How to fix error AADSTS50196 on Microsoft web properties?

This post was most recently updated on March 20th, 2021.

This article explains how to fix error with error code AADSTS50196. This issue usually comes up with an error message somewhat like “The server terminated an operation because it encountered a client request loop.”

The error seems to be popping up more and more often. No worries – it wasn’t caused by you! It is, in fact, an unintended side effect of a security hardening feature in some browsers, and some outdated configuration on Microsoft’s end.

Obviously, you could run into the issue on other sites as well, and the workaround is actually the same. The example error messages on this article will be from Microsoft, however.

But let’s first take a step back. What exactly does happen?

Problem

So, what is AADSTS50196 error, and when do you encounter it?

The actual error message seems to usually be “AADSTS50196: The server terminated an operation because it encountered a client request loop. Please contact your app vendor“, but as with most AAD-related error messages, I’m sure this one can vary, too.

Typically, you run into it somewhat like this – when navigating to a website hosted by Microsoft – and, crucially, offering a log-in provided by Microsoft – you are unable to proceed and encounter an error message like below:

Sorry, but we’re having trouble signing you in.

AADSTS50196: The server terminated an operation because it encountered a client request loop. Please contact your app vendor.
Troubleshooting details
If you contact your administrator, send this info to them.

Request Id: 
[omitted]
Correlation Id: [omitted] 
Timestamp: 
[omitted]
Message: AADSTS50196: The server terminated an operation because it encountered a client request loop. Please contact your app vendor.

Advanced diagnostics:
If you plan on getting support for an issue, turn this on and try to reproduce the error. This will collect additional information that will help troubleshoot the issue.

This ugly error is likely thrown at you as soon as you try to access the website.

Due to the implicit authentication happening behind the scenes, the error might stop you from accessing sites such as microsoft.com, MSDN subscriber downloads or even Microsoft Store.

Solution

There’s a couple of different solutions to this issue – but the actually root cause is with the way Microsoft handles authentication to their web properties. You can’t solve that. But the steps below aim to remediate the issue somewhat and should help – at least temporarily!

And you should be good! These are the 2 quick ways how you can (locally) fix “error code 50196” or “AADSTS50196” -issues, or at least alleviate the symptoms temporarily, since the issue is likely caused by the maintainer of the site (likely Microsoft).

If it didn’t help, let me know in the comments section below! :)

References

• https://github.com/AzureAD/MSAL.PS/issues/10
• https://github.com/AzureAD/microsoft-authentication-library-for-dotnet/issues/1788
• https://github.com/AzureAD/microsoft-authentication-library-for-js/issues/547
• https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/edgeaadsts50196-the-server-terminated-an-operation/62abbf9a-678d-4fa4-a943-e58136ec3ed3?auth=1

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Antti K. Koskela

Developer / Speaker / Consultant at Koskila / Valo Solutions Ltd. / Norppandalotti Software Co / Alter - Experience Ideas Ltd.

Antti Koskela is a proud digital native nomadic millennial full stack developer (is that enough funny buzzwords? That's definitely enough funny buzzwords!), who works as a Solutions Architect for Valo Intranet, the product that will make you fall in love with your intranet.

He's been a developer from 2004 (starting with PHP and Java), and he's been bending and twisting SharePoint into different shapes since MOSS. Nowadays he's not only working on SharePoint, but also on .NET projects, Azure, Office 365 and a lot of other stuff. He's also Microsoft MVP for Office Development.

This is his personal professional (e.g. professional, but definitely personal) blog.

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