Using authenticator

Question

The site I'm trying to use has asked for a 6 figure code from authenticator

I've opened the app, but can't find a way of triggering this code

Where am I going wrong?

Answer 1

Hi @Pete Moore

It sounds like the website is asking for a verification code from Microsoft Authenticator, but the account may not yet be set up in the app. Simply opening Authenticator won’t generate a code unless the account has already been configured.

Could you check whether the account appears in Microsoft Authenticator?

To learn how to add an account, see Microsoft's guide: How to add your accounts to Microsoft Authenticator | Microsoft Support

Once the account is configured, you may see either:

• A six-digit verification code that refreshes periodically, usually every 30 seconds.
• A notification asking you to approve the sign-in.

If you don't see the account listed in Authenticator, the account may not have been enrolled for Authenticator-based verification yet. In that case, please let me know:

• Which website is asking for the code?
• Is this a work or school account, a personal Microsoft account, or an account with another service?
• Have you used Microsoft Authenticator for this account before, or are you setting it up for the first time?
• Is there an alternative verification option on the sign-in screen, such as “I can't use my Authenticator app right now”?

If you're completely locked out and none of the available verification options work, the resolution depends on the type of account you are using:

1.If you are using a work or school account (@domain.com or @onmicrosoft.com)

Please contact your organization's IT administrator and ask them to reset your authentication method so that you can register Microsoft Authenticator again. The administrator can follow Microsoft's documentation here: Manage authentication methods for Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication - Microsoft Entra ID |… 

If you're unsure who your IT administrator is, please refer to How do I find my Microsoft 365 admin? - Microsoft Support 

2.If you are using a personal Microsoft account (@outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com), you can try one of the following options: 

-Use the Microsoft Account Recovery Form: Help with the Microsoft account recovery form | Microsoft Support 

-Alternatively, contact Microsoft Support: Go to Contact - Microsoft Support > Type "Support" and click Get Help > Click Sign in to contact support at the bottom of the page > Choose Contact support tab > Under Products & Services, select Microsoft 365 and Office > under Category, select Technical Support > Confirm > Choose Chat with a support agent in your browser.

Answer 2

A six-digit code is generated automatically only after that specific site account has been linked to Microsoft Authenticator; there is no button that manually triggers one.

Check the Authenticator app

1. Open Microsoft Authenticator.
2. Look for an account entry matching the site or the username used to sign in.
3. Tap that account entry if necessary to display its one-time verification code.
4. Enter the current six-digit code on the website before it changes.

If the relevant account is not listed, installing or opening Authenticator is not enough—you must register it with the site first. Authenticator supports Microsoft personal, work/school, and third-party accounts, but each account must be added separately.^1^

If the account is not yet linked

On the website:

1. Return to its Security, Two-step verification, Two-factor authentication, or MFA settings.
2. Choose Authenticator app as the verification method.
3. Keep the displayed QR code open.
4. In Authenticator, select + or Add account.
5. Select the appropriate type:
   • Work or school account for an organization-managed Microsoft account.
   • Personal account for a personal Microsoft account.
   • Other account (Google, Facebook, etc.) for most non-Microsoft sites.
6. Select Scan a QR code and scan the code shown by the website.
7. Authenticator should then add an account entry and display a changing code. Enter that code on the website to complete registration.^1^

If scanning is unavailable, look for Can’t scan the image/barcode on the website and Enter code manually in Authenticator.

If you are already locked at the code prompt

Look for Sign in another way, Try another method, or a similar option and use a previously registered method. Do not scan an unexpected QR code received by email or from another person.

For a work or school account with no alternative method, contact the organization’s IT administrator to reset or re-register Authenticator. If the account is present but still does not produce a usable code, open Authenticator’s top-level menu and select Send feedback before contacting support.^2^

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References

1. How to add your accounts to Microsoft Authenticator | Microsoft Support
2. [Personal accounts](https://support.microsoft.com/authenticator/troubleshoot-problems-with-microsoft-authenticator)