How to fix authentication issues

Question

It won’t let me authenticate because it says the flow is interrupted, i tried to use the code to approve it from the app but it wouldn’t show on the app.

Answer 1

Follow these steps to resolve the “authentication did not complete / flow interrupted” issue when the approval code or prompt does not appear in Microsoft Authenticator:

1. Unlock the Authenticator app
   • Open Microsoft Authenticator on the device.
   • Make sure the app itself is unlocked (for example, via PIN, fingerprint, or device lock). If the app is locked, the prompt or code entry box might not appear.
2. Check notification settings
   • On the device, open system Settings > Notifications.
   • Ensure notifications are allowed for Microsoft Authenticator.
   • Turn off “silent” or “deliver quietly” modes for Authenticator so prompts are visible and audible.
   • If SMS is configured as a backup method, check text messages for a code that may have arrived silently.
3. Update Microsoft Authenticator
   • Open the device’s app store.
   • Search for Microsoft Authenticator and install any available update so the latest version is used.
4. Verify network connectivity
   • Ensure the phone has a working internet connection (Wi‑Fi or mobile data).
   • If prompts are not arriving, switch between Wi‑Fi and mobile data and try the sign‑in again.
5. Check device date and time
   • On the device, set date and time to automatic/network‑provided.
   • Incorrect time can cause codes or approvals to fail.
6. If sign‑in still fails
   • If the issue is actually that the account cannot be accessed at all (no code, no prompt, and no backup method), the MFA configuration may need to be reset by an administrator or Microsoft support, depending on whether this is a work/school or personal account. In that case, contact the appropriate admin or Microsoft support channel to have MFA reset and then re‑register Authenticator.

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References:

• Authentication did not complete
• Troubleshoot problems with Microsoft Authenticator