Getting error while deleting user contact from Echange online 365

Auon Ali Khowaja 0 Reputation points
2023-02-07T19:17:01.87+00:00

I had a user in my Exchange online 365. I wanted to delete the user mailbox as well as contact. The mailbox was successfully deleted but the contact is still showing in the contact list. I have tried multiple times to delete the contact but an error occurs says:

Contact deletion failed

Error:

We are experiencing an issue with our server, please try submitting your request at a later time.

I have tried to delete the contact multiple times but this error occurs every time.

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Exchange Server
A family of Microsoft client/server messaging and collaboration software.
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Exchange Server Management
Exchange Server: A family of Microsoft client/server messaging and collaboration software.Management: The act or process of organizing, handling, directing or controlling something.
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3 answers

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  1. Yuki Sun-MSFT 40,871 Reputation points
    2023-02-08T02:37:50.3666667+00:00

    Hi @Auon Ali Khowaja ,

    I wanted to delete the user mailbox as well as contact. The mailbox was successfully deleted but the contact is still showing in the contact list.

    Do you mean you have deleted a user mailbox successfully, but failed to delete a mail contact from EAC?
    1

    If this is the case, please try removing it via Exchange Online PowerShell and see if it can work:

    Remove-MailContact -Identity <MailUserIdentity>

    If it still doesn't work, please try installing the Azure AD Module with Install-Module MSOnline, connect to Azure AD using Connect-MsolService, and then try removing the contact by running the command below:

    (Note: you'll need to replace "mailcontact01" with the key words like the display name of the mail contact you want to delete.)

     Get-MsolContact -SearchString "mailcontact01" | Remove-MsolContact -Force

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  2. Amit Singh 4,846 Reputation points
    2023-02-08T07:18:24.76+00:00

    If you are certain you want to delete these objects (as in they are not using any other services within M365), use the Remove-MsolUser cmdlet. Or exclude them from the scope of dirsync.

    Alternatively, if you want to "reset" their ExO status (for migration), you can try the method outlined here: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/exchange-team-blog/permanently-clear-previous-mailbox-info/ba-p/607619

  3. Khurram Rahim 1,841 Reputation points
    2023-02-08T19:35:22.22+00:00

    This issue could be related to a problem with the server. I would suggest waiting a few hours and then attempting to delete the contact again. If the error persists, you can try using the Exchange Online PowerShell to remove the contact.

    You can connect to Exchange Online using the following steps:

    1. Install the Exchange Online Remote PowerShell Module.
    2. Connect to Exchange Online using your Office 365 credentials.
    3. Run the following command to delete the contact: Remove-MailContact -Identity <Contact Email Address>.

    If you still receive the error after trying this, you can contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.