Troubleshooting Windows Autopilot Enrollment Issues with Intune

In today’s fast-paced IT environments, corporate device deployments need to be as smooth as possible. Windows Autopilot aims to simplify new device setups by bridging the gap between out-of-box experiences and company-specific configurations. However, even a well-laid process can encounter hiccups. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the troubleshooting methods for Intune enrollment issues with Autopilot, discuss common error codes, and outline steps that IT professionals can take to resolve problems swiftly.

Tip: For more insightful discussions on managing and optimizing your Windows experience, check out our previous article on https://windowsforum.com/threads/353537.

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Understanding the Windows Autopilot Enrollment Process​

Windows Autopilot is designed to streamline the device setup process by eliminating the need for traditional imaging tasks. Instead, it leverages existing preinstalled operating systems to apply configurations, scripts, and applications during the out-of-box experience (OOBE).

How Autopilot Enrollment Works:​

• Network Connection:
  The process starts by establishing an internet connection—either via wired or wireless—allowing the device to communicate with Microsoft cloud services.
• Profile Download:
  Once connected, the device downloads its Autopilot profile, which contains all necessary settings and pre-configurations.
• User Authentication (Optional):
  In user-driven scenarios, the end user inputs their Microsoft Entra credentials to verify their identity, enabling further processing.
• Microsoft Entra Join:
  The device then joins the company’s Azure Active Directory (formerly Microsoft Entra) either with or without user input, depending on the deployment mode.
• Automatic MDM Enrollment:
  Post authentication, the device is automatically enrolled into the Mobile Device Management (MDM) system—in this case, Microsoft Intune.
• Settings Applied:
  Finally, Autopilot applies the configuration settings during the Enrollment Status Page (ESP), ensuring all policies and apps are correctly set up.

Summary:
A solid understanding of the enrollment flow is the first step toward diagnosing and troubleshooting any issues that may occur during the setup process.

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Essential Troubleshooting Techniques​

Even with the seamless design of Autopilot, IT administrators must be prepared for scenarios where devices do not enroll as expected. Here are some essential strategies to pinpoint and resolve issues:

1. Leverage the OOBE Diagnostics​

During OOBE, IT administrators have a secret weapon at their fingertips. By pressing the Shift + F10 key combination, you open a Command Prompt with elevated privileges to:

• Access detailed event logs (found under Application and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > Modern Deployment-Diagnostics-Provider > Autopilot).
• Inspect relevant registry keys located at:
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Provisioning\Diagnostics\Autopilot

This early diagnostic step can immediately indicate what’s gone wrong during enrollment—be it connectivity, licensing, or mismatched configurations.

2. Use the Intune Diagnostics Page​

Windows 11 even offers a dedicated Autopilot diagnostics page accessible during the OOBE. To enable it:

• Log into the Microsoft Intune admin center.
• Navigate to Devices > Windows > Enrollment > Enrollment Status Page.
• Select the profile in use and click Edit.
• Ensure that:
• Show app and profile configuration progress is set to Yes.
• Turn on log collection and diagnostics page for end users is enabled.
• Save your settings and have the device re-attempt enrollment.

Summary:
Using built-in diagnostics tools can help quickly narrow down the root causes of enrollment errors and save valuable troubleshooting time.

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Common Autopilot Enrollment Errors and Their Fixes​

Even a well-configured Autopilot deployment may face intermittent issues. Below is a rundown of some frequent error codes and suggested remediation steps:

1. License Errors – Error Code 80180018​

• Issue: The error “There was an error with your license” indicates that either the user lacks the proper license or has exceeded the allowed number of enrolled devices.
• Fix:
• Verify the correct licenses are assigned.
• Clean up leftover device objects associated with the user’s account.

2. Unsupported Feature Error – Error Code 80180014​

• Issue: The message “This feature is not supported” commonly occurs when MDM enrollment is blocked or when reusing a device that hasn’t been properly deregistered.
• Fix:
• Adjust the enrollment restrictions to allow Windows MDM.
• Ensure that any previous device objects are deleted before beginning a new enrollment process.

3. Enrollment Restrictions – Error Code 80180032​

• Issue: “Your device cannot be enrolled right now” is directly linked to enrollment restrictions set within the MDM policies.
• Fix:
• Confirm that the device meets all enrollment requirements.
• Review and update the restrictions in the enrollment policy if needed.

4. Duplicate Enrollment – Error Code 8018000a​

• Issue: The error “The device is already enrolled” suggests that the initial deployment encountered an issue.
• Fix:
• Remove the device object from both Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Entra.
• Re-register the device with the Autopilot service.

5. Hardware Security Issue – Error Code 0x800705b4​

• Issue: This error is typically related to challenges with securing the hardware, often linked to the TPM (Trusted Platform Module) during self-deployment mode.
• Fix:
• Ensure you’re using a physical device instead of a virtual machine.
• Confirm that the TPM vendor certificate is up-to-date; if not, have the device go online to retrieve the certificate.

6. TPM Upgrade Requirement – Error Code 0x801C03EA​

• Issue: Older devices with TPM 1.2 may not meet the requirements for Autopilot self-deployments.
• Fix:
• Upgrade the device’s TPM to version 2.0 to ensure compatibility.

7. Unsupported Windows Edition – Error Code 0x80180022​

• Issue: MDM enrollment might fail if using an unsupported version, such as Windows 10/11 Home Edition.
• Fix:
• Use a supported Windows edition (e.g., Pro or Enterprise) for Autopilot deployments.

Summary:
Being familiar with the error codes and their associated fixes empowers administrators to resolve issues promptly, ensuring that the enthusiasm for Autopilot’s simplicity remains unspoiled by technical roadblocks.

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Best Practices for a Smooth Autopilot Deployment​

While troubleshooting is crucial, prevention is equally important. Here are some best practices that can help minimize issues:

• Regular Policy Reviews:
  Routinely verify that your MDM policies and enrollment restrictions align with your organization’s deployment needs.
• Pre-Deployment Testing:
  Test the Autopilot process on supported physical hardware before initiating a bulk rollout. Avoid using unsupported platforms like virtual machines for self-deployment scenarios.
• Active Device Management:
  Periodically clear out inactive or redundant device objects in Microsoft Intune to prevent enrollment conflicts.
• License Management:
  Keep a close eye on license allocations to ensure that users have the appropriate entitlements for the number of devices they intend to enroll.
• Stay Informed:
  Regularly review Microsoft’s documentation and community feedback to keep abreast of evolving best practices and common pitfalls.

Summary:
By implementing these best practices, IT teams can reduce downtime, streamline troubleshooting processes, and maintain a robust, efficient enrollment environment.

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Final Thoughts​

Windows Autopilot represents a significant leap forward in simplifying device deployments for modern enterprises. However, as with any advanced technology, it’s important to be ready for potential issues. With a solid understanding of the enrollment process and the troubleshooting techniques outlined in this guide, IT professionals can address errors quickly and keep device rollouts on track.
Whether you're facing licensing glitches, device re-enrollment issues, or hardware compatibility errors, this guide provides the actionable insights needed to troubleshoot effectively. Remember, a proactive approach to troubleshooting not only minimizes disruptions but also ensures that your deployment strategies are aligned with the evolving landscape of Windows device management.
By staying informed and prepared, you can ensure that your organization enjoys the full benefits of Windows Autopilot and Microsoft Intune, making device management a smoother and more reliable experience for everyone involved.
Happy troubleshooting!

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Source: TechTarget https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterprisedesktop/tip/How-to-troubleshoot-Intune-enrollment-with-Autopilot/