How to Fix HCW8077: Tenant Organization is Dehydrated Error

This tenant organization is dehydrated error typically occurs when using the Office 365 Hybrid Configuration Wizard (HCW). Or when attempting to exercise complex administrative tasks such as advanced PowerShell cmdlets in Microsoft 365.

The error code HCW8077 indicates that you cannot configure the core Exchange security or hybrid routing settings. In simple words, the advanced administrative changes are blocked.

So, join this enterprise-grade troubleshooting guide on “How to fix HCW8077 Tenant Organization is Dehydrated Error”. And learn about Microsoft 365 tenant hydration errors and how to fix them effectively!

What Does the “HCW8077 Tenant Organization is Dehydrated” Error Mean?

HCW8077 Tenant Organization is Dehydrated error occurs when a tenant is in a “dehydration” state. And the user attempts advanced administrative customizations via Hybrid Configuration Wizard or Role-based Access Control.

So, when your Microsoft 365 is dehydrated, it doesn’t disturb end-users’ experience, mail flows, or Teams collaboration. It only restricts administrative modifications using advanced customization features such as Role-Based Access Control and Exchange Hybrid Configurations.

Therefore, when you run the Exchange Hybrid Configuration Wizard or execute advanced cmdlets in PowerShell, the Office 365 Hybrid Configuration dialog box shows the message:

Here are the other common triggers for the M365 Tenant Dehydration error:

• Creating or altering Role-Based Access Control (RABC)
• Modifying native retention, data loss prevention (DLP), or sharing policies.
• Removing the recent on-premises Exchange Server.

Prerequisites for Fixing HCW8077 Tenant Organization is Dehydrated Error

Microsoft 365 Tenant Dehydration Error cannot be fixed without Global Administrator permissions, an active Exchange Online license, and PowerShell with administrative privileges.

These are the prerequisites for fixing the M365 HCW8077 tenant dehydration error. Also, Microsoft frequently updates PowerShell security protocols. Unable to meet these baseline requirements will disturb the connection attempts.

So, check out the given checklist before executing any commands in PowerShell.

• Permissions: Global Administrator permissions are compulsory.
• Licensing: An active Exchange Online License (Plan 1 or Plan 2) with a completely provisioned mailbox.
• Environment: PowerShell as an administrator is mandatory.
  

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Fix HCW8077 Tenant Organization is Dehydrated Error: 5-Easy Steps (Hydrating Tenant)

Here are the 5 straightforward, proven steps to fix HCW8077 Tenant Organization is Dehydrated error:

Step #1: Connect to Exchange Online

Establishing a secure connection to Exchange Online is the primary step to fix the HCW8077 error and hydrate tenants. Simply use the account with Global Administrator privileges with an active Exchange Online License assigned.

Since Microsoft has deprecated basic authentication and older TLS protocols, force PowerShell to use TLS 1.2. And modern authentication through the Exchange Online Management V3 Module.

• Open PowerShell as an administrator. To do so, press Windows + X and right-click Terminal (Admin). Run the given block of code in PowerShell:

# Force PowerShell to use TLS 1.2

[Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [Net.SecurityProtocolType]::Tls12

# Set Execution Policy to allow scripts to run

Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser -Force

# Install the latest Exchange Online module (if not already installed)

Install-Module -Name ExchangeOnlineManagement -Force -AllowClobber

# Import the module and authenticate

Import-Module ExchangeOnlineManagement Connect-ExchangeOnline

Step #2: Review Tenant’s Hydration Status

Reviewing the tenant’s hydration status confirms the tenant’s current state. This ensures that the tenant’s hydration state is not determined entirely by the Hybrid Configuration Wizard (HCW). In order to check if the M365 tenant is dehydrated or not, run the Get-OrganizationConfig cmdlet. It will query the backend database directly

Copy and paste the given script to verify the hydration status of your tenant:

Get-OrganizationConfig | Select-Object Identity, IsDehydrated

Here’s how you should interpret the output results:

Step #3: Run the Enable-OrganizationCustomization Cmdlet

Run the Enable-OrganizationCustomization Cmdlet to trigger the tenant hydration process across Microsoft’s datacenters. Executing this PowerShell command directs Microsoft’s datacenters to copy the shared configuration template. And create a dedicated instance for the specific tenant.

Use the PowerShell Command shared below to start the Office 365 tenant hydration process:

Enable-OrganizationCustomization -Verbose

Note: This hydration command doesn’t provide a confirmation output or progress bar, even with the -Verbose switch. It executes silently and redirects you back to the PowerShell Prompt. Once initiated, the hydration process gets queued in Microsoft’s backend and can take up to 15 to 30 minutes to update across all global datacenters. So, avoid spamming the command in PowerShell.

Step #4: Wait and Re-run the Verification Command

For larger tenants or during high Microsoft data center hours, the tenant hydration process can take up to 2 hours to propagate. In such scenarios, IT administrators are advised to wait a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes before re-running the verification command.

Once the waiting period is over, re-run the verification command cited below:

Get-OrganizationConfig | Select-Object IsDehydrated

You can validate that the backend process is completed by the False output result.

Step #5: Re-launch the Hybrid Configuration Wizard

Fixing HCW8077 Tenant Organization is Dehydrated also involves confirming
Hybrid Configuration Wizard (HCW) not reading from an old cache. Exercising this step will bypass the 8077 error and hydrate the Microsoft 365 tenant. Allowing you to configure your routing and connector settings.

To verify and relaunch the Hybrid Configuration wizard (HCW), apply the given steps:

• Close currently open HCW instances.
• Open a web browser and go to Exchange Admin Center (EAC) in Microsoft 365.
• Download a new Hybrid Configuration Wizard instance.
• Lastly, launch the software and continue with your hybrid configuration.

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Advanced Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Tenant Dehydration Errors

Sometimes the Enable-OrganizationCustomization command fails, which is not enough to fix all tenant dehydration errors that can cause Office 365 mailbox provisioning stuck preparing. So, to tackle them, check out the 3 proven advanced troubleshooting steps to fix tenant Dehydration errors in Microsoft 365.

#1: Error: “Organization is currently being upgraded”

Organization is currently being upgraded error happens when the Office 365 tenant is stuck in a backend provisioning loop. Usually, this tenant dehydration error occurs when you attempt to run the customization cmdlet. The dialog box pops up with the message:

“Enabling customization is not allowed because the Organization is currently being upgraded. Please try again after the Upgrade is complete”

The Solution: According to Microsoft, this process will conclude automatically. Unfortunately, if it has been stalled for more than 5 days, no PowerShell command will resolve it. Raising a support ticket via Microsoft Admin Center is the last resort. You must specifically request the Exchange Online Backend Provisioning Team to manually fix the upgrade lock.

#2: Connect-Exchange Online Returns “Unauthorized”

Connect-Exchange Online returns “Unauthorized” when the executing account doesn’t have a mailbox. Even with the Global Administrator credentials, PowerShell will deny the connection.

The Solution: Review your admin account and ensure you have an Exchange Online (Plan 1 or 2) license. Once the license is assigned, wait for 15 minutes and attempt to connect again.

#3: PowerShell Misbehaving

It has been observed that PowerShell occasionally refuses to execute the tenant hydration command. Resulting in Microsoft 365 tenant dehydration issues. However,  you can occasionally force the M365 tenant hydration via the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. But how?

Here are the steps to enforce tenant hydration via the M365 Admin Center:

• Go to the Microsoft Admin Center and select Help & Support.
• Search Exchange Web Services (EWS).
• Verify the EWS throttle status. If it displays EWS is not throttled. Open the diagnostic tool and configure the duration to 30 days.

Conclusion

“How to fix HCW8077 Tenant Organization is Dehydrated error”  is indeed a frustrating query. Haunting IT admins by blocking customizations when configuring the Exchange hybrid environment. However, this Microsoft 365 tenant dehydration error can be smoothly resolved by following the five steps outlined in this trusted troubleshooting guide.

So, if you’re an IT admin struggling with the HCW8077 Tenant Organization is Dehydrated error, bookmark this super-helpful guide!

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q.1 What is the Office 365 HCW8077 error?

Microsoft Office 365 HCW8077 error means your tenant or cloud environment is in a default “dehydration” state. It cannot make administrative modifications using customization features like the Hybrid Configuration Wizard or Role-Based Access Control.

Q.2 How to check if M365 tenant is dehydrated?

Run the given command in PowerShell, and if the result displays True, it means the M365 tenant is dehydrated:

Get-OrganizationConfig | Select-Object Identity, IsDehydrated

Q.3 How to enforce PowerShell to use TLS 1.2 and modern authentication?

Here are the steps to force PowerShell to use TLS 1.2 and modern authentication:

• Open PowerShell as an administrator (hit Windows + X button >> right-click Terminal (Admin).
• Run the command: [Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [Net.SecurityProtocolType]::Tls12

Q.4 I am getting error HCW8077 during my Exchange Hybrid setup. Why is Microsoft blocking my customizations and how do I fix it?

Microsoft is blocking your customizations and throwing the HCW8077 error because your M365 tenant is in a “dehydration” state. Administrative modifications are prohibited. You’re required to hydrate your Office 365 tenant. To do so,

• Establish a connection to Exchange Online,
• Check tenant hydration status
• Run the Enable-OrganizationCustomization Cmdlet
• Re-run the Verification command,
• and re-launch the Hybrid Configuration Wizard (HCW).

Q.5 Why is my Enable-OrganizationCustomization command failing with ‘Unauthorized’ even though I am a Global Admin?

Because your account doesn’t have a mailbox. Enable-OrganizationCustomization commands require an active Exchange Online license. Even with the Global Administrator credentials, PowerShell will refuse the commands. So, ensure you have an Exchange Online (Plan 1 or 2) license.