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How to Fix Microsoft Entra Connect Sync for Contractor Email Addresses

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are experiencing an issue where contractor email addresses do not reflect changes in Microsoft Entra ID after modifying the proxyAddresses and mail attributes in the on-premises Active Directory.

Product: Microsoft Entra ID / Exchange Hybrid
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Updating contractor email addresses in a hybrid Exchange and Active Directory environment.
Observed behavior: Contractor email addresses remain unchanged in Microsoft Entra ID despite updates made to on-premises AD attributes.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary administrative privileges on the Microsoft Entra Connect server and access to the Synchronization Service Manager.

Solution 1Recommended

Review Source Attributes and Sync Rules

Check the primary SMTP address formatting, synchronization scope, and Microsoft Entra Connect rules to ensure proper export.

In a hybrid Exchange environment, synchronization rules and specific attributes determine which email address is exported to Microsoft Entra ID. Misconfigurations here are the most common cause of failed attribute updates.

Verify ProxyAddresses formatting

Check the 'proxyAddresses' attribute in your on-premises Active Directory to ensure the primary email address starts with an uppercase 'SMTP:' prefix, while aliases use a lowercase 'smtp:'.

Check synchronization scope

Review your Microsoft Entra Connect rules to confirm that the specific contractor object falls within the active synchronization scope and is not being filtered out.

Force a delta sync cycle

Open PowerShell on your Entra Connect server and run the command to force a delta sync, ensuring the object is included in the next synchronization process.

Review synchronization errors

Open the Synchronization Service Manager on the Entra Connect server and check the operations tab for any export or import errors related to the contractor's object.

Solution 2

Consult Exchange Hybrid Management Specialists

If local configuration checks do not resolve the issue, consult Microsoft Q&A specialists for in-depth hybrid environment analysis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't the proxyAddresses attribute update in Microsoft Entra ID?

This usually occurs due to misconfigured synchronization rules, the user object falling out of the sync scope, or formatting errors in on-premises AD, such as missing the uppercase 'SMTP:' prefix for the primary address.

How do I force a sync cycle in Microsoft Entra Connect?

You can force a delta sync cycle by opening an elevated PowerShell prompt on your Entra Connect server and executing the command: Start-ADSyncSyncCycle -PolicyType Delta.

Does WPS Office require a Microsoft Entra ID account to function?

No, WPS Office operates independently and can be used without a Microsoft Entra ID or Microsoft 365 account, making it an excellent, hassle-free standalone solution for external contractors.

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