?
In Microsoft Office 365, this error occurs when the user does not have an Immutable ID. So, in simple words, in Microsoft Azure Active Directory (AD), the Microsoft error code AADSTS51004 occurs if a user account does not exist in the directory.
What Causes of Microsoft Error Code AADSTS51004?
Here is a list of the most common causes of the Microsoft error code AADSTS51004 issue:
- Incorrect account type.
- The guest user wasn’t invited.
- Password expires.
- Conditional Access Policies.
- Account Provisioning Issues.
- Issues with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
- Admin deleted the account.
How To Fix Microsoft Error Code AADSTS51004Â
Here are some solutions you can try if you get Microsoft error code AADSTS51004; the user account does not exist in the directory in any Microsoft 365 application:
Fix 1: Remove And Re-Add User Account
In some cases, the AD or Office 365 app may not have synced user accounts properly, resulting in the Microsoft error code AADSTS51004 error. It is possible to resolve this issue by removing the user account from our AD Connect server and adding it back again to sync. You can do this by following these steps:
- Navigate to the Azure Admin Center, then tap on the Settings.
- After that, click on Domains.
- On the right side, click Delete next to the domain account you want to change.
- You will then need to follow the prompts and directions to complete the process. To finish, click Close.
NOTE:Â If you wish to make the above change in AD, you must have administrative privileges.
In order to synchronize again with Office 365, go to the login page, sign out, and sign back in again.
Fix 2: Invite External User
You need to add B2B collaboration users to the directory in order to resolve Microsoft error code AADSTS51004. Here are the steps to do so.
- In the Azure portal, sign in as a User Administrator. External users can also be invited by roles with Guest Inviter privileges.
- Visit the Users section of Azure Active Directory.
- Then select Invite external user.
You can then add and customize the existing profile. In the end, you can add a tenancy to it, and then everything should be fine.
Fix 3: Add The User As a Guest
There is no account for the account in the MS account directory, as stated in the error message. So, possibilities are there that Office 365 apps are not signing in correctly using the tenant’s details. If you have administrative privileges, you can add the user as a guest. Here are the steps you need to follow;
-  To log in, visit the Azure portal and select User Administrator. Guests can also be invited using an account with permission.
- Go to Azure Active Directory and select Users. In the new menu, click Invite external users.
By adding the guest’s email address to your tenant, you can add them to your tenant’s list. You can, however, create a guest user with a domain account by following these steps:
- To manage user accounts, go to User Administrator > Azure Active Directory > Users.
- Afterwards, click All Users > New Guest User.
- Then, hit the Create new user.
- Under the User type, make sure you choose Guest.
Note: To invite a guest, enter their email address, pick a display username, and personalize a message. It is okay to CC another recipient if you feel it is necessary. In the last step, click Review + Invite and then select Next: Properties. On the screen, follow the directions to add other details.
Fix 4: Use The Right Account Credentials
Microsoft error code AADSTS51004 occur when users use a different account than the account created by the specific administrator to sign in to an Office 365 application. If you have this problem, make sure you use only the credentials that were used to create the guest or user account. Ask your administrator or the person who invited you if you are unsure.
Additional Troubleshooting Methods:
- Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):Â Adding MFA to your account adds an extra layer of security. To reduce the likelihood of errors caused by compromised credentials, consider using MFA if AADSTS51004 persists.
- Update Applications:Â Make sure the applications or services that attempt to authenticate are running the latest versions. Incompatible applications may cause authentication errors when they attempt to connect to Azure Active Directory.
- Check Service Outages:Â Go to the Microsoft Azure Status Page to find out if there are any ongoing interruptions. It is likely that AADSTS51004 is a result of temporary issues on Microsoft’s end and that the issue will be resolved once the service has been restored.
What Are The Prevention Strategies?
- Regular Password Updates:Â It is recommended that users change their passwords frequently to minimize the possibility of account compromise. By implementing password policies within your organization, you can improve authentication security.
- Educate Users:Â Secure authentication practices should be taught to users, such as how to recognize phishing attempts and how to create a strong, unique password. By doing so, the chances of falling victim to a security threat can be significantly reduced.
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It can be frustrating to deal with Office 365 error codes as a user or administrator. But now you know how to fix the Microsoft error code AADSTS51004 issue. Having said that, I’ll end this article and hope you find it helpful. Nevertheless, if you have any further issues, comment below and let us know.