2 Step Verification

Question

When I try to set up 2 step verification so I can get a code to login to other websites; it tells be to get a code from my authenticator app which isn't giving me a code nor can I use the one time password that refreshes because I dont have 2 factor verification set up, what do I do?

Answer 1

The authenticator app only shows valid codes after the account has been fully registered for two-step verification (2FA/MFA). If the app is asking for a code to finish setup but the app is not yet providing one, the account’s multi-factor setup is stuck and must be reset from outside the app.

Use these approaches depending on the type of account:

1. If this is a work or school (Microsoft Entra / Microsoft 365) account
   • Try another sign-in method if available (SMS, email, backup phone, hardware key). When prompted for verification, look for options like “Use a different verification option” or “I can’t use my authenticator app right now” and choose SMS/email instead.
   • Once signed in, go to your organization’s security/MFA setup page and reconfigure two-step verification, adding the Authenticator app again from scratch.
   • If no alternative method works and you are an end user, contact your organization’s help desk or Microsoft 365 admin and ask them to reset your MFA settings. In the Microsoft Entra admin center they can:
     • Go to Identity → Users → All users → select your account → Authentication methods.
     • Use “Require re-register multifactor authentication” to clear your current registration so you can set up the app again on next sign-in.
   • If you are the only admin and locked out, a Microsoft support ticket (Data Protection team) is required so they can reset MFA on the tenant side, as described in the moderator guidance.
2. If this is a personal Microsoft account used for sign-in elsewhere
   • Ensure two-step verification is actually turned on and that the account is fully configured with at least two security methods (email, phone, or authenticator app). When 2FA is enabled, Microsoft sends a security code to one of these methods whenever signing in on an untrusted device.
   • If you cannot complete sign-in because the app is not giving a code and no other method works, use the account recovery flow and choose options like “I don’t have any of these” when prompted for verification. Provide as much accurate information as possible so the account can be recovered and security info reset.
   • After recovery and successful sign-in, reconfigure two-step verification and add the Authenticator app as a method. Only after this registration will the app show valid codes that can be used on other websites that rely on this Microsoft account.

If none of your configured methods (phone, email, authenticator) are accessible, support cannot bypass 2FA directly; the account must go through the official recovery or, for work/school accounts, an admin/Data Protection reset of MFA.

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References:

• Common problems with two-step verification for a work or school account
• How to use two-step verification with your Microsoft account
• Microsoft Authenticator app doesn't show 6-digit OTP code - Microsoft Q&A
• Microsoft authenticator sending me into a spiral - Microsoft Q&A
• Reset Personal Azure MFA - Microsoft Q&A
• Unable to change password in my Outlook - Microsoft Q&A
• Can't sign in to my email - Microsoft Q&A