microsoft authenticator is not working

Question

I get 2 digit code from authenticator and I type in and I get an error.

Answer 1

Try these checks in order:

1. Make sure Microsoft Authenticator is unlocked on the phone when approving the sign-in. If the app is locked, the number-matching prompt may not complete.
2. Turn on Authenticator notifications in the phone settings. Silent or disabled notifications can prevent the approval prompt from appearing correctly.
3. Update Microsoft Authenticator to the latest version. Versions older than 12 months are not supported.
4. Check network connectivity. Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, and make sure Airplane mode is off. If a VPN is enabled, disconnect it and test again.
5. Verify the phone date and time are correct.
6. In Authenticator, open Settings and turn off battery optimization for the app, then check Notification Settings and make sure Show notifications is enabled.

If the app shows the 2-digit number but every attempt fails, complete the sign-in in Authenticator, Company Portal, or the primary Microsoft app on the device.

If this is a work or school account and the problem continues, contact the organization’s IT admin/Help desk to clear or reset the MFA registration so the device can be registered again.

If the device was lost or changed, sign in with another method if available, then update or replace the Authenticator registration.

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References:

• Troubleshoot problems with Microsoft Authenticator
• Authentication did not complete
• Authenticator Did Not Complete Login
• Common problems with two-step verification for a work or school account

Answer 2

Hi Greg

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum, and I’m sorry to hear you're having trouble accessing your account due to Microsoft Authenticator app. 

To better assist you, could you please clarify the following:  

• Have you previously set up the Microsoft Authenticator app on any device for this account, or is this your first time trying to sign in?    
• If so, are you currently using the same device where you originally registered the Authenticator app? Have you recently switched to a new device? 
• Could you please confirm whether you are an IT administrator for your organization? 

Additionally, when your organization enforces multi-factor authentication (MFA) and only allows verification through the Microsoft Authenticator app, the system will not display other options such as SMS, email, or phone call unless those methods have been configured by your administrator. That’s likely why you're being prompted exclusively for the Authenticator app.   

If you haven’t installed the app yet, you can follow this official guide to get started: How to add your accounts to Microsoft Authenticator - Microsoft Support    

You can also refer to this article for instructions on signing in using the app:  Sign in using Microsoft Authenticator - Microsoft Support   

If you need further assistance, you can reach out to your IT administrator and share the steps outlined in the article Manage user authentication methods for Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication. This will help them assist you in resetting your MFA settings and restoring access to your account.  

 

 

Once this is done, you’ll be prompted to set up MFA again on your new device during your next sign-in.  

Please note that forum advisors do not have access to user account settings and cannot assist with logging in, resetting passwords, or changing access rights. While we do not have access to internal systems or administrative tools required to resolve account-specific or backend-related issues but we’ll continue doing our best to support you within the scope of our responsibilities.    

If you have any updates, feel free to leave a comment under this post. I’ll be happy to assist further.   

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in resolving this matter. 

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