microsoft / microsoft/AzureStorageExplorer
Unable to sign in: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
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Description
Storage Explorer Version
1.44.0
Regression From
No response
Architecture
arm64
Storage Explorer Build Number
20260626.6
Platform
macOS
OS Version
macOS 26.5.1 (25F80)
Bug Description
On attempting to login on a fresh install of Azure Storage Explorer, the login process does not work correctly when set to 'Authentication Broker' (the default on a new install) - after selecting any option in 'Select azure environment' errors with Unable to sign in: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
Associated Log entries attached
1224aaee-AadAccountProviderService-13858-b0s3dngd-1.log
2026-07-01_075452_main_13319.log
Resource Types
No response
Authentication Method
Sign in
Connection Type
Sign in (subscription)
Steps to Reproduce
- Click 'Sign in with Azure'
- Window opens and immediately skips step 1 (Select Resource) and jumps to step 2 (Select Azure Environment)
- Selecting 'Azure' as the environment errors with Unable to sign in: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
Actual Experience
Unable to sign in: Object reference not set to an instance of an object. errors appears after trying to complete the sign in process.
Expected Experience
Prompted to login in and complete the login process
Additional Context
Workarounds tried:
- Choosing anything on the Select Azure Environment stage still produces the same issue
- Pressing back and selecting anything from the missing step 1 and proceeding produces the same issue
- Changing authentication method to Default Web Browser instead of Authentication Broker - succeeds and allowed log in
Contributor guide
No contributing guide indexed for this repository
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start by reviewing the attached AadAccountProviderService and main logs, then reproduce the fresh-install flow on macOS arm64 with Authentication Broker selected. Compare it with the working Default Web Browser method and trace why the Select Resource step is skipped. Done means Azure sign-in completes through Authentication Broker without the null-reference error.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Domain
- authentication
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Active
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 48/100