Microsoft Authenticator

Question

When I try to log into my cadet account it wants me to enter the two digit code on screen into Microsoft Authenticator. However, when I try to add the account in the first place I am unable to add it because it wants me to enter another two digit code into Authenticator which effectively is getting me to authenticate the authentication which I am unable to do. Please help me.

Answer 1

This usually means the account is already configured to require Microsoft Authenticator, but the app is not fully registered on the current device.

For a work or school account such as a cadet account, use this order:

1. On the sign-in page, check for Other ways to sign in or another verification method.
   • If another method is available, use it to get signed in first.
   • After sign-in, go to the Security info page at https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info and add Microsoft Authenticator there by choosing Add sign-in method > Microsoft Authenticator.
2. If no other sign-in method is available, the account is likely set to use only Authenticator.
   • In that case, the fix is usually for the organization administrator to reset or allow re-registration of MFA for the account.
   • If the organization has Conditional Access or restricted registration policies, Authenticator registration can also be blocked until the administrator enables it.
3. If Authenticator shows an error such as “To set up Microsoft Authenticator, you'll need to go to aka.ms/mfasetup on a web browser.”, open a browser and complete setup from the work or school account security registration page.
4. If repeated sign-in attempts were made, Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication can temporarily block more attempts. Wait and try again later, or use a different MFA method if one is available.

If this is a personal Microsoft account instead of a work/school account, add the app from the Microsoft account Security page:

1. Sign in to https://account.microsoft.com/security.
2. Select Manage how I sign in.
3. Select Add a new way to sign in or verify.
4. Choose Use an app.
5. In Authenticator, tap + > Personal account > Scan a QR Code.

If passwordless setup shows “You haven't finished yet”, add the account directly inside the Authenticator app first:

1. In Authenticator, select + Add account.
2. Choose the account type.
3. Select Sign in with Microsoft and complete verification.
4. Then return to Add a new way to sign in or verify and finish app sign-in setup.

For a cadet account, the most likely path is:

• try Other ways to sign in first
• if none exist, contact the cadet organization IT help desk and ask them to reset MFA or require re-register multifactor authentication for the account

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