what are common Authentication Issues in Salesforce?

Common authentication issues in Salesforce usually fall into a few categories related to user login, security settings, and integration authentication. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Incorrect Login Credentials Wrong username or password — The most basic issue; users might forget their credentials or enter them incorrectly.

Case sensitivity — Salesforce usernames aren’t case-sensitive, but passwords are.

1. Account Lockouts Exceeded login attempts — After multiple failed logins, Salesforce locks the account.

Password expiration — Organization password policies may force a reset after a set period.

1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Problems Lost or unconfigured MFA device — If a user changes phones or loses access to the authenticator app, they may be blocked.

Authenticator app sync issues — Time mismatch or app not generating correct codes.

1. IP Restrictions & Login Hours Login IP range restrictions — Salesforce admins can limit login access to specific IPs. Attempting from outside these ranges causes login failures.

Restricted login hours — Users trying to log in outside their allowed schedule will be blocked.

1. SSO (Single Sign-On) Errors Identity provider (IdP) misconfiguration — Incorrect SAML/OAuth settings or certificate mismatches.

Expired SSO certificate — Common in older SSO setups; certificate expiration breaks authentication.

User not provisioned in IdP — SSO works, but the user account isn’t linked.

1. Connected App & API Authentication Issues Invalid OAuth tokens — Tokens may expire or get revoked.

Incorrect Connected App settings — Callback URL, scopes, or permissions misconfigured.

API login restrictions — The profile or permission set might block API logins.

1. Browser or Network Issues Blocked cookies or scripts — Salesforce login pages require cookies and JavaScript enabled.

VPN/firewall interference — Some secure networks block Salesforce login requests.

✅ Best Practices to Avoid Authentication Issues

Keep passwords and MFA devices updated.

Review and renew SSO & OAuth certificates before expiration.

Document and test Connected App configurations.

Set up a backup MFA method for users.

Use the Salesforce Login History page to diagnose issues quickly.

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