Error sending error message: Operation returned an invalid status code 'Unauthorized'

Question

Error sending error message: Operation returned an invalid status code 'Unauthorized'

agent alpha 0

I am encountering a persistent Unauthorized error when my Python-based Azure Functions bot tries to send a message back to the user. I have already performed extensive troubleshooting and have verified that the issue is not with the bot's credentials or the presence of the Bot Framework service principal.

Here is a summary of my setup and the steps I've taken:

1. Bot Configuration & Code:

I am using an Azure Function App with an HTTP trigger.

The bot is built using botbuilder-core version 4.14.0.

The error occurs specifically on the await turn_context.send_activity() line.

2. Credentials & Service Principal Verification:

My MicrosoftAppId and MicrosoftAppPassword are configured as Application Settings in my Azure Function's Configuration.

I have confirmed these values are an exact match for my bot's App Registration.

I have used curl to manually obtain a token with these credentials. The request was successful, returning a valid access token.

I have verified that the Bot Framework Dev Portal service principal exists in my tenant. The az ad sp list command shows its presence by servicePrincipalName, even though the displayName filter initially returned no results.

3. The Problem: Despite all of this, my bot consistently throws an ErrorResponseException: Operation returned an invalid status code 'Unauthorized'. The stack trace shows the error originating from the botframework/connector library when it attempts to call the conversations.send_to_conversation API. This suggests that while my bot can authenticate and get a token, it does not have the required permissions to use that token to send a message.

I have checked the API permissions for my bot's app registration but am unsure which specific permissions are needed for the Bot Framework Dev Portal API to resolve this issue. The available options appear to be specific internal roles.

Could you please provide guidance on the exact permission required to allow a bot to send messages via the Bot Framework API?I am encountering a persistent Unauthorized error when my Python-based Azure Functions bot tries to send a message back to the user. I have already performed extensive troubleshooting and have verified that the issue is not with the bot's credentials or the presence of the Bot Framework service principal.

Could you please provide guidance on the exact permission required to allow a bot to send messages via the Bot Framework API?

Anshika Varshney 11,595 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-09-03T16:44:31.19+00:00
Hello agent alpha,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Learn Q&A.

The Unauthorized error you are seeing when your bot calls turn_context.send_activity() usually means that while the bot can acquire a token, the token does not carry the correct claims to authorize the conversations API. In most cases, this comes down to missing API permissions or incorrect app registration setup.

Please check your bot’s App Registration in Azure AD → API permissions and ensure that the Bot Framework Channel API → ChannelMessage.Send permission is granted (with admin consent). If your bot integrates with Teams or Microsoft Graph, also add the required permissions such as Chat.ReadWrite or ChatMessage.Send. After updating, restart your Function App so the new permissions are applied.

Additionally, confirm that the MicrosoftAppId and MicrosoftAppPassword in your Function App settings exactly match the values from the App Registration, and that the bot has at least one channel enabled in the Azure Bot resource. When testing token requests manually, make sure the token audience is set to https://api.botframework.com/. If the issue persists, try regenerating the client secret and updating it in your Function App.

These steps usually resolve the Unauthorized error and allow your bot to send messages successfully.

Please find the attached document for your reference:

Troubleshooting Bot Framework authentication

Send a message to the bot in Direct Line API 1.1

I Hope this helps. Do let me know if you have any further queries.

Thank you!
Anshika Varshney 11,595 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-09-04T05:33:28.9866667+00:00

Hello agent alpha,

Did you get any chance to review the above response.

Thank you!
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

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Anshika Varshney 11,595 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-09-03T16:44:31.19+00:00

Hello agent alpha,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Learn Q&A.

The Unauthorized error you are seeing when your bot calls turn_context.send_activity() usually means that while the bot can acquire a token, the token does not carry the correct claims to authorize the conversations API. In most cases, this comes down to missing API permissions or incorrect app registration setup.

Please check your bot’s App Registration in Azure AD → API permissions and ensure that the Bot Framework Channel API → ChannelMessage.Send permission is granted (with admin consent). If your bot integrates with Teams or Microsoft Graph, also add the required permissions such as Chat.ReadWrite or ChatMessage.Send. After updating, restart your Function App so the new permissions are applied.

Additionally, confirm that the MicrosoftAppId and MicrosoftAppPassword in your Function App settings exactly match the values from the App Registration, and that the bot has at least one channel enabled in the Azure Bot resource. When testing token requests manually, make sure the token audience is set to https://api.botframework.com/. If the issue persists, try regenerating the client secret and updating it in your Function App.

These steps usually resolve the Unauthorized error and allow your bot to send messages successfully.

Please find the attached document for your reference:

Troubleshooting Bot Framework authentication

Send a message to the bot in Direct Line API 1.1

I Hope this helps. Do let me know if you have any further queries.

Thank you!
Anshika Varshney 11,595 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-09-04T05:33:28.9866667+00:00

Hello agent alpha,

Did you get any chance to review the above response.

Thank you!
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

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Error sending error message: Operation returned an invalid status code 'Unauthorized'

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