Having trouble with the Microsoft authenicator app

Question

Im stuck in a login loop where im trying to log in to my college email but it requires me to approve the login with the Authenticator app. However it seems I need to relogin on the Authenticator app but I also need to approve THAT login with the Authenticator app, it’s just impossible. Someone please reach out to me and resolve this as soon as possible.

Answer 1

Hi @Natalie, 

I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this. In situations like this, what needs to happen is a reset of your multi‑factor authentication (MFA) so you can register the Authenticator app again from scratch. Because your email account is provided and managed by your school, this reset has to be performed by your school’s IT administrator. 

I’d recommend reaching out to your university’s IT helpdesk and asking them to revoke your existing MFA sessions and require MFA re‑registration. You can share this official guide with them, which walks admins through the exact steps: Manage authentication methods for Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication - Microsoft Entra ID |…   

This process will remove previous sign-in sessions and the next time you sign in, you’ll be prompted to set up MFA again, which should help you receive the code successfully.   

As a forum moderator, I don’t have the ability to reset authentication or access accounts directly, as these actions are managed by your organization. From my position, guiding you to the appropriate support team is the most effective way I can help. 

I truly hope this information helps you get unstuck and regain access to your email soon.

Thank you for your understanding! 

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Answer 2

For a college (work or school) account stuck in an Authenticator loop, the sign-in cannot be fixed from the app alone. An administrator or Microsoft support must reset the multifactor authentication (MFA) methods so a fresh setup can be done.

Use these steps depending on the situation:

1. If there is another sign-in method available

• On the sign-in screen, look for options like Use a different verification option, I can’t use my Microsoft Authenticator app right now, Sign in another way, or SMS/phone/email.
• If any of these work, sign in and then:
  • Ask the college IT/help desk to reset your MFA registration in Microsoft Entra so you can re-register the Authenticator app.

2. If Authenticator is the only method and nothing else works

• This is the same “endless MFA loop” described in the referenced cases: the app is required to sign in, but cannot be set up because sign-in itself requires the app.
• In this case, only the organization’s IT admin can fix it by resetting your MFA settings in Microsoft Entra (Entra admin center → Users → your account → Authentication methods → Require re-register multifactor authentication).
• Contact the college’s IT/help desk or Microsoft 365 administrator and explain:
  • The account is a college (work/school) account.
  • The phone changed or the Authenticator app was reset.
  • Authenticator is the only MFA method and you are stuck in a loop.
  • You need them to reset your MFA methods so you can set up Authenticator again.

3. If you are the only admin on a tenant (for admins reading this)

• When there is no other admin to reset MFA, Microsoft’s Data Protection team must verify identity and reset the admin’s MFA, as described in the referenced Q&A threads. This is done by calling the Microsoft customer service phone numbers and asking to open a ticket with the Data Protection team.

End users cannot break this loop themselves; it must be resolved by the organization’s IT admin or, for sole admins, by Microsoft support after identity verification.

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References:

• Troubleshoot problems with Microsoft Authenticator
• Common problems with two-step verification for a work or school account
• How Do I Regain Access to My Account After Losing Access to Microsoft Authenticator? (Urgent Request). - Microsoft Q&A
• I have a Micrsoft business account and I am the admin and the only user registered under this account. I can't log in because i have replaced my phone and the authenticator doesn't work. - Microsoft Q&A
• Microsoft authenticator sending me into a spiral - Microsoft Q&A
• I need to reset my mfa methods - Microsoft Q&A
• Requesting a Tenant Admin MFA Reset - Microsoft Q&A