Microsoft Authenticator stuck in a login loop

Question

To sign in to my other account (e.g. to use Outlook for college), I need a verification code from the Authenticator app, but to access the code, I need to sign in to the same account with that code. Thus I can’t complete the login process since I can’t get the code in the app. Please help. When I select other methods, only popup notification is available but that doesn’t work for me at all, nothing happens.

Answer 1

Dear @Matej Samaržija

Based on your description, I understand how urgent this situation must feel. Please know you’re not alone in this, and I’ll guide you through every step to get you back in control as quickly as possible.

Since you are using education account, and your school has an MFA setting for your account, the best way is to contact your school IT staff directly so that they may reset your MFA settings to your mobile. You might also ask whether your MFA can be temporarily disabled to allow an emergency sign-in.   

The school IT admin can Revoke MFA sessions and require re-registration in Microsoft Entra admin center  

For more information and instruction, please ask the school IT Admin to follow the Microsoft Official Guide here: Manage authentication methods for Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication - Microsoft Entra ID | Microsoft Learn 

Note: If you do not know who your school IT admin is, please refer to this Microsoft Official article: How do I find my Microsoft 365 admin?

Please understand that as forum moderator, I don’t have access to the backend systems to troubleshoot this effectively due to privacy and security constraints. I am just organizing use cases and collecting data, including from you, on a daily basis and will continue to monitor the progress of this issue. I appreciate your understanding of these limits.

I hope the information shared helps point you in the right direction. Thank you for your patience and understanding. I'm looking forward for your update.

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Answer 2

This situation occurs when Microsoft Authenticator is the only registered MFA method and access to its codes/notifications is lost or blocked.

Follow the path that matches the type of account:

1. Work or school (Microsoft Entra ID / Microsoft 365)

1. Try any alternative method

• On the MFA prompt, select Sign in another way (or similar) and look for:
  • SMS/text code
  • Call to phone
  • Email code
  • Security key
• If any of these appear, use that method to sign in, then:
  • Go to your security/MFA settings and add at least one extra method (phone, email, security key) so you are not dependent on the app only.

2. If Authenticator is the only method and nothing else works

• This is an admin-side reset scenario. MFA must be cleared from the account so it can be re-registered.
• If this is a college or organization account and you are an end user:
  • Contact the organization’s Help desk or IT admin and ask them to reset your MFA / clear your authentication methods in Microsoft Entra.
  • After they clear your settings, the next sign-in will prompt to set up Authenticator again (or another MFA method).
• If you are the only admin for a tenant and also locked out:
  • Call Microsoft support using the regional customer service phone number and request escalation to the Data Protection team to reset MFA for at least one admin account. This is the documented path when no admin can sign in.

3. If you see “Authentication did not complete” or notifications never arrive

• Ensure Microsoft Authenticator is:
  • Unlocked (not protected by app lock/biometrics that are still locked).
  • Allowed to show notifications (no silent/blocked notifications).
  • Updated to the latest version.
  • On a device with working internet (try switching between Wi‑Fi and mobile data).
  • Using correct date and time settings.
• If the sign-in was flagged as unusual, open the Authenticator app and pull down to refresh or tap Refresh to see pending approvals instead of waiting for a push notification.

2. Personal Microsoft account (Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live, MSN)

1. Use the Security basics page

• Go to the Security basics page and choose Update info.
• If any working method is listed (alternate email, phone, etc.), use it to verify and then:
  • Add a new method (phone, alternate email, or Authenticator) so you are not locked into a single option.

2. If no methods work and codes never arrive

• If the account has been flagged for unusual activity or temporarily blocked, verification messages may not go through until the block clears.
• Avoid repeated attempts; if you see messages like Try another verification method, wait up to 24 hours (or longer, up to a week) before trying again, and switch network (different Wi‑Fi or mobile data) when retrying.

3. General guidance to avoid future loops

• Always register at least two MFA methods (for example: Authenticator + SMS, or Authenticator + alternate email).
• For work/school accounts, ask IT to enable additional methods if only push notifications are allowed and they are unreliable for you.

If none of the above options are available (no alternative methods, no admin access, and no codes arriving), the only resolution path is through the organization’s Help desk/IT admin (for work/school) or Microsoft support account recovery processes (for personal accounts), as support agents cannot bypass MFA or send codes directly.

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References:

• Common problems with two-step verification for a work or school account
• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
• Authentication methods in Microsoft Entra ID - Microsoft Authenticator app
• Troubleshoot problems with Microsoft Authenticator
• Authentication did not complete
• Having problems getting text codes to confirm my account - Microsoft Q&A
• Microsoft authenticator sending me into a spiral - Microsoft Q&A
• How Do I Regain Access to My Account After Losing Access to Microsoft Authenticator? (Urgent Request). - Microsoft Q&A