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If you’ve been using Azure Synapse to connect to a SharePoint Online List with a Linked Service and suddenly it stops working, you’re not alone. Many users have faced similar issues where the connection worked perfectly for years and then suddenly fails across both testing and production environments on the same day.
You might see an error message like this:
“Failed to get metadata of OData service,” with an expected status code of 200 but an actual status code of Unauthorized. Sometimes, you’ll see an error indicating “invalid_request.”
So, what’s going on, and how can you fix this? Here’s a straightforward guide to troubleshoot and resolve the problem.
First, check the sign-in logs of your service principal—ensure they show success. If the logs indicate a successful sign-in, then the authentication process is likely fine from the service’s perspective. You should verify that the resource you’re connecting to is correct, such as Office 365 SharePoint Online. Also, confirm that API endpoints like _api/web and _api/web/lists are accessible and returning data properly.
Next, review the app permissions assigned to your Azure AD app registration. The permissions should include:
– Sites.Read.All
– Sites.Manage.All
– Sites.FullControl.All
These are necessary to access and manage SharePoint data through the API.
You might also run a manual token test to see if you can acquire a SharePoint token using the client credentials grant. If this test is successful and SharePoint responds with a token, then the problem may be related to how the token is used or interpreted by the service.
In some cases, SharePoint may return a message like “Unsupported app only token.” This usually indicates that SharePoint is rejecting the token because of recent changes, such as the retirement of the Azure Container Service (ACS) or SharePoint’s rejection of Entra app-only tokens.
Have you seen failure messages like this after those changes? It’s a common issue when SharePoint online begins enforcing stricter authentication policies or updates its token requirements.
To fix this, you should:
1. Verify your app registration in Azure AD and make sure it has the correct permissions.
2. Check that your app is configured to use the latest authentication standards required by SharePoint Online.
3. If you’re using app-only tokens, consider re-registering your app or updating the app permissions. Sometimes, SharePoint online has shifted to use different token types or authentication flows post-ACS retirement.
It is also helpful to consult with your SharePoint administrator or support to ensure that your app’s registration aligns with current security policies.
If the problem persists after these steps, consider creating a new app registration with fresh permissions and try connecting again. This often resolves issues caused by outdated or misconfigured app settings.
In summary, when your Azure Synapse SharePoint connector suddenly fails, double-check permissions, ensure your app registration is up to date, and verify the use of correct token types as per the latest SharePoint requirements. Staying on top of recent SharePoint and Azure updates will help maintain a smooth connection.
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