Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) in Office 365 is a useful feature that allow users to change their own passwords without relying on IT administrator. Without SSPR enabled, users attempting to reset their passwords encounter errors like, “You can’t reset your own password because password reset isn’t set up for your organization,” leading to frustration and potential downtime. By enabling SSPR, you not only empower employees to manage their passwords independently but also reduce the workload on IT teams. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough to efficiently set up and configure SSPR in your Office 365 environment, ensuring a seamless and productive experience for your organization.
Step 1: Access the Azure Admin Center or Identity Portal
- Log in to the Microsoft Azure Portal with your global administrator credentials.
- Search Entra ID in the search at top bottom.
- In the left-hand menu, select Password reset Under the Protection in the Left navigation pane.
Step 2: Configure Self-Service Password Reset Policies
Enable SSPR for Users
- Under the Password reset menu, select Properties.
- Set the Self-service password reset enabled option to Selected or All:
- All: Activates SSPR for all users in your directory.
- Selected: Allows SSPR for specific user groups.
- If you choose Selected, click Select groups and specify the desired user groups. Check out the article on how to create Security group.
- Save your settings by clicking Save.
Step 3: Configure Authentication Methods
- In the Password reset section, go to Authentication methods.
- Specify the number of methods users must verify before resetting their password (e.g., 1 or 2).
- Select authentication methods from the following options:
- Mobile app notification
- Mobile app code
- Security questions
- Phone call
Security Questions Configuration
- Define the required number of security questions.
- Set up a pool of security questions users can choose from.
- Customize the questions as necessary to align with organizational policies.
Step 4: Customize Notifications
- Navigate to Notifications under the Password reset menu.
- Enable the following options as needed:
- Notify users on password resets: Sends email notifications to users after a password reset.
- Notify admins on password reset: Alerts administrators about password resets for auditing purposes.
- Click Save to apply your changes.
Step 5: Test and Validate SSPR
- Select a test user account included in the SSPR policy.
- Instruct the user to navigate to the Password Reset Portal.
- Simulate a password reset to ensure the process works as intended:
- Verify authentication methods.
- Reset the password and confirm successful login.
Step 6: Roll Out to the Organization
Educate Users
- Share documentation or guides on how to use SSPR.
- Provide training sessions or webinars for end-users.
Monitor Usage
- Use the Audit Logs in Azure Active Directory to monitor SSPR activities.
- Ensure no unauthorized attempts are being made.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Authentication Method Not Working
- Verify that the selected authentication methods are configured correctly.
- Ensure users have up-to-date contact information in their profiles.
Users Unable to Access SSPR
- Confirm that the user account is included in the enabled group.
- Check if the Self-service password reset enabled setting is applied correctly.
Notifications Not Being Sent
- Verify that email settings are correctly configured in your tenant.
- Check spam or junk folders for misplaced notifications.
By implementing Self-Service Password Reset, organizations can improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and empower users with greater control over their accounts.
