When connecting to SharePoint Online via PowerShell, many administrators encounter the error, i.e., Connect-SPOService: Could Not Connect to SharePoint Online. It occurs due to outdated PowerShell modules, incorrect admin URLs, modern authentication issues, or multi-factor authentication settings.
In this guide, we will discuss the top 7 tested solutions to get away from this error permanently. So, let’s get started.
User’s Query:- I am new to SharePoint and PowerShell. I am trying to connect to SharePoint Online using PowerShell, but I encounter the Connect-SPOService error. I am frustrated with this issue. If anyone knows how to resolve it, please reply as soon as possible.
Table of Contents
Reasons for Could Not Connect to SharePoint Online Error
There are numerous reasons why SharePoint administrators face connection issues to connecting to SharePoint Online using PowerShell. Some of them are as follows:
- Legacy authentication is blocked in your environment
- Incorrect Admin URL while connecting to SharePoint Online.
- An older version of the SP Online management shell.
- Using PowerShell 7 or above also creates compatibility issues with SharePoint.
- Enabling Multi-factor authentication in the admin account.
7 Solutions to Resolve Connect-SPOService: Could not connect to SharePoint Online Error
In the past, I faced this exact issue myself. Fortunately, I found seven solutions which helped me resolve it. In the section below, I’ll explain all of them in detail with step-by-step instructions. Let’s understand!
Solution #1. Use Modern Authentication Parameter
The Connect-SPOService command uses older authentication, which sometimes creates issues in the execution. So, you can add the modern authentication parameter in the command to fix this error permanently. By default, this cmdlet works on the legacy authentication. This issue might occur if you add an AD FS rule to block the legacy authentication requests that don’t originate from the expected IP.
$creds = Get-Credential Connect-SPOService -Credential $creds -Url “enter tenant URL” -ModernAuth $true -AuthenticationUrl?https://login.microsoftonline.com/organizations
Solution #2. Use Correct Admin URL
There can be spelling mistakes or incorrect admin URLs. You need to cross-check it and also validate it by signing in to the admin centre. Make sure you follow the syntax below.
https://<tenant-name>-admin.sharepoint.com
Solution #3. Use the Updated SharePoint Online Management Shell
If you’re using the SharePoint Online management shell, a previous version. Then it can cause several other issues apart from the could not connect to SharePoint Online error. So, it is required to update SharePoint Online management shell.
Update-Module -Name Microsoft.Online.SharePoint.PowerShell
Solution #4. Use PowerShell Version 5.1
SharePoint Online is not compatible with the latest PowerShell version. You can check your PowerShell version with the command below.
$PSVersionTable.PSVersion
If it is found to be 7 or above, then you need to downgrade it to PowerShell 5.1.
Solution #5. Use Connect-PnPOnline Instead of Connect-SPOService
For the MFA-enabled accounts, the Connect-SPOService command creates issues. So, you can use the Connect-PnPOnline to resolve the error.
Solution #6. Use Admin Account
Non-admin accounts cannot connect to SharePoint Online or even show SharePoint 2013 HTTP 404 not found. So, make sure you are connecting the admin account to the SharePoint tenant.
Solution #7. Solve Proxy Issues
If you are using the proxy, then use the following commands to get rid of Connect-SPOService: Could Not Connect to SharePoint Online error.
$Details = [System.Net.CredentialCache]::DefaultCredentials [System.Net.WebRequest]::DefaultWebProxy.Credentials = $Details
If you are trying to connect to SharePoint Online to perform SharePoint tenant to tenant migration. Then you do not need to do so. You can simply use the SharePoint Migration Tool to perform a seamless migration. This tool is recommended by SharePoint migration experts.
Using this tool, SharePoint admins can move their data to another account. It supports bulk migration and also provides a date filter to sort the document lists and libraries.
Final Words
In this write-up, we have discussed how to resolve the Connect-SPOService: Could not connect to SharePoint Online error. You can use any of the solutions to troubleshoot this issue. But use the PowerShell commands carefully to avoid any data loss or corruption issues.
People Also Ask
Q1. What does Connect-SPOService do in PowerShell?
Connect-SPOService is a PowerShell cmdlet used to connect to the SharePoint Online admin center for managing the SharePoint tenant.
Q2. Why is Connect-SPOService not working with MFA?
The Connect-SPOService cmdlet does not support modern authentication or MFA. Use Connect-PnPOnline -Interactive instead to bypass this issue.
Q3. How do I fix the Connect-SPOService authentication error?
Make sure you:
- Use the correct admin URL
- Include -ModernAuth $true
- Use PowerShell 5.1
Q4. Is Connect-SPOService compatible with PowerShell 7?
No. It only works with Windows PowerShell 5.1. PowerShell 7+ is not supported.
Q5. What URL should I use with Connect-SPOService?
Use this format:
https://<tenant-name>-youradminname.sharepoint.com