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

I hear your pain..... if ONLY you could SPEAK with someone @ MS - wouldn't that be novel? I tried and tried and tried to get around the AI and standardised answers (because they were useless). Finally, I made an online enquiry to purchase 50+ licences and lo' & behold - I had a REAL person contact me! Of course THEY couldn't help and promised to pass on the enquiry to an un-named boffin - NOTHING came of it. SO - we cancelled the credit card where the direct debit was coming from and went to google workspace. Good luck with dealing with MS _ I dont like your chances

you replied to the issue with the same issue........... it. requires authenticator app to access mysignins.microsoft.com........ did you not understand the issue? how can i use authenticator app to authenticate the authenticater ****

This experience and the lack of viable solutions presented on this thread, in addition to the extreme lack of customer support by Microsoft is a profound reminder of why I went to Mac and Google so many years ago. I wouldn't be using it now but for a new job that requires it and, now, I'm locked out of everything, including my personal Skype account. This issue has clearly persisted for more than a year and Microsoft has clearly done nothing to resolve it with a simple, easy fix that does not require you contacting an administrator to completely reset everything. People have every right to be angry and put Microsoft on blast for creating this kind of frustration that forces people toward madness.

None of the solutions offered in this thread eliminates the need to submit a code from an Authenticator app that you cannot access. You cannot even set up the Authenticator app WITHOUT %&^*ING ACCESSING THE AUTHENTICATOR APP!!!! 🤬🤬🤬. If MS had any sense of decency that wasn't overridden by it oligopolic power over the massess it would fix this issue yesterday.

Sorry, I have gotten a ticket number and have been waiting for the data protection unit to call me for 6 days now.

I tried following your instructions, but when I go to the Security Info tab, I just get a never ending loading message.

Hi William,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community

I’m sorry to hear that you’re having trouble accessing your account. Based on my search results, it seems like you’re stuck in a loop where the Authenticator app is asking you to authenticate using the app itself.  This can happen if you’ve removed your account from the app after adding it previously. Here are some steps you can try to resolve this issue:

1. Go to mysignins.microsoft.com and under security and info, manage login verification methods. Delete Microsoft Authenticator as an option and then re-add it^2^.
2. Make sure you’re running the latest version of the Authenticator app. Tap Settings and make sure App updates is turned on. Make sure the device requires a PIN or biometric to unlock (lock screen). Try to re-enable faceID or fingerprint in the device settings and restart the device^3^.
3. If the above steps don’t work, you may need to contact your Microsoft 365 admin to help you disable Multi-factor authentication for your account. Then re-enable Multi-factor authentication for your account. You may need to reinstall the Authenticator app and then set up the Microsoft Authenticator app again

I hope this helps you regain access to your account. Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Regards,

Roderick L

Microsoft Moderator