---
title: Missing Redirect URL
slug: missing-redirect-url
createdAt: 2025-06-11T20:26:17.824Z
---

## Issue Summary

Users encounter an authentication error when starting Activate Studio, displaying the message: "A configuration issue is preventing authentication - check the error message from the server for details."

## Error Details

- **Error Code**: AADSTS700218
- **Error Message**: "The request body must contain the following parameter: 'client\_assertion' or 'client\_secret'"
- **Affected Product**: Activate Studio
- **Root Cause**: Missing redirect URL configuration in Azure AD application registration for Activate Studio

## Symptoms

- Activate Studio fails to authenticate during startup
- Authentication dialog displays configuration error
- Users cannot proceed past the login screen in Activate Studio
- Error references trace ID and correlation ID for troubleshooting

## Root Cause

The Azure AD application registration for Activate Studio is missing the required redirect URL (`http://localhost`) for the Mobile and Desktop Application platform configuration. This prevents the authentication flow from completing successfully when users launch Activate Studio.

## Resolution Steps

### Step 1: Access Azure Portal

1. Navigate to the [Azure Portal](https://portal.azure.com/)
2. Sign in with administrative credentials
3. Go to **Entra ID** > **App registrations**
4. Locate and select your Activate Studio application registration

### Step 2: Configure Platform Settings

1. In the app registration, select **Authentication** from the left menu
2. Under **Platform configurations**, look for **Mobile and desktop applications**
3. If the platform doesn't exist, click **Add a platform** and select **Mobile and desktop applications**

### Step 3: Add Redirect URL

1. In the **Mobile and desktop applications **section, add the following redirect URL:

   ```text
   http://localhost
   ```
2. Ensure the URL is entered exactly as shown (no trailing slash, no port number)
3. Click **Save** to apply the changes

### Step 4: Verify Configuration

1. Confirm the redirect URL appears in the list
2. Check that the platform is properly configured
3. Note the Application (client) ID for reference

### Step 5: Test Activate Studio Authentication

1. Restart Activate Studio
2. Attempt to authenticate
3. Verify successful login completion

## Prevention

- Always include `http://localhost` as a redirect URL when configuring Azure AD for Activate Studio
- Document platform-specific redirect URLs during initial Activate Studio setup
- Include authentication configuration in Activate Studio deployment checklists
- Test authentication flows in all target environments before deploying Activate Studio

## Additional Notes

- This configuration is specifically required for Activate Studio as a native application
- Web applications require different redirect URL formats
- Changes to Azure AD configuration may take a few minutes to propagate
- Always test Activate Studio authentication after making configuration changes

## Related Information

- [Azure AD App Registration Documentation](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/develop/quickstart-register-app)
- [Redirect URI Configuration Guidelines](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/develop/reply-url)
- [Native Application Authentication Flows](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/develop/authentication-flows-app-scenarios)

## Support Information

If this resolution doesn't solve the Activate Studio authentication issue:

1. Verify the Application (client) ID matches your Activate Studio configuration
2. Check that the user has appropriate permissions to access Activate Studio
3. Review Azure AD audit logs for additional error details
4. Contact your system administrator or Azure support for further assistance