Knowledgebase

This error is usually caused by the asp.net worker process or the server recycling. By default, ASP.NET encrypts the viewstate using an Autogenerated Key when the process spins up. The problem comes when a client (browser) sends the request with a viewstate encrypted with the key generated by another worker process. Since the key is different, ASP.NET will not be able to decrypt the viewstate and it will throw the above error.

There are several ways to get around this problem:

1) Host your site on a server where the application pools never recycle! Obviously, this is impossible in Shared Hostings. You need a VPS server or dedicated server, where you can configure your own settings.

2) Disable ViewstateMac by putting this “enableViewStateMac="false"” in your web.config. This approach is not 100% secure.

3) Configure ASP.NET to not use Auto-Generated Key but rather a predefined key. This is the preferred method. 

To do this, follow these steps:

a) Either build your own Key Generator (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/313091) or use this tool (http://www.allkeysgenerator.com/Random/ASP-Net-MachineKey-Generator.aspx). I highly recommend you use the online tool. So assuming you will use the online tool:

b) In the online tool, simply click on “Generate”. 

c) Copy the content in the textbox into your site’s web.config file. The machineKey node should be within <system.web>

eg.

<?xml version="1.0"?>

<configuration>
<appSettings/>
<connectionStrings/>
<system.web>
<machineKey 
validationKey="2EEA416CEFC6D6BE856ED57B97FB9CA7DFACE17C073125949A1D682C80A44BB2AD887DDDC13DBFB0954F1000FEE5757E99693F222F8E28CAA2E6DAB8C4F99E0C" decryptionKey="877478B2F33A74226ABEF55FDCC1A76E43F1BBEA6241A592" validation="SHA1" />
<compilation debug="false"/>
<authentication mode="Windows"/>
<pages enableViewStateMac="true"/>
</system.web>
</configuration>

For more information on viewstate troubleshooting, see http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;829743