HTTP 404 –Exchange Server 2016 Admin Center Error

History of outlook web access http 404

Consider two directories cmdlet, New-OWAVirtualDirectory and New-ECPVirtualDirectory. If a user tries to recreate owa and ecp exchange directories on Outlook Web or EAC, they receive an error “Http 404”.

This error occurs when a user cannot access outlook web app Exchange Server 2016, 2013 Standard and Enterprise Edition.

Causes of Exchange Admin Center Http 404 Error

The above error is caused due to incorrect authentication. When user set OWA or ECP Virtual directories with cmdlet New-OWAVirtualDirectory or New-ECPVirtualDirectory then Form or Basic Authentication is enabled in place of Windows Authentication. This error triggers issues, therefore user unable to open OWA and ECP Virtual Directory.

How to Solve Outlook Web Access and Exchange Admin Centre Http 404 Issue

To Solve above problem user need to follow two different ways to resume functioning of OWA and ECP Virtual directory.

For Outlook Web Access (OWA) Virtual Directory

Follow the Steps given below to remove outlook web access http 404 issue from virtual directories.

1. Open Exchange Management Shell.
   
   
2. Now, Copy paste or Type cmdlet given below and press Enter
   
   set-Owavirtualdirectory -identity "E15MBX\owa (Exchange Back End)" -WindowsAuthentication $True -Basicauthentication $false -Formsauthentication $false
   
   
3. Now, Run following cmdlet on Client Access and Mailbox Server.
   
   iisreset /noforce
   
   
4. The Above command is used to restart Internet Information Services (IIS) at both ends.
   
   

For Exchange Control Panel (ECP) Virtual Directory

The steps given below are used to rectify Exchange admin center http 404 error in virtual directories.

1. Go to Start menu and Type Windows PowerShell. Open it.
   
   
2. Now, Type the following cmdlet.
   
   Add-PSSnapin *exchange*
   
   
3. Press enter and type command as shown below
   
   Set-EcpVirtualDirectory -Identity "E15MBX\ecp (Exchange Back End)" -WindowsAuthentication $true -FormsAuthentication $false
   
   
4. Now, Run following code to restart Internet Information Services (IIS)
   
   iisreset /noforce
   
   

Conclusion

The above cmdlet effectively solved the http 404 issue in Exchange Admin Center and Outlook Web Application. By following proper procedure, the above steps can be used to solve this error. Moreover, If a user still cannot access outlook web app then all EDB files consisting OWA details can be recovered using Exchange Recovery Software.