Troubleshooting Azure VPN Client 3.4.0.0: Resolving Authentication Expiration with Microsoft Entra

Symptoms

Azure VPN Client 3.4.0.0 disconnects with the error: 'Your authentication with Microsoft Entra is expired'.

Environment

Azure VPN Client version 3.4.0.0 on Windows operating systems.

Most Likely Causes

The error indicates that the authentication token used by the Azure VPN Client to connect to Microsoft Entra has expired, leading to disconnection from the VPN service.

What to Check First

1. Confirm the Azure VPN Client version and profile being used.
2. Confirm whether sign-in fails for one user, one device, or all users on the same VPN profile.
3. Check for Conditional Access, MFA, or token lifetime changes around the time failures started.

Fix Steps

1. Check Current Authentication Status

   Verify if the current authentication token is still valid.

   Security-sensitive: review before running

   Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
   Run the command: az account get-access-token

2. Re-authenticate with Microsoft Entra

   Renew the authentication token by re-signing into Microsoft Entra.

   Example pattern only. Adjust for your environment before running.

   Open Azure VPN Client.
   Click on 'Sign In'.
   Enter your Microsoft Entra credentials and complete the authentication process.

3. Verify VPN Configuration

   Ensure that the VPN configuration settings are correct and up-to-date.

   Example pattern only. Adjust for your environment before running.

   Open Azure VPN Client.
   Navigate to 'Settings'.
   Check the 'VPN Configuration' section for any incorrect settings.

4. Update Azure VPN Client

   Ensure that you are using the latest version of the Azure VPN Client.

   Example pattern only. Adjust for your environment before running.

   Visit the official Azure VPN Client download page.
   Download the latest version of the Azure VPN Client.
   Install the updated version by following the installation prompts.

5. Clear Cached Credentials

   Remove any cached credentials that may be causing authentication issues.

   Example pattern only. Adjust for your environment before running.

   Open Control Panel.
   Navigate to 'User Accounts' > 'Credential Manager'.
   Under 'Windows Credentials', locate any entries related to Microsoft Entra and remove them.

6. Restart Azure VPN Client

   Restart the Azure VPN Client to apply changes and re-establish connection.

   Example pattern only. Adjust for your environment before running.

   Close the Azure VPN Client.
   Reopen the Azure VPN Client and attempt to connect again.

Validation

• The user can complete Entra sign-in and the VPN client establishes a tunnel.
• VPN client logs no longer show token-expired or authentication-expired entries for the same profile.
• The user can reach an internal test host after the tunnel connects.

Logs to Check

• Azure VPN Client logs on the Windows device.
• Microsoft Entra sign-in logs for the affected user and app.
• Conditional Access evaluation details.
• VPN gateway point-to-site diagnostic logs if multiple users are affected.

Rollback and Escalation

• Export or document the VPN profile before removing or re-importing it.
• If cached credentials are removed, warn the user that other Microsoft sign-ins may prompt again.
• Reinstall or downgrade the client only through the approved desktop management path.

Edge Cases

• If the issue persists after following the steps, check for network connectivity issues or firewall settings that may be blocking the VPN connection.
• Consider checking the Microsoft Entra service status for any outages or maintenance that could affect authentication.

Notes from the Field

• If many users see the same expiration message at once, start with Entra sign-in logs and Conditional Access before touching individual laptops.
• Clearing credentials is state-changing. Use it after logs point to stale local auth state, not as the first move.