Troubleshooting Redirects In Sharepoint Online Survey Lists
What Causes Redirects in Survey Lists
There are a few common causes for redirect issues when accessing SharePoint Online survey lists:
Accidental Configuration of Survey Settings
If administrators accidentally set incorrect access permissions, enable invalid workflows, or input wrong URLs when configuring a survey list, users may encounter unexpected redirects when trying to take the survey.
For example, an administrator may associate the survey list with a site workflow that automatically redirects non-site members. Or they may inadvertently paste an incorrect URL path when embedding a survey on a site page.
Incorrect URL Structure
Problems with URL structure can also lead to redirect errors for SharePoint survey links. If the survey URL has the wrong pointer path or redirects to a non-existent site page, users will likely be redirected to a “page not found” error when clicking the link.
This can happen if the original survey link is moved or deleted after the URL has been shared. URLs that redirect through multiple sites before reaching the survey can also compound chances for redirect failure.
Conflicts with Site Permissions
Redirects often result from inconsistencies between survey list permissions and site access rules. If a user’s permissions don’t allow full access rights to the page with an embedded survey, SharePoint will automatically redirect them when clicking the survey link.
For example, if survey access relies on membership in a certain SharePoint group, non-members who click the link may be redirected due to inadequate permissions.
Identifying Redirect Issues
Pinpointing the root cause of survey redirect problems involves various troubleshooting methods to check for inconsistencies.
Checking Survey URLs
Start by verifying that the survey list URL paths and links to embedded surveys are all structurally correct. Check that links point users directly to the survey with no unnecessary redirects through intermediary site pages.
Review permissions settings to confirm users can fully access both the survey list and destination pages. The URLs should not redirect to error pages indicating missing permission levels.
Testing as Different Users
Open the survey links while signed into SharePoint as different user types with varying permission levels. Note any redirect errors and evaluate what access rights may be associated.
For example, site owners should not encounter redirects. But external guest users may be redirected due to limited permissions. This shows where configuration changes need to grant broader survey access.
Monitoring Error Logs
Check SharePoint administration error logs to identify redirect notifications tied to the survey list and specific users. Logs can pinpoint any bad requests coming from the survey URLs which may be causing redirects.
Evaluate patterns in the user identities, redirect destinations, and error codes logged. This informs troubleshooting by revealing inconsistencies with permissions, site structures, or workflows.
Fixing Simple Redirect Problems
In some cases, small configuration changes can resolve basic survey redirect inconsistencies:
Adjusting Survey Access Settings
If logs show that guest or external users are mainly impacted by redirects, broaden access rules in the survey list permissions. Specifically enable settings to “allow anonymous access” so redirects do not occur due to authentication limitations.
Correcting Incorrect URLs
When working with long and complex SharePoint URL paths to survey links, verifying precise structure can prevent redirects. If a survey URL has changed but embedded links were not updated, users encounter redirects to old invalid destinations.
Make sure all survey URLs referenced across sites and pages align. Check for issues like incorrect capitalization or missing subfolder paths that should point to the actual survey.
Granting Necessary Permissions
If site workflow history and error logging reports show redirects related to permission errors, evaluate what access levels various users need. Then customize the survey list permissions to explicitly grant needed privileges.
For example, add all external users to a custom SharePoint group with access to the specific survey list in question while limiting broader visibility.
Advanced Troubleshooting for Persistent Issues
For ongoing survey redirect problems that persist through basic troubleshooting, more advanced solutions may be necessary involving resets.
Disabling and Reenabling the Survey
As a test, temporarily disable the redirecting survey list while leaving the rest of the SharePoint site active. After monitoring for related access errors on other pages, reactivate the survey.
If other areas of the site show no problems during that time, an issue with the standalone survey functionality itself may be the cause.
Modifying Redirection Workflow Associations
Disable any workflows tied by associations to the survey list functionality and links. Then monitor admin logs and general user access over 1-2 days to gauge if redirects decrease.
This indicates customized workflows contain logic inadvertently directing users away from the survey. Modify the workflow settings accordingly.
Recreating the Survey from Scratch
As a last resort for persistent redirect errors limited to one survey with properly configured settings, rebuild the survey list completely from the ground up. Copy over old survey questions and choice data, but no metadata or configurations.
Once confirmed that users can take the new survey without redirects, selectively enable previous configurations like conditional logic rules to identify problematic settings.
Redirect Prevention Tips
There are also some best practices administrators overseeing SharePoint survey lists can consider to proactively prevent redirect headaches:
Setting Up Validation Checks
Create automatic validation checks that regularly test and confirm that survey links in site pages resolve correctly. Flags prevent issues like changed URLs before they disrupt users.
Tools like Power Automate allow automating recurring link audits across SharePoint surveys to catch errors early.
Establishing Permission Hierarchies
Structure comprehensive permission levels and access control rules for both SharePoint sites/subsites and specific survey lists. Standardizing these hierarchies for different user types ensures consistency.
This reduces the likelihood of conflicts between site-wide and list-specific permissions that often cause redirects when accessing surveys.
Backing Up Survey Settings
Maintain periodic backups of survey list configurations and metadata outside the main SharePoint environment. This provides options for easily reverting flawed survey settings if new redirects surface following configuration changes.
Without proper backups, resolving persistent survey redirect errors often requires rebuilding lists entirely from scratch.
