Desktop tool logging in forever

[powerautomator3]

Hi, I'm trying to work with power automate desktop and my company has bought a premium license for me.

I installed the tool with MSI installer, and it starts up fine, but when i click the login button, there's just a spinner saying 'getting things ready' or 'logging in' that has been going on for 30 minutes and task manager shows little to none resources being utilized by the program.

It has never asked me for any credentials, could it try to automatically use wrong ones and somehow end up in a loop? or is this normal behaviour?

thanks for any tips

[VishnuReddy1997]

Hi @powerautomator3 ,

I am think the main reason may be you have already have Power automate desktop installed with 0365 license  or Microsoft store and again you are trying to install it with MSI installer,this is causing conflit. 

Try to remove that software that you have downloaded from MSI Installer and its related files from cache and all.Then try to launch with already existing file.

Also try these below steps.

1. Check Network Connectivity:

Ensure your computer has a stable internet connection. A poor connection can cause login delays or timeouts.
If you're behind a firewall or proxy, verify that it's not blocking communication with Microsoft's authentication servers.

2. Clear PAD Cache:

A cluttered cache can sometimes cause login issues. Try clearing PAD's cache to see if it helps:
The exact steps might vary depending on your PAD version, but it usually involves accessing settings or preferences and finding a "Clear Cache" option.

3. Reinstall PAD:

If clearing the cache doesn't work, consider reinstalling PAD. This can fix corrupted files or configurations preventing proper login.
Make sure to back up your flows before reinstalling!

4. Check for Conflicting Software:

In rare cases, other software might interfere with PAD's login process. Try temporarily disabling any recently installed programs or antivirus software to see if it resolves the issue

(Note:- if you got your solution you can mark as solution and gives kudos)

Thanks & Regards

Vishnu Reddy

[powerautomator3]

Thanks for the tips! I haven't installed any O365 packages to this laptop. I tried disabling defender firewall but it did not help.

Should the computer be connected to company O365 account (where there is a premium license), or should it ask for email/password in PAD?

[VishnuReddy1997]

Hi @powerautomator3 ,

Did you check is there 2 apps of PAD in the system.

As per my understanding any method of logging in is fine.

(Note:- if you got your solution you can mark as solution and gives kudos)

Thanks & Regards

Vishnu Reddy

[powerautomator3]

Hi! I did check and only saw the one I installed today (with "add or remove programs"). This computer has Windows 11 installed inside Parallels.

"Any method of logging in is fine" -> does PAD normally ask for login credentials when starting up first time?

[Deenuji]

@powerautomator3 

Typically, it should prompt for sign-in the very first time you open Power Automate Desktop after installation (which does not mean every day you log into your system), unless your organization has enabled SSO for Power Automate Desktop.

Is this issue only happening on 2.45 version? Have your tried with any other versions?

Thanks,
Deenuji Loganathan 👩‍💻
Automation Evangelist 🤖
Follow me on LinkedIn 👥

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[NathanAlvares24]

Hi @powerautomator3 !

Not every time PAD asks for login credentials when starting up first time but this usually happens when it has not established an internet connection. I get this sometimes so I have to re-enter my credentials and login. But usually when you just start your machine and if your network has already automatically connected, it will not ask for credentials instead it will just take you to the account and show your desktop flows.

Anyways, have you tried exiting the application from the taskbar and then re-opening the application once again?

[powerautomator3]

Thanks for replies.

I have installed the current version today from MS website (looks like its 2.45.385.24170). They only had 1 link, how can i get older versions?

I have tried force closing from task manager and restarting multiple times, and restarting the VM - same result.

I don't get any taskbar for the application, these views only:

[Deenuji]

@powerautomator3 

Some older version of PAD available on the below link, just give a short - 

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Power-Automate-Desktop/IMPORTANT-Cloud-connector-action-issues-i... 

Thanks,
Deenuji Loganathan 👩‍💻
Automation Evangelist 🤖
Follow me on LinkedIn 👥

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If I've helped solve your query, kindly mark my response as the solution ✔ and give it a thumbs up!👍 Your feedback supports future seekers 🚀

[powerautomator3 · Accepted solution]

In the end, I deleted and reinstalled the virtual machine with windows 11. Then let all the OS updates finish, installed office and then PAD. It just worked after that.