Authenticator app not showing verification number , no other way to access account, never ending loop

Question

I am stuck in a never ending loop with the Authenticator app .

i got new iPhone yesterday and i am trying to log in to my <Mod remove PII> email account

it repetitively asks me for a verification number from Authenticator app. The number never shows up! I can’t log in anywhere now and 0 access to my business email account which runs my entire life!!! I am so frustrated and have no access to my business. There is no phone number or direct customer service line. This is horrible situation for me and I need help asap please!! i can literally not work until this is corrected. I’d like my accounts totally removed from Authenticator app as it is been nothing been a horrible experience since the beginning.

Answer 1

Hi @Anthony LaBarca,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Q&A forum and I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble logging into your Microsoft account. 

This issue commonly occurs when your Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) settings need to be reset, particularly after changing devices or reinstalling the Microsoft Authenticator app. Since your new device hasn’t been configured with the Authenticator yet, you're currently unable to access your account. The app remains linked to your previous device, which is why you're not receiving the authentication codes.

If you're an admin or an end-user in your organization, you can ask the other IT admins in your organization who can help you with the reset MFA for your account and share with them the steps outlined in the article Manage user authentication methods for Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication. This will help them assist you in resetting your MFA settings and restoring access to your account.

Once your organization's IT admin has reset your MFA, the next time you log in to your account, you will be guided through the process of setting up the Microsoft Authenticator app again from the beginning by scanning a QR code. This will break the loop and allow you to access your account normally. 

Additionally, administrator accounts carry elevated privileges, making them a prime target for cyberattacks. MFA adds a critical layer of defense, reducing the risk of unauthorized access even if a password is compromised. That is why we strongly encourage you use the authenticator app. This proactive step helps safeguard your account and supports our collective responsibility to maintain a secure environment.

Please note that forum moderators do not have access to user account settings and cannot assist with logging in, resetting passwords, or changing access rights. While we do not have access to internal systems or administrative tools required to resolve account-specific or backend-related issues, we’ll continue doing our best to support you within the scope of our responsibilities.   

I hope this helps you regain access to your account quickly. I'm glad to assist and truly hope the information provided has been useful. Please feel free to reach out anytime if you need further assistance.

If you find my post helpful, kindly consider marking it as the accepted answer. Doing so can assist others in the community who may have similar questions in finding solutions more quickly.

Thank you for your kindness and contributions to the forum.

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