Authentication codes

Question

i am trying to log on to my Microsoft account and it is asking me for a code from the authentication app however when i go on the authentication app it is also ask me for a code for the same account so i am unable to to get a code for either and it wont let me verify any other way.

[Moderator edit: Changed tags from: Microsoft 365 and Office › Access › For business › Windows ]

Answer 1

Hi madison rattray,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum, and I’m sorry to hear you're having trouble accessing your account due to Microsoft Authenticator app.

To help determine the best solution for your situation, could you confirm the following details:

• Have you previously set up the Microsoft Authenticator app on any device for this account, or is this your first time trying to sign in?   
• If so, are you currently using the same device where you originally registered for the Authenticator app? Have you recently switched to a new device?

While waiting for your answer, here are the steps you can try to resolve the issue if you're on a work or school account:

If you’re an end-user, please follow these steps. However, if you’re an IT administrator and are experiencing an authenticator loop, let me know so I can provide guidance tailored to your role.

When your company enforces multi-factor authentication (MFA) and only allows verification through the Microsoft Authenticator app, the system will not display other options such as SMS, email, or phone call unless those methods have been configured by your administrator. That’s likely why you're being prompted exclusively for the Authenticator app.

 

If you haven’t installed the app yet, you can follow this official guide to get started: How to add your accounts to Microsoft Authenticator - Microsoft Support  

You can also refer to this article for instructions on signing in using the app:  Sign in using Microsoft Authenticator - Microsoft Support 

If you need further assistance, you can reach out to your IT administrator and share 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.

In case you are using a personal account, kindly share your account type so I can provide the correct instructions or connect you with the right team.

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. 

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.   

If you have any updates, feel free to leave a comment under this post. I’ll be happy to assist further. 

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 cooperation and understanding in resolving this matter. 

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