Update on the Outlook password query

08.11.2023 12:30 p.m.

The Exchange malfunction is over. The original error has not occurred since Thursday last week (02.11.2023). All incidents still reported could be assigned to other error patterns. The analyses have not yet been fully completed, but it has been clarified that the cause lay in the interaction between Active Directory and Exchange. Troubleshooting was made more difficult by the fact that other services connected to the Active Directory were not affected and the error could not be reliably reproduced despite frequent occurrences.

Note: Under certain conditions, Outlook in particular will continue to require the password to be entered. This behaviour is normal and has nothing to do with the error. It occurs in particular when the network is changed (e.g. from TU-LAN to eduroam, disconnection from VPN or similar). It is often possible to avoid having to enter the password again by following the procedure communicated at the beginning of the fault: Cancel the password prompt, then click on “Password required” in the Outlook status bar. After starting Outlook, it may be necessary to enter the password once.

If you enter the password, make sure that the login name is correct (“ADS\” and your TU-ID).

06.11.2023 1:00 p.m.

As far as the HRZ is aware, the problem with the recurring Outlook password query has not recurred since Thursday (2 November). It is still not possible to determine the cause beyond doubt and it is being investigated further.

01.11.23 11:00 a.m.

Since yesterday at noon (31.10.) the problem with the recurring Outlook password query has no longer occurred. Even though the cause of the problem problem has not yet been identified, the situation seems to be easing.

We are continuing to work on the analysis of the original problem. We will inform you when there is news.

31.10.2023 9:00 a.m.

At around 2:30 p.m. on Monday (30.10.), settings were made which seem to significantly reduce the problem for users. On the server side, errors are still being observed and the cause has not yet been completely solved. Therefore, no all-clear can be given yet.

30.10.2023 10:00 a.m.

The problem persists. We will inform with news.

27.10.2023 3:50 p.m.

We have still not been able to identify the cause of the problem.

With Thunderbird via IMAP, e-mails can apparently be processed largely without interference. However, delayed delivery is to be expected.

With Outlook, cases have been reported of e-mails getting stuck in the outbox folder due to the disconnections. Even when the connection is re-established later, Outlook does not send the mails and the actions “Send all” and “Refresh folder” in the menu ribbon “Send/Receive” remain ineffective.

Observed remedy: Open one of the e-mails in the outbox and click on “Send”.

26.10.2023 12:15 p.m.

Unfortunately, we are not yet closer to a solution to the problem and the further duration is not yet foreseeable.

25.10.2023

Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to solve the cause of the problem. However, based on some feedback, we have again specified and extended the “workaround” from the malfunction report of 19.10..

The instructions work in many cases, but not in all. It “works” means: It can be avoided having to type or paste the password every time the prompt appears. It cannot prevent the repeated appearance of the prompt itself (this is a symptom of the still unresolved glitch).

Link to PDF instructions (only german version) (opens in new tab)

If the instructions do not help you as described or if the appearance of the prompt nevertheless disturbs your workflow too much, we can currently only recommend using the web interface (OWA) until the problem is solved: https://mail.tu-darmstadt.de.

How to use function mailboxes with OWA is explained in the groupware instructions : Switch to a function mailbox