Error "Metadata for entity and role IDPSSODescriptor wasn't found" When Trying to Authenticate with SAML
Published: 01 Feb 2018 Last Modified Date: 20 Jul 2023
Issue
When trying to authenticate with SAML, the following error may occur,
Error "Metadata for entity and role IDPSSODescriptor wasn't found"
Environment
Tableau Server
SAML Authentication
Windows Server 2012
Resolution
The IdP metadata file needs to be in a folder accessible by the Run As User account. Preferably, as our documentation states "You should use this location because the user account that runs Tableau Server has the necessary permissions for accessing this folder."
Cause
If the metadata file along with the certificate and key files are placed in a folder, which are not accessible by the Run As User account, then the SAML authentication process will fail.
Additional Information
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