Authenticator App not giving codes. In a loop

Question

Hi, i am trying to use the authenticator on my phone. However no codes are ever generated. When I try to reset or sign in again it says 'please enter the code in your authenticator app on your phone', however, I am currently using my phone to try to sign in, so can't get back to see any code Can anyone help with this? Seems like I'm in a loop.

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Answer 1

It sounds like you're experiencing an issue with the authenticator app not generating codes, which can indeed create a frustrating loop when trying to sign in. Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can take:

1. Check the Clock Settings: Ensure that the clock on your phone is set correctly. If the time is out of sync, it can cause issues with code generation. You may need to disable the "Set Time Automatically" option temporarily to adjust it.
2. Restart the App: Close the authenticator app completely and then reopen it to see if it starts generating codes.
3. Reinstall the App: If the above steps do not work, consider uninstalling and then reinstalling the authenticator app. Make sure to back up any necessary information before doing this.
4. Use Backup Codes: If you have backup codes provided during the setup of MFA, you can use those to sign in instead of relying on the authenticator app.
5. Contact Support: If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may need to reach out to your IT administrator or Microsoft support for further assistance.

These steps should help you get out of the loop and regain access to your account.

Answer 2

I've been running into the same issue - can't login to my account online, because MS Authenticator isn't showing a code. I can't setup this same account on my phone, because the 2FA that Authenticator needs is only done via MS Authenticator - which is stuck in the process of trying to log me into my account in Authenticator! And the only options for 'try something else' are Authenticator options! :( This is terrible.