Unable to login to Azure Portal due to 2FA issues

Question

An Azure Portal free subscription is being used. Recently, settings were adjusted to enable 2FA. However, when attempting to access the portal today, the 2FA codes generated by the Authenticator app are not working. Are there alternative methods available for signing in?

Answer 1

Hello @Muraleekrishnan Unnithan ,

Thank you for reaching out on Microsoft Q&A.
I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing issues with your Microsoft Authenticator app. Here are some steps you can try to regain access to your Azure account.

Verify that your device's time settings are correct. Since authenticator apps generate time-based codes, an incorrect time setting may cause login failures. Make sure your device is set to the correct time zone and that the time is synchronized with an internet time server.

If the issue persists, try reinstalling the Microsoft Authenticator app. First, uninstall the app from your device, restart your device, and then reinstall the app. After reinstalling, set up your accounts again using the provided setup instructions.
Check your internet connection. Although the Microsoft Authenticator app generates codes offline, an active internet connection may be required for initial setup and account synchronization. Ensure you are connected to a stable Wi-Fi or mobile data network.

If you still have access to your account through another method, such as backup codes or another trusted device, try removing and re-adding your account in the Microsoft Authenticator app. This can help force a resynchronization of your authentication settings.

If the authenticator app is not working, you can try alternative sign-in methods. On the Azure sign-in page, select "Sign in another way" and choose an alternative verification method, such as receiving a code via SMS or email.

If you have previously saved backup codes when setting up two-factor authentication (2FA), you can use one of them to log in. These codes can serve as an alternative if your authenticator app is not generating valid codes.

If the issue persists, feel free to provide additional details, and I’d be happy to assist further.

I hope this information is helpful. Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions. If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".