How to Fix the InfoPath 'Your Account Is in a Bad State' Error
Question details
Users encounter a 'Your account is in a bad state' error message when attempting to sign in to InfoPath with a work account, preventing access to SharePoint lists.
- Product
- Microsoft InfoPath
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Signing in to InfoPath using a work account equipped with multifactor authentication (MFA) to connect to Office 365 or SharePoint.
- Observed behavior
- InfoPath fails to display the correct multifactor authentication screen and instead shows an error message stating that the account is in a bad state.
Ensure you have administrative privileges to access the Windows Registry Editor, as updating authentication protocols for legacy Office applications typically requires adding specific registry keys.
Enable Active Directory Authentication Library (ADAL)
Configure your system registry to force InfoPath to use modern authentication, which correctly displays multifactor authentication prompts.
Legacy Office applications like InfoPath do not natively trigger modern authentication screens when connecting to SharePoint. Enabling ADAL through the registry forces the application to use modern authentication protocols, resolving the sign-in block.
Press the Windows Key + R, type 'regedit' in the Run dialog box, and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Common\Identity (If you are using Office 2016, look for the '16.0' folder instead).
Right-click the Identity folder, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it 'EnableADAL', and set its value data to 1.
Right-click again, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it 'Version', and set its value data to 1.
Close the Registry Editor, restart your computer or InfoPath, and attempt to sign in again to verify the MFA screen loads correctly.
Verify Global Account Status
Check whether the error is isolated to InfoPath or if there is a broader issue with your Microsoft 365 account.
Avoid Legacy Authentication Issues with WPS Office
If you are frustrated by complex sign-in errors and legacy authentication issues in Microsoft Office, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, modern, and highly compatible alternative for all your productivity needs.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to install the suite.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files without compatibility issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does InfoPath say 'Your account is in a bad state'?
This error generally occurs when InfoPath connects to SharePoint or Office 365 requiring multifactor authentication (MFA), but the software is missing the necessary configuration to display the modern sign-in prompts correctly.
What is ADAL and why does InfoPath need it?
ADAL stands for Active Directory Authentication Library. It is required for older applications like InfoPath to bridge the gap and support modern authentication protocols, including MFA and secure single sign-on.
Will reinstalling Microsoft Office fix this authentication error?
Typically, reinstalling Office or InfoPath will not resolve this specific issue because it stems from registry configurations related to modern authentication protocols. Manually enabling ADAL in the registry is the most effective solution.
How can I check if my account is actually locked or restricted?
You can verify your account status by trying to sign in to the Microsoft 365 web portal or another Office desktop app like Excel. If you log in successfully, your account is not locked, meaning the error is strictly isolated to InfoPath's authentication capability.
