How am I supposed to deal with this absolute bullshit from Microsoft?
Posted by calamityjohn@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 32 comments
Trying to activate some benefits in Partner Centre and I get this message: Some users, entities, and locations are restricted from using certain Microsoft services. For this reason, leveraging anonymizing or location hiding technologies (such as VPN, virtual machine, Internet tracking blocking, etc.) when connecting to these services is not allowed. If you are using one of these technologies, you'll need to disable/change your settings to gain access. If you believe you encountered this problem without one of those causes, please wait 24 hours and try again. If the issue persists, contact our support team and reference the below message code and transaction ID. We will engage a team of experts that will help verify your account. Code: 715-123160 Transaction ID: [Removed]
I waited 24 hours, tried again, same message.
I created an SR. No response.
I created a scheduled appointment in the SR. Nobody attended the call.
I'm losing my fucking mind with this bullshit.
Anyone got any tips?
StonedHaker@reddit
Had the same issue.. I was able to get it to work using Microsoft Edge. Google Chrome gave me the error. I even tried Google Chrome within a VDI that lives in Microsofts datacenter and same error. Only works with Edge.
fp4@reddit
Try tethering from a phone / use a different connection and machine.
calamityjohn@reddit (OP)
So after reaching out to the person who emailed me about the partner benefits renewal a couple of months ago, I got a call from someone at Teleperformance who took the call over from the originally assigned agent. That agent had me do the thing from my phone and would you beleive it, that actually works.
It narrows it down to my IPv4 block which is just an ordinary residential block, or my firewall which isn't doing any inspection or anything. Frustrating.
beritknight@reddit
I'm stunned that trying it from a mobile hotspot wasn't further up your troubleshooting list. That seems like an obvious step one, it eliminates your home firewall, your ISP and your IP address or block as possible causes.
calamityjohn@reddit (OP)
"Stunned". You must spend your days in a constant state of immobilsation.
The message is pretty straightforward... Microsoft think I'm "leveraging anonymizing or location hiding technologies (such as VPN, virtual machine, Internet tracking blocking, etc.)". Since none of those things are true, Microsoft fucked up. I don't think the onus should be on me to start eliminating kit - none of it is at fault.
dustojnikhummer@reddit
I'm sorry but trying from LTE/different network connection is number 3 on my "website doesn't work" troubleshooting list, right after reboot and fresh browser profile/anonymous window.
I suggest you start making your own :)
beritknight@reddit
Well, yes, but that's mostly the ADHD :D
To the rest of your message, Microsoft have pretty clearly flagged something about your setup as sus and fail2banned it. The first step in getting it fixed is working out which component is the problem. Islotation testing. It's troubleshooting 101, regardless of who the provider is. Sure, you could contact vendor support and let them hold your hand through it, or you can troubleshoot yourself first and then talk to support from a position of knowledge. I know which I prefer, but you do you.
fp4@reddit
I've experienced being blocked by Microsoft where I wasn't able to download Windows 11 ISOs or use QuickSupport until I updated from 23H2 to 24H2.
Tymanthius@reddit
Adding on to /u/fp4 where are you connecting from?
Are you sure THAT connection doesn't have anything blocking anything?
calamityjohn@reddit (OP)
Just from my home / office. Ordinary IP address. Not hosting any services from here. It's still a mystery why it's no good. Do you have any recommendations for IP reputation checking?
Hunter_Holding@reddit
Netblock very well could have compromised routers/modems in it being used by shady fly-by-night VPN providers - i've seen some claiming large amounts of "Residential IPs" to get around tons of blocks/bans/etc.
I've even seen some of my customer VMs get popped and software from said "providers" proxying customer traffic through it or acting as a VPN endpoint.
gonein62seconds@reddit
Could be DNS filtering as well. I have had this issue in the past and had to make an exception in our DNS filter.
Brilliant_Date8967@reddit
Apple location hiding on wifi?
Fit_Prize_3245@reddit
Have you tried actually using a VPN?
F7xWr@reddit
Turn the vpn off it says right there.
calamityjohn@reddit (OP)
No vpn
F7xWr@reddit
Yes no vpn allowed.
nizon@reddit
I've had success nagging at MS support on twitX and getting SRs escalated.
calamityjohn@reddit (OP)
I swore off social media about 10 years ago... says the redditor!
nizon@reddit
Would be nice if companies focused on providing real customer service in the first place instead of needing to be shamed on social media.
calamityjohn@reddit (OP)
Microsoft seem to have become openly hostile to their customers if the dare to have an issue that needs support. The latest iteration of their IVR is criminal. You could replace it with a message that simply says "go fuck yourself" and I think they'd achieve the same net result.
Seriously, it this industry didn't pay so well I'd be off. The enshittification has reached tipping point, I think.
OrganizationTime5208@reddit
It's absolutely wild that the best MS support in 2025 involves going to the Nazibar and screaming in to the wind.
arvidsem@reddit
I think that they've got accounts on Bluesky as well. They are probably as responsive there as on Twitter.
trueppp@reddit
Yeah, your IPv4 block has been flagged as a VPN provider...
M$ has been a bitch about location aince they got fined for having sold.products to Russia against sanctions.
calamityjohn@reddit (OP)
I tried this IP address checker and it doesn't flag anything. Not sure where else to check
trueppp@reddit
Also, do you have a static or dynamic ip? If it's not static, you can try rebooting your modem, or releasing/renewing the lease on your Fortigate to get a new one.
calamityjohn@reddit (OP)
Static and I've had the same address for about 10 years. I did recently add a small /29 block to split out some stuff here. I might try from behind one of those addresses but really I don't see why I should be spending any more time on Microsoft's very broken shit.
trueppp@reddit
Not many places, do you notice getting a lot more captchas than usual?
TheTipsyTurkeys@reddit
are you behind a corporate firewall? maybe you can try tethering to a cellular hotspot or try on a freshly wiped computer.
calamityjohn@reddit (OP)
I'm behind a Fortigate firewall but it's not configured to do any inspection, so I'd be surprised it it's somehow getting in the way. I can probably figure a way to drop a dumber firewall in temporarily to see if that changes anything
primeski@reddit
I hate the partner center, it's incredibly broken and unpredictable
calamityjohn@reddit (OP)
I know, right? It's so slow too