Share this article
Improve this guide
Why your SharePoint user profile doesn’t sync with AD
3 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
Share this article
Improve this guide
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more
SharePointis acollaborative softwaretool that is part of theMicrosoft Office Suite. As acollaborative tool, user connections are to be expected. Once added, you will also need to update, import and sync their information accordingly to stay updated.
There are plenty of methods one can use to add, import or sync users intoSharePoint, but the fastest and simplest way is through the use of Active Directory (AD).
It can be used as an alternative to using Microsoft Identity Manager (MIM) to import user profile data from Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) in your domain.
One limitation is that AD import only works with Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) and does not work with other directory services. More so, if you use AD Import, MIM or other external identity managers are not available for connections to other data sources such as business applications.
Despite being the fasted sync and import method, Active Directory does have a few situations when it won’t do its job properly.
Why won’t my SharePoint user profile sync with AD?
Here is a list of when and why Active Directory Sync and import may not work:
Things to know about Active Directory
Things that Active Directory cannot do
Looking for an alternative to SharePoint? Check out this article for some alternatives
Scenarios that Active Directory does not allow
Conclusion
By using this checklist, you should be able to avoid situations that ould otherwise prevent you from using Active Directory efficiently. However, if none of them can be avoided, remember that there are other methods of importing and syncing user profiles intoSharePoint, albeit maybe more complicated.
Do you use Active Directory as an import method, or do you prefer a different one? Share your opinion with us in the comments section below.
More about the topics:Sharepoint issues
Teodor Nechita
Eager to help those in need, Teodor writes articles daily on subjects regarding Windows, Xbox, and all things tech-related.
When not working, you may usually find him either at the gym or taking a stroll in the park, trying to find inspiration for the next articles he may write.
User forum
0 messages
Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes
Comment*
Name*
Email*
Commenting as.Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
Teodor Nechita