Troubleshooting connection to SharePoint Online

Summary: Starting from the 7.1 version Cayosoft Administrator has the Enable Modern Authentication setting in the Microsoft 365 extension in the Advanced Settings section.

Due to current limitations in the Microsoft SharePoint module, when modern authentication is enabled, connecting to SharePoint Online service requires adding a registry subkey on the client computer to avoid connection issues. This key forces modern authentication when connecting to SharePoint Online. 

This article contains instructions on how to add the registry subkey on the client computer to force modern authentication that will resolve the errors with connection to SharePoint Online.

Applies to: Cayosoft Administrator 7.1.0 or later

ID: KB20210607-1

Typical Error Messages

Solutions

Add a registry subkey on the client's computer

You should add the registry subkey to HKEY_CURRENT_USER. The Cayosoft Administrator Service should be running under the same account used by the currently logged-in user. 

1. Get the current value to check if legacy authentication protocols are enabled:
   1. Connect to Sharepoint Online using a global admin account. Use the proper domain name, user log in and password:

      $username = "username@domainname.onmicrosoft.com"
      $password = "Password"
      $cred = New-Object -TypeName System.Management.Automation.PSCredential -argumentlist $userName, $(convertto-securestring $Password -asplaintext -force)
      Connect-SPOService -Url https://domainname-admin.sharepoint.com -Credential $cred

   2. Get the current state of legacy protocols:

      Get-SPOTenant | fl LegacyAuthProtocolsEnabled

2. Disable legacy authentication protocols:

   Set-SPOTenant -LegacyAuthProtocolsEnabled $false

3. Add a registry subkey on the client computer to force modern authentication. For details please see this Microsoft Article: Can't force Modern Authentication when using Connect-SPOService cmdlet in SharePoint Online Management Shell - SharePoint | Microsoft Docs.
4. Restart Cayosoft Administrator Service.

Run Prerequisites Check tool and ensure all Sharepoint components are installed

All details are described in this KB: Installing components for working with SharePoint Online

Remove odd DLLs from GAC

Sometimes Sharepoint DLLs are left in GAC after uninstalling the old SharePoint Online Management Shell MSI package. This causes errors in loading the new Sharepoint PowerShell module and working with its commands.

Perform the steps below to fix the issue:

1. Stop Cayosoft Adminisrator service.

2. In Programs and Features ensure that the following Sharepoint components are not installed:

• SharePoint Online Management Shell
• Microsoft Sharepoint Client Components

If any of these components is displayed, then uninstall it.

3. Open the PowerShell ISE console and run the commands

 Uninstall-Module Microsoft.Online.Sharepoint.PowerShell 

4. Open C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\assembly\GAC_MSIL and remove folders: 'Microsoft.SharePoint.Client' and 'Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.Runtime'.

5. Install the required Sharepoint components as described in the following article:

https://support.cayosoft.com/hc/en-us/articles/360016764551-Installing-components-for-working-with-SharePoint-Online

6. Start the Cayosoft Administrator service.

Check firewall settings

1. Check that URLs and ports required for the Sharepoint connection are opened: Required ports for Cayosoft Administrator – Cayosoft Help Center.