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How to Fix Distribution Group Owner Update Errors in Exchange Admin Center
Question details
Users encounter update and cmdlet errors when attempting to manage distribution group owners in the new Exchange Admin Center, despite having the MyDistributionGroups policy enabled.
- Product
- Exchange Admin Center
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A distribution group owner tries to modify or update group settings using the new Exchange Admin Center portal.
- Observed behavior
- The system throws update and cmdlet errors preventing the owner from managing their groups, even though MyDistributionGroups permissions appear to be granted in the user policy.
Ensure you are logged in with an account that has Exchange Administrator or Global Administrator privileges to modify role assignment policies.
Verify and Re-enable the Default Role Assignment Policy
Confirm that the MyDistributionGroups role is actively enabled in the user's role assignment policy within the new Exchange Admin Center.
The new Exchange Admin Center enforces role permissions more strictly than the legacy Outlook-based portal. Re-applying the policy ensures the permissions sync correctly.
Log in to the new Exchange Admin Center portal using your administrator credentials.
In the left-hand navigation pane, click on Roles and select User roles from the expanded menu.
Locate and click on the Default Role Assignment Policy (or the specific custom policy assigned to the affected users) in the list.
Click on Manage permissions, locate the MyDistributionGroups checkbox, ensure it is enabled, and save your changes.
Provide Temporary Administrator Assistance and Submit Feedback
If backend sync glitches in the new portal prevent owners from managing groups, administrators should intervene while escalating the issue.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did distribution group management work before but fails in the new EAC?
The previous Outlook-based portal allowed owners to manage their groups organically. The new Exchange Admin Center relies on a stricter permission architecture, requiring the 'MyDistributionGroups' Exchange permission to be explicitly granted and synced.
What exactly does the MyDistributionGroups role allow users to do?
This specific Exchange role grants end-users the necessary permissions to create, modify, and view distribution groups, as well as manage the membership list for any distribution groups they currently own.
Can I manage distribution groups outside of the Exchange Admin Center?
Yes, global administrators can also manage distribution lists directly from the standard Microsoft 365 admin center by navigating to Teams & groups > Active teams and groups > Distribution lists.
