Troubleshooting custom authentication

Custom authentication in Power Pages allows organizations to implement unique, external authentication mechanisms (e.g., OAuth, SSO, custom login) instead of using the default authentication mechanisms like Azure AD or local portal authentication. While custom authentication provides flexibility, it can also introduce challenges such as login failures, session issues, or user access problems. Troubleshooting these issues effectively is critical for ensuring smooth user authentication and access control.

This guide will walk you through the steps for troubleshooting custom authentication in Power Pages.

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1. Understanding Custom Authentication in Power Pages

Custom authentication in Power Pages is typically used to integrate with external identity providers or to customize the way users authenticate with the portal. This could involve:

• OAuth-based authentication (e.g., Google, Facebook, or a custom OAuth provider)
• Single Sign-On (SSO) integration with corporate identity systems
• Custom login flows designed specifically for the organization’s needs

When implementing custom authentication, it’s crucial that the configuration is done correctly on both the Power Pages and identity provider sides. Any misconfiguration could lead to login failures or incorrect user sessions.

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2. Common Symptoms of Custom Authentication Issues

Common issues encountered when using custom authentication include:

• Login Failures: Users are unable to log in or receive generic error messages like “Invalid credentials” or “Unauthorized.”
• Session Expiry: Users are logged out unexpectedly or are unable to stay logged in.
• Redirect Loops: The authentication page keeps redirecting the user between the portal and the identity provider.
• Access Denied Errors: Even after logging in, users receive “Access Denied” or “You do not have permission to access this page” errors.

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3. Troubleshooting Steps

3.1. Verify Custom Authentication Configuration

Start by verifying that the custom authentication configuration in Power Pages is set up correctly:

1. Check the Authentication Settings in Power Pages:
   • Navigate to the Power Pages Admin Center and review the authentication settings.
   • Ensure that the correct authentication provider is selected (e.g., OAuth, SSO).
   • Verify that the client ID, client secret, and redirect URI are properly configured according to the settings of your external identity provider.
2. Check Identity Provider Configuration:
   • Ensure that the identity provider (e.g., Azure AD, Google, or a custom OAuth provider) is configured to allow the Power Pages portal to authenticate users.
   • Verify that the authentication endpoints (e.g., token endpoint, authorization endpoint) are correctly set in both the Power Pages and identity provider configurations.
3. Cross-Check Redirect URIs:
   • Make sure the redirect URIs used by the Power Pages and the identity provider match exactly. If the redirect URI is incorrect or mismatched, the authentication flow may fail.
4. Ensure Token Expiry and Session Handling:
   • Check that the token expiration settings in both the Power Pages and identity provider configurations are appropriate. Expired tokens could cause session issues and force frequent re-authentication.

3.2. Review Error Messages and Logs

Error messages and logs are often the most direct way to pinpoint what’s going wrong:

1. Check the Portal Logs:
   • In the Power Pages Admin Center, access the Portal Diagnostics Tool to review any authentication-related logs.
   • Look for error messages related to authentication failures, authorization errors, or token issues. These logs may provide clues about what’s going wrong during the authentication process.
2. Review Identity Provider Logs:
   • Check the logs or diagnostics of your identity provider (e.g., Azure AD or custom OAuth server). Often, these logs provide more specific information on why the authentication request was rejected (e.g., invalid credentials, missing scope, or misconfigured permissions).
   • Look for failed login attempts and any messages related to token validation failures or session timeouts.

3.3. Test the Authentication Flow

It’s essential to test the custom authentication flow thoroughly:

1. Test with Different User Roles:
   • Test the authentication flow using different user roles. Ensure that the issue is not tied to specific user permissions or roles within the portal.
   • Verify that the correct role-based access control (RBAC) settings are applied to the users after authentication.
2. Test Using Different Browsers/Devices:
   • Sometimes, browser or device-specific issues can interfere with the authentication flow. Test the portal on multiple browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, etc.) and different devices to rule out compatibility issues.
3. Simulate the Login Process:
   • Manually simulate the login process by triggering the authentication flow and observing any errors or redirects that occur.
   • Ensure that all redirects and token exchanges happen as expected.

3.4. Check for Redirect Loops

A redirect loop occurs when the user is redirected between the portal and the identity provider multiple times without successfully completing the login process. This is often caused by misconfigured redirect URIs or session issues.

1. Verify Redirect URI Configurations:
   • Check that the redirect URIs configured in both Power Pages and the identity provider match exactly. Even a small mismatch can cause redirect loops.
2. Check Session Management Settings:
   • Look at the session management settings for both the Power Pages portal and identity provider. Ensure that session cookies are correctly set, and that the user session is maintained throughout the authentication process.
3. Clear Browser Cache:
   • Clear the browser cache and cookies to rule out any issues with old session data that might be causing the redirect loop.

3.5. Debugging Token Issues

Token issues are often the root cause of authentication failures. Tokens are used to authenticate and authorize users, and incorrect configurations can lead to token errors.

1. Check Token Expiry:
   • Ensure that the token expiration time is correctly configured. If the token expires too quickly or is not refreshed correctly, users may experience frequent logouts.
2. Verify Token Format:
   • Review the format of the token (JWT, OAuth token, etc.). Ensure that the token issued by the identity provider is correctly formatted and valid.
   • Use tools like JWT.io to decode the token and verify its contents (claims, expiration, etc.).
3. Inspect Token Scopes:
   • Verify that the token has the necessary scopes for the portal. If the token does not have the required permissions (e.g., read or write on Dataverse records), access may be denied even after successful authentication.

3.6. Check for Access Denied Issues

After successful authentication, users may still face issues accessing specific pages or data due to insufficient permissions:

1. Verify User Role Mapping:
   • Check that users are assigned the appropriate Web Roles within the portal. If the user’s role doesn’t have the necessary permissions to access specific data or pages, they may see an “Access Denied” error after login.
2. Review Entity Permissions:
   • Ensure that the correct entity permissions are configured for each user role. Users should have access to the necessary records and pages as defined in the Portal Management settings.
3. Test with Minimal Permissions:
   • Temporarily assign minimal permissions (e.g., Read access to a basic page) to see if the issue persists. This can help isolate whether the issue is related to role-based access control or the authentication process itself.