Microsoft Authenticator App Verification Loop

Question

I'm trying to login with my alternate Microsoft account, but it's linked to the Microsoft Authenticator App. I had the account on the app once but then deleted it because it was breaking some other things, which I eventually fixed. Now, however, I have to add the account back onto the Microsoft Authenticator App to actually login to the account anywhere. So I open the Microsoft Authenticator app, click "add account", and since I can't get a QR code from anywhere (I'll explain why momentarily), I click "Sign In". I type in my email and password, hit sign in, and then it brings up the screen that says "Approve a request on my Microsoft Authenticator app". I can't approve the request in the app at all because it doesn't ever send a request, so I hit "I can't use my Microsoft Authenticator app right now." Then it shows two options: "Approve a request on my Microsoft Authenticator app" and "Use a verification code". I click "Use a verification code" as it's the only other option, and what do you know, I have to "Enter the code displayed in the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device." Well, obviously I can't do that because the account doesn't exist on the app. When I'm back on the page with the two options, at the bottom it says: "Are your verification methods current? Check at https://aka.ms/mfasetup". So I click the link, and it brings up a login screen. I try to login, same exact issue that's occurring on the Microsoft Authenticator app shows up here. Back to what I said about the QR code, I can't get a QR code because, even though the account isn't on the app, whenever I try to login anywhere, instead of showing the option that allows me to link it to the Microsoft Authenticator app, it just shows the "Approve sign in request" screen. I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling the app, I've tried restarting my phone, I've tried retrieving the account from backups, and none of it has worked.

Answer 1

I've been having this same issue for about two weeks. The exact same situation where I'm stuck in a loop. The most infuriating part is that the Authenticator App itself asks me to log in using the Authenticator App. Literally, I'm using the app and it's telling me to use the app.

It also says to send a code to a phone number, but the phone number on file is old and no longer receives messages. I can't change the number without logging into my account. Thus, the cycle continues.

Please, someone help. My employers said they can't fix it on their end.

Answer 2

did you recieve any answr to this question. I just bought a new iphone and cant log onto to any of my work accounts. And so far have not receieved an help or answers from microsoft

Answer 3

Perhaps you can repost your question in the Q&A forums for better support?

microsoft-authenticator - Microsoft Q&A