Authenticator app not working

Question

The authenticator app won't let me approve anything, nothing shows up

Answer 1

Try these steps in order, checking after each one to see if approvals start working again:

1. Make sure the Authenticator app is unlocked
   • Open Microsoft Authenticator and ensure it is not locked behind a PIN/biometric inside the app.
   • If the app is locked, unlock it and try the sign-in again so the approval prompt or code entry box can appear.
2. Check notifications
   • On the device, open Settings → Notifications and confirm that notifications are allowed for Microsoft Authenticator.
   • Ensure notifications are not set to Silent/Do not disturb for the app.
   • During sign-in, also check SMS/text messages in case a verification code was sent silently instead of a push.
3. Update Authenticator and the device
   • Open the app store and update Microsoft Authenticator to the latest version. Older versions (more than 12 months old) are not supported.
   • Make sure the device OS and any security apps (such as Intune Company Portal or Microsoft Defender) are fully updated.
4. Check network and device time
   • Confirm the device has a working internet connection; if needed, switch between Wi‑Fi and mobile data and try again.
   • Ensure the device’s Date & time are correct and set to automatic if possible.
5. If using mobile data or VPN
   • If on mobile data, try Wi‑Fi, and if on Wi‑Fi, try mobile data.
   • Temporarily disconnect any VPN and test sign‑in again.
6. If the app still shows nothing
   • If nothing appears at all during sign‑in (no prompt, no code), remove and re-add the account in Authenticator only if there is another working sign‑in method (such as SMS or backup codes) so the account can be re-registered safely.
   • If there is no alternative sign‑in method and access is completely blocked, contact the organization’s IT admin or Microsoft support to reset MFA or help complete sign‑in.

If the issue appears specifically as an “Authentication did not complete” message, the same causes and fixes above apply: locked app, silent/disabled notifications, outdated app, network issues, or incorrect device time.

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References:

• Authenticator Did Not Complete Login
• Microsoft Authenticator FAQs
• Troubleshoot problems with Microsoft Authenticator
• Authentication did not complete