No verification code in Authenticator Application

Question

I cannot get my authentication code. Every time I try to add my account it asks me to Verify the Authenticator app code but I never got it.

Please help me

Answer 1

Dear @Harkhani, Urvil,

I understand how frustrating it is to be trapped in a loop where setting up your account requires an Authenticator app code that you cannot view yet.

This loop occurs because the system is attempting to verify your sign-in using the Microsoft Authenticator app, but the account profile inside the app has not been fully registered or approved yet.

Here is the direct solution to break this loop and regain access to your account: Step 1: Use an Alternative Verification Method

When prompted to verify your identity on the sign-in screen, avoid choosing the default Authenticator app option:

1. On the verification screen, click the link that says "Sign in another way" or "I can't use my Microsoft Authenticator app right now".
2. Select an alternative security method, such as receiving a code via SMS Text Message or Email.
3. Enter the code sent to your phone or email to complete the sign-in.

Step 2: Clear and Re-register the Authenticator App Once you sign in, reset your Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) methods to cleanly re-add the app:

1. For Work or School Accounts (Microsoft 365 Business/Education):
   • Go to your account security portal at https://aka.ms/setupsecurityinfo.
   • Locate Microsoft Authenticator in the list, click Delete, and confirm.
   • Click Add sign-in method > choose Authenticator app.
   • Open the Authenticator app on your phone, tap + (Add Account) > Work or school account, and scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen.
2. For Personal Microsoft Accounts (Outlook.com / Hotmail):
   • Go to https://account.live.com/proofs/manage/additional and sign in.
   • Under Two-step verification, remove the Authenticator app.
   • Re-add the Authenticator app by scanning the QR code with your phone.

Step 3: What to do if you have no alternative verification methods

• If this is a Work/School Account: You must contact your organization’s Microsoft 365 Administrator or IT Helpdesk. Ask them to navigate to Microsoft Entra ID > Users > select your name > Authentication methods and click Require re-register MFA. Please refer to this document: Manage user authentication methods for Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication
• If this is a Personal Account: You will need to use the account recovery option at https://account.live.com/acsr or select "I don't have any of these" on the sign-in page to start the 30-day security info replacement process.

For official documentation on resolving Authenticator loop issues, please refer to Troubleshoot issues with Microsoft Authenticator.

Please let me know if you can sign in using an alternative method.

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Answer 2

If the sign-in prompt says "Enter the code displayed in the Microsoft Authenticator app", the code is not sent as a message. It is shown inside the Authenticator app for the account entry and refreshes about every 30 seconds.

Try this:

1. Open Microsoft Authenticator.
2. Look for the account that is being used to sign in.
3. Select that account entry and check whether a 6-digit code is displayed.
4. Enter that code on the sign-in screen.

If no account appears in Authenticator, or the app was reinstalled or moved to a new phone, the app may no longer have the MFA registration. In that case:

1. On the sign-in screen, choose Try another verification method or I don't have any of these if that option is available.
2. If another method works, sign in and update the security info:
   • For a Microsoft account, go to the Security basics page, select Update info, then choose a working method or I don't have any of these to replace the security info.
   • If access to all security info is lost, select I don't have any of these during sign-in and follow the prompts to replace it. After replacement, there is a 30-day wait before sign-in is allowed.
3. If the account is a work or school account and no alternate method is available, an administrator may need to reset MFA or require re-registration.

Also check these common causes when codes are not available:

• Avoid repeated code requests, because that can trigger a temporary block.
• If using SMS or email as an alternative, check junk mail and confirm the phone or email is correct.
• If blocked, try another network and wait up to 24 hours; in some cases, waiting longer, up to 1 week, is recommended.

If sign-in still cannot be completed, use the sign-in helper. Support agents cannot send verification codes or change account details for account protection.

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References:

• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
• I cannot login to my Azure account - Microsoft Q&A
• Authenticator App Does Not Receive Verification Codes - Microsoft Q&A