unable to retrieve metadata for unrecognized element providers

Question

I get a message error whenever I try to add a controller with Entity framework template but I keep getting a error message

    unable to retrieve metadata for \'         


        

Answer 1

I was able to fix this issue by removing the <providers> section of the configuration file.

This:

<entityFramework>
  <defaultConnectionFactory type="System.Data.Entity.Infrastructure.SqlConnectionFactory, EntityFramework" />
  <providers>
    <provider invariantName="System.Data.SqlClient" type="System.Data.Entity.SqlServer.SqlProviderServices, EntityFramework.SqlServer" />
  </providers>
</entityFramework>

Becomes this:

<entityFramework>
  <defaultConnectionFactory type="System.Data.Entity.Infrastructure.SqlConnectionFactory, EntityFramework" />
</entityFramework>

I had this issue this morning and just found the fix. If you don't specify the database (and provider I guess) EF will default to SQL Server Express.

Answer 2

MVC scaffolding does not support Entity Framework 6 or later

Please unistall current version Entity Framework, vs Install-Package EntityFramework -Version 5.0.0.

Delete tag ...

Restart VS

OK