SharePoint 2013 People Picker Error: Sorry, we’re having trouble reaching the server

Problem: While trying to add a new user to a SharePoint group, SharePoint 2013 People Picker displayed the error: “Sorry, we’re having trouble reaching the server.”

SharePoint 2013 People Picker error "Sorry, we’re having trouble reaching the server"

Troubleshooting:

  • The server may not have enough resources such as Memory to process the function without timing out. Try adding more memory to your SharePoint 2013 web front end server.
  • If the “HTTP Activation” feature is not enabled, You may face this issue. Log in to your WFE >> Go to Server Manager >> Add Roles and Features >> Select HTTP Activation and install.
  • Try IIS reset once from all front end servers.
  • Check Alternate Access Mappings settings for the web application.
  • Try deactivating the “Limited-access user permission lockdown mode” Feature from site collection features (This worked in one of the external facing sites).
  • Make sure the domain account you are using for a SharePoint service account has the necessary permissions to read domain accounts, If you have one-way trust domain – Set the app password (stsadm -o setapppassword -password “Password”) and follow the KB to add people picker domain https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2874332
  • Check if Anonymous Authentication is enabled for your web site in IIS.
  • Try updating “Query timeout” value from 25 to 60! (under: 15\TEMPLATE\LAYOUTS\clientpeoplepicker.js >> SPClientPeoplePicker.UserQueryMaxTimeout)
  • Try extending the web application to new port!

Salaudeen Rajack

Salaudeen Rajack - Information Technology Expert with Two-decades of hands-on experience, specializing in SharePoint, PowerShell, Microsoft 365, and related products. He has held various positions including SharePoint Architect, Administrator, Developer and consultant, has helped many organizations to implement and optimize SharePoint solutions. Known for his deep technical expertise, He's passionate about sharing the knowledge and insights to help others, through the real-world articles!

3 thoughts on “SharePoint 2013 People Picker Error: Sorry, we’re having trouble reaching the server

  • thank you for providing the solution to my issues.

    SharePoint 2013 People Picker Error: Sorry, we’re having trouble reaching the server”

    The solution below worked for me.

    If the “HTTP Activation” feature is not enabled, You may face this issue. Log in to your WFE >> Go to Server Manager >> Add Roles and Features >> Select HTTP Activation and install.
    Try IIS reset once from all front end servers.

    https://www.sharepointdiary.com/2016/07/sharepoint-2013-people-picker-sorry-were-having-trouble-reaching-the-server.html

    Reply
  • Remove Host entry for Ipaddress and web application(mainly if it is exists in application server)

    We got this issue instead of resolving other issue. After removing host file entry, we are able to retrieve it again.

    Thanks
    Anil Kumar

    Reply
  • You saved our implementation. Thank you so much!

    Reply

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