How do I troubleshoot an error trying to add a Farm Administrator

Question

Can someone please explain to me HOW to figure out what is causing the unbelievably vague error of "Server Error in '/' Application....turn off custom errors...blah, blah, blah"

Of course, I have changed ever web.config in the c:\InetPub\wwwroot folder (and subfolders) to have the correct setting....and still.

When I attempt to add a new user via the 'Central Administration:Site Settings:People and Groups - Farm Administrators'

I'm able to enter the user name on the 'Grant Permissions' but when I click ok...I get the error.

any advice would be great!

thanks

Answer 1

Of course, I have changed ever web.config in the c:\InetPub\wwwroot folder (and subfolders)

Actually, starting from SharePoint 2010, they have several additional web.config files in 14 hive. If error is happening under _layouts folder, you will need this web.config:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\14\TEMPLATE\LAYOUTS\web.config

Also, you can find this error details either in your LOGS folder, or using PowerShell Get-SPLogEvent. Sometimes, Windows Event Viewer can also help you.

Answer 2

Are you running a windows server 2012 environment?

Try running psconfig a couple of times....