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Fix Cannot Add an Alias or Save User Changes in Microsoft 365
Question details
The user is unable to update user information or add an email alias for a verified domain in Microsoft 365 due to backend write-permission errors.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Updating user information and adding an alias for a verified domain via the Microsoft 365 admin center.
- Observed behavior
- The process fails with a source-server and target-domain-controller write-permission error, stating the target forest may not be an account partition of the source forest.
Gather your complete error message, tenant details, verified domain name, and the affected user's information before reaching out to support.
Open a Service Request in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center
Since this involves backend directory permissions and forest partition synchronization, it requires Microsoft Support intervention to investigate and resolve.
This specific error involving source-server and target-domain-controller write permissions cannot be resolved directly from the user-facing admin portal. It indicates a synchronization or permissions issue on Microsoft's backend, requiring their support team to investigate the directory permissions and sync logs.
Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center using your global admin credentials.
On the bottom right side of the admin dashboard, click on the 'Help & support' button or navigate to 'Support' > 'New service request' in the left-hand menu.
Provide a brief description of your problem, such as 'Cannot add alias, source-server and target-domain-controller write-permission error'.
In the ticket details, include the complete error message, the affected user email, the verified domain, your tenant details, and the exact steps you took to reproduce the issue.
Submit your service request and wait for a Microsoft support representative to contact you for a remote backend investigation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I getting a write-permission error when adding an alias in Microsoft 365?
This error typically occurs in hybrid environments or due to backend directory synchronization issues where the target forest is not recognized as an account partition of the source forest.
Can I fix this target-domain-controller error myself?
Usually, no. This error points to backend Microsoft 365 or Active Directory synchronization configuration problems that require the Microsoft Support team to investigate the backend logs.
How long does it take for Microsoft Support to fix alias errors?
Response times vary based on your specific Microsoft 365 support plan, but providing all necessary tenant details, affected users, and complete error logs upfront can significantly speed up the resolution process.
