Unable to login on mobile device

Question

Hello,

I am unable to login on my mobile device. When I attempt to login on OneNote on my android device, it tells me "You've tried to sign in too many times with an incorrect account or password" then asks me to enter in both the password and now a captcha to "make sure you're not a robot".

When i attempt to sign in through the built in email client, it also gives me the same prompt.

I have reset my password multiple times to no avail. I have setup 2 factor both through the MS app, text code and separate email code. None of these options work.

I am able to actively login and log out on my desktop through the web browser.

Is there something wrong with Microsoft's authentication systems? Has a recent update broken things?

Answer 1

Hi! Sign-in can be blocked on a new device, new app, or new location/network even when the account itself is fine, which explains why your desktop browser can still work while Android app sign-ins are challenged or blocked. The recent activity page does not show all account activity, only significant events, so not seeing every failed mobile attempt there is expected.

On the wait time, stop retrying, because repeated attempts can reset the lock, waiting 24 to 48 hours may be enough, but in some cases, you may need to wait longer, even up to a week. After waiting, try signing in first from the phone’s browser on that same device. If it still fails after the waiting period, use this form:
https://www.microsoft.com/digitalsafety/account-reinstatement

Answer 2

The behavior matches Microsoft’s protection against repeated or unusual sign-in attempts, not a general outage.

On mobile, repeated failed attempts or many rapid sign-ins can trigger additional checks (CAPTCHA, extra prompts) and may temporarily block or throttle sign-in, even if the password is now correct. Since sign-in works on desktop, the account and password are valid; the issue is specific to mobile sign-in and security controls.

Try the following sequence on the Android device:

1. Wait out the lockout
   • Because there have been many attempts, wait before trying again on the phone. Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication can block additional attempts when it detects repeated sign-ins.
   • During this period, avoid further sign-in attempts from the mobile device to prevent extending the block.
2. Ensure the mobile apps are current
   • Update OneNote for Android from Google Play to the latest version.
   • If using the built-in email client, ensure the device OS and mail app are also up to date.
3. Fully close and reset the affected apps
   • For OneNote:
     • Go to Android Settings > Applications (or Apps) > OneNote > Force stop.
     • Reopen OneNote and try sign-in again after the waiting period.
   • For the built-in email client, remove the Microsoft account from the mail app, then add it back after the waiting period.
4. Verify credentials and account type in a browser on the phone
   • On the same Android device, open the browser and sign in to the Microsoft account or Microsoft 365 account that is used with OneNote.
   • Confirm the username and password work there. This also helps satisfy some security checks from that device.
5. If still blocked after multiple attempts and time
   • The error can be caused by Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication detecting unusual activity. If this is a work or school account, contact the organization’s IT administrator and ask them to review sign-in logs and MFA configuration, and to assist with any sign-in blocks.

There is no indication in the provided information that a general Microsoft authentication outage or a specific update has broken mobile sign-in. The symptoms align with security protections reacting to repeated or unusual sign-in attempts on the mobile device.

---

References:

• Common problems with two-step verification for a work or school account
• Use a screen reader to set up and troubleshoot multifactor authentication
• What you can do in the Microsoft 365 apps on mobile devices with a Microsoft 365 subscription
• "Account Error - Action Required" message in OneNote for Android