Circular sign in problem: microsoft authenticator

Question

I am unable to add a personal account to Microsoft authenticator. When I attempt to, I am asked to approve a request on my authenticator app (which doesn't have the said account registered..... circular!) When I ask the app to send a log-in code to either my mobile number or email address, I receive nothing.

I am wondering if the problem is that, where I previously had authenticator set-up on a different phone (not a different number), my Microsoft account still has me down as registered.... but I can't access any of my security settings to check or alter this because of the circular issue above!!!!!!!!

Please help.

Answer 1

It sounds like you're experiencing a circular authentication issue with Microsoft Authenticator, which can be frustrating. Here are some steps you can take to resolve the problem:

1. Check Device Registration: Since you mentioned that you previously had the Authenticator set up on a different phone, it's possible that your account is still linked to that device. You may need to remove that device from your account settings. However, since you can't access your security settings due to the circular issue, this might be challenging.
2. Use Recovery Options: If you are not receiving codes via SMS or email, ensure that your phone number and email address are correctly registered with your Microsoft account. If possible, try using a different recovery method, such as answering security questions, if set up.
3. Contact Support: If you cannot resolve the issue through the app or recovery options, consider reaching out to Microsoft support. They can help you regain access to your account and assist in removing the old device registration.
4. Reset Authenticator: If you have access to another device, you can try reinstalling the Authenticator app and setting it up again. This might help in case the app is experiencing issues.
5. Check for App Updates: Ensure that your Microsoft Authenticator app is updated to the latest version, as updates may resolve bugs or issues.

These steps should help you address the circular sign-in problem. If you continue to face issues, contacting Microsoft support would be the best course of action.

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References:

• Can't set up MFA because five devices are already registered to use an authenticator app
• Frequently asked questions about Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication