Cannot access account with Authenticator because it wants me to use Authenticator to authenticate

Anonymous
2024-01-31T23:31:52+00:00

I can't post this from the account I'm having issues with, but I am trying to get an Authenticator account set up for my Office 365 account, but whenever I try to do that, it asks for the code in Authenticator. But since it isn't set up with Authenticator yet, I cannot give it a code. I'm stuck in a catch 22. I've heard I can get a new QR code if I login and look under security settings, but I cannot login without getting my code from Authenticator, which I don't have set up yet. And I called MS support and they sent me a link to do it, but it will not let me access without the Authentication code from Authenticator, which I cannot access, because it isn't set up yet.

Any help from anyone? Just switch to Google? The only reason I need to do this is because I changed the account password. It didn't need me to authenticate to do that. But it does need me to update that same password change on my phone. So stupid.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Subscription, account, billing | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-03-01T11:36:31+00:00

    Thanks to those on the forum who have replied. I was hoping someone from Microsoft would look into this issue. My course of action....

    1. I will contact Microsoft Sales - I know that eventually I can get someone in that department to pick up the phone. They originally sold me the account in order to get Teams.
    2. I will ask them to shut down the account (because I can not sign-in without authenticator)...and again I can not do that because authenticator is not set-up for that account which can not be set-up without already having authenticator. Looping issue.

    If they will not do it, then I will cut the payment from the credit card company. I will do this as a last resort as I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft sends collections after me or dings me on my credit report. Maybe I am paranoid here, but would rather they just cancel the account.

    Microsoft, you need to get your AI engine to figure out when someone actually needs to talk to a human.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-02-17T10:34:38+00:00

    Hey folks,

    I need a good way to get out of this nasty loop, can't access my work from my phone, and it's important I stay agile where I work. The current solutions posted here don't work because again it requires me to use the registered authenticator to authenticate. I've tried registering my phone as a work device but it still doesn't work. Please help!!! This is causing a migraine :(

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-02-12T14:03:47+00:00

    I'm finding it's the account (email) that is the issue. when I try to sign in on another phone, I get the same error loop. It follows whatever device you use to sign in with. Not sure what to do now since it's a company account.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-02-12T14:03:27+00:00

    I'm finding it's the account (email) that is the issue. when I try to sign in on another phone, I get the same error loop. It follows whatever device you use to sign in with. Not sure what to do now since it's a company account.

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