Setting up MS Authenticator

Question

Desperate for help. I'm trying to set up MS Authenticator as I'm locked out of one of my hotmail accounts. I can't remember the email password. Sending code by text doesn't seem to work to set up authenticator. I'm travelling at the moment so everything is so complicated.

Answer 1

If the account is already asking for a verification code from Authenticator, Authenticator cannot usually be set up first unless another sign-in or verification method is still available.

For a personal Hotmail account, the supported path is:

1. Go to the Microsoft account Security page: https://account.microsoft.com/security
2. Select Manage how I sign in.
3. If access is available with another method, select Add a new way to sign in or verify.
4. Choose Use an app.
5. In Microsoft Authenticator on the phone, tap the plus icon.
6. Select Personal account and scan the QR code.
7. If the camera cannot be used, select I can't scan the bar code on the PC and Enter code manually in the app.

Because the password is forgotten, also use the password reset path if sign-in cannot be completed: Reset your password.

If text verification is not working while traveling, check these common causes that can block authentication:

• Microsoft Authenticator is locked on the device
• Notifications are silent or disabled
• The app is outdated
• The phone has network issues; switching between Wi‑Fi and mobile data can help
• The phone date and time are incorrect

If the account is completely locked in a loop and no other verification method works, the available guidance is to recover access first, then add Authenticator afterward.

---

References:

• How to add your accounts to Microsoft Authenticator
• Troubleshoot problems with Microsoft Authenticator