Microsoft login

Question

I’m trying to login into my college account on Microsoft. I cannot for the life of me remember the password. And when I try to reset my password, it’s asking me for a code from the authenticator app. However, the app has logged me out of my Microsoft account and therefore I can’t log in.

is there any way around this?

Answer 1

Hi @Sasja Elliott,

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

The lockout occurred because Microsoft’s Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) relies on the Authenticator app as the primary verification method. When the app is signed out or removed, it can no longer generate valid codes, and password resets still require MFA for security. Without a backup method (like SMS or alternate email), the system defaults to the app, creating a loop. This design prevents bypassing MFA to protect accounts.

Since you are using a work or school email address, the MFA settings are managed by your college's IT department. For assistance with resetting or updating your MFA, you will need to contact them directly to resolve this. 

Please contact your college's IT Help Desk or support team and explain the situation. You can say: "I am stuck in a login loop between Microsoft Outlook and the Microsoft Authenticator app. I cannot get the code to sign in." 

Specifically ask them to “Reset my password and MFA settings or allow me to re-register for MFA". This is a standard request, and your college's IT team should be able to assist you with it.

You can also share the steps in this Microsoft article for them so they can help reset your MFA settings for you Manage user authentication methods for Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication.

Once your school'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 but we’ll continue doing our best to support you within the scope of our responsibilities.   

I hope this helps you regain access to your account quickly. I'm glad to assist and truly hope the information provided has been useful. Please feel free to reach out anytime if you need further assistance.

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 kindness and contributions to the forum.

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Answer 2

If you're unable to log into your college Microsoft account because you forgot your password and cannot access the authenticator app, you have a couple of options:

1. Use the Self-Service Password Reset: If your college has enabled this feature, you can use the Self-Service Password Reset wizard. Go to https://passwordreset.microsoftonline.com and follow the instructions. You may need to provide an alternative email or phone number if you have set those up.
2. Contact Your Administrator: If you are unable to reset your password using the above method, contact your college's IT support or administrator. They can assist you with resetting your password or recovering access to your account.
3. Check for Alternative Verification Methods: If you have set up multiple verification methods (like email or phone number), try using those to receive a verification code instead of relying solely on the authenticator app.
4. Reinstall the Authenticator App: If you still have access to your mobile device, try reinstalling the authenticator app. You may be able to regain access to your account by signing in with your Microsoft account credentials and reconfiguring the app.

If none of these options work, your best course of action is to reach out to your college's support team for further assistance.