Security Keys Not Working

Question

Hello,

This doesn't pertain to Microsoft, but more Windows in general. I have physical security keys (specifically the Yubikey) tied to several of my accounts (Microsoft included). I was thankfully able to log in here, but over the last week or so, I have tried several keys, and one day I'll be able to log in to my accounts, and the next day, I won't. I'll try multiple keys, and it will give me messages like "unable to read your key" or "unable to authenticate:" Yet when I log on to the same accounts on my Mac, using the same keys, I am able to log in without issue. Since I am trying to be more secure on line, not having the keys work is an issue.

Again, I realize this isn't a Microsoft specific issue, but I don't know where else to ask (other than Reddit). I know some of the recent Windows updates have had bugs; could this be contributing to my issues with signing into my accounts using security keys? I don't think it's the keys themselves, as, again, I am able to sign in to my accounts using them on my Mac.

***moved from Windows / Windows 11 / Accounts, profiles, and login***

Answer 1

Hello Kendra_505,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

It sounds like you're experiencing some inconsistencies with your physical security keys on certain devices. Here are a few steps you might consider to troubleshoot the issue:

1.Check USB Ports and Connections:

• Try Different Ports: Sometimes, specific USB ports can be problematic. Try using a different USB port on the device that is having trouble.
• Inspect Ports and Keys: Ensure that the USB ports and connectors on your YubiKeys are clean and free from debris.

2.Update Drivers and Firmware:

• Device Drivers: Ensure that your computer's USB drivers are up to date. Sometimes, outdated drivers can cause issues.
• YubiKey Firmware: Check if your YubiKey firmware is up to date. You can use the YubiKey Manager to check for updates.

3.Software and Browser Updates:

• Ensure that your operating system and browsers are up to date. Some authentication issues could be related to bugs or updates in the software.

4.Test Compatibility with Other Devices:

• Test on Different Machines: Since your Mac is working fine, try using the YubiKey on another Windows device to determine if the issue is specific to one machine.

5.Security Software:

• Check Antivirus/Firewall: Sometimes, security software might interfere with the functioning of security keys. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus or firewall to see if that resolves the issue.

6.YubiKey Configuration:

• Reset YubiKey: If possible, use the YubiKey Manager to check the configuration of your keys. Ensure that they are set up correctly.
• Re-register YubiKey: If issues persist, consider removing and re-adding the YubiKey to your accounts.

7.Logs and Error Messages:

• Look at the specific error messages you receive when the authentication fails. Sometimes these messages can provide clues about what’s going wrong.

If you continue to experience issues despite trying these steps, it might be worth reaching out to Yubico's support team for more specialized assistance. They may have more detailed insights into issues specific to their products.

I hope the information above is helpful.

If you have any question or concern, please feel free to let us know.

Best Regards,

Daisy Zhou