Share via

Some users unable to access microsoft form but others can

Wendy Comeau 0 Reputation points
2025-11-14T02:24:17.43+00:00

I have the same problem as a previous client.

"I created a Microsoft Forms, with the option "Anyone with the link can respond".

However it seems that around 1/3rd of the people I send it to are unable to access it, whether by url or by QR code, whether by mobile device or computer...

Some land on a page asking to sign into Microsoft (email or phone), others get the "Sorry, an error happened" (I'm roughly translating an error message in Chinese so that's not word for word). 

Meanwhile the other 2/3rds can access it normally.

None of these people are in my organization. 

Any ideas as to what's going wrong?

As per Microsoft's FAQ, it's not mandatory to have an Office365 account in order to respond to a Forms."

Microsoft 365 and Office | Microsoft Forms | For business
0 comments No comments

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. AlexDN 11,425 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-11-14T04:34:11.73+00:00

    Dear @Wendy Comeau,

    Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum. Based on your description, I understand that some recipients are unable to access the form even though it’s set to “Anyone with the link can respond."

    To better asssistance, could you please confirm:

    • Were any changes made to the form’s settings after the link was first shared?
    • Do the affected users share a common browser, device type, or network (e.g., corporate firewall, VPN)?
    • Are you able to reproduce the issue yourself using a private/incognito browser window?

    In the meantime, I recommend as below:

    • Reopen the form settings and toggle the sharing option off and back to “Anyone with the link can respond,” then generate a fresh link.
    • Share the new link with affected users and ask them to open it in a different browser or in a private/incognito window.
    • If the issue persists, consider duplicating the form and sharing the new version. It often resolves hidden configuration glitches.

    Please understand that our initial response does not always resolve the issue immediately. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.

    I truly appreciate your patience and understanding. If you have any further questions or need further clarification, please feel free to reach out. I'm looking forward to hearing from you. 

    Thank you for your cooperation.


    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment". 

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

    Was this answer helpful?


  2. Q&A Assist
    2025-11-14T02:24:24.6033333+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    It sounds like the issue you're experiencing with Microsoft Forms could be related to the settings and permissions associated with the form. Here are a few things to check:

    1. Form Settings: Ensure that the form is indeed set to allow responses from "Anyone with the link can respond." Sometimes, settings can be inadvertently changed.
    2. Microsoft Account Requirement: While it is true that users do not need an Office 365 account to respond to a form, if the form is configured to restrict access based on certain criteria, some users may be prompted to sign in. Verify that there are no restrictions set that might require users to have a Microsoft account.
    3. Browser and Device Compatibility: Sometimes, specific browsers or devices may have issues accessing forms. Ensure that users are trying to access the form using updated browsers and devices.
    4. Network Restrictions: Some users might be on networks that have restrictions preventing access to certain Microsoft services. It might be worth checking if they can access the form from a different network.
    5. Error Messages: The error message "Sorry, an error happened" could indicate a temporary issue with the service or a configuration problem. You might want to check the Microsoft service status to see if there are any ongoing issues.

    If the problem persists after checking these items, consider reaching out to Microsoft support for further assistance.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.