authentication

Question

alexander tordilla 0

microsoft authenticators don't work. it is very difficult to log in to my microsoft accounts

alexander tordilla 0 Reputation points

2026-04-20T04:58:35.6466667+00:00

but in order to use the MS authenticator, i need to log in to my account which requires another verification from the authenticator app which by itself cannot be opened

1 answer

alexander tordilla 0 Reputation points

2026-04-20T04:58:35.6466667+00:00

but in order to use the MS authenticator, i need to log in to my account which requires another verification from the authenticator app which by itself cannot be opened

Answer 1

Try these checks and fixes step by step for Microsoft Authenticator sign-in problems:

Open the Microsoft Authenticator app and ensure it is unlocked (no app lock screen blocking it). If the app is locked, the approval/number entry box may never appear.
On the phone, go to Settings → Notifications → Microsoft Authenticator and confirm notifications are allowed, not silenced, and can show on the lock screen.

Fix common “Authentication did not complete” issues If seeing an “Authentication did not complete” message:

Confirm the app is unlocked.
Ensure notifications are not set to silent and that text messages are not being filtered; check SMS inbox for codes that may have arrived quietly.
Update to the latest version of Microsoft Authenticator from the app store.
Check network connectivity: switch between Wi‑Fi and mobile data and try again.
Verify the device’s date and time are set correctly (automatic time zone is recommended).
If sign-in fails because of forgotten credentials, use Reset your password: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2153608

Android-specific checks (work/school accounts) If using Android and having trouble adding a work/school account or enabling passwordless sign-in:

Ensure Google Play Services and Google Play Store are installed and enabled.
Confirm the device requires a PIN or biometric (face/fingerprint) to unlock. If needed, re-enable faceID/fingerprint, restart the device, unlock with that method, then try enabling passwordless again.
If using Android for Work / Work Profile, make sure PIN/biometric is enabled for that profile.
Ensure hardware encryption is enabled (see: Encrypt your Android device).
In Authenticator: Settings → Device Registration and confirm the account is registered for passwordless and joined to work/school; sign in there if needed, then re‑enable passwordless.

For messages like “Sorry, only part of the set up completed successfully” or “We could not complete the sign-in at this time”, verify push notifications are enabled, Google Play Services/Store are active (Android), and network connectivity is good. Then remove the account from Authenticator and add it again.

If unable to complete sign-in even after these steps and this is a work or school account, contact the organization’s IT admin and ask them to reset or re-register multifactor authentication for the account.
If this is a personal Microsoft account and password reset also fails, contact Microsoft Support for further identity verification.

References: