When performing a bulk update of employee email addresses in NetSuite, it’s often necessary to reset user passwords so they are prompted to change them on next login. However, during this process, you may encounter a specific error that affects how the reset should be handled.
Error Message Encountered
When updating an email address and attempting to reset the password, you might receive the following error:
“The password cannot be changed here because the email address is associated with multiple accounts. The user must change their password via the link in the settings portal of the home page.”
Cause
This error typically occurs when the same email address is linked to multiple roles or accounts within NetSuite. Because of this, NetSuite enforces a restriction that prevents password resets directly from the employee record.
Solution
When this error appears, no need to update the password or check the “Require Password Change on Next Login” box, as it won’t apply due to the restriction. NetSuite will inherit the existing password for the user after the email update is completed. The user will still be able to log in using their current credentials.
Best Practice
When performing bulk email updates:
- Prepare for a mixture of scenarios, especially if users have multiple roles or NetSuite accounts.
- Monitor errors during import and handle exceptions manually where necessary.
- Communicate with the users affected by this scenario to instruct them to reset their password via the Settings Portal if needed.