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

Hi Roderick,

Im having the exact same problem, Im the business admin of a Microsoft 365 business account, and cannot access the admin console, cannot log in, because of a loop in the authenticator app. Im the admin so I cannot change the 2 step setting if Im not able to log in. I have reset my phone, deleted the app and add it again, made sure it is updated... so frustrating it makes me want to cancel everything, but guess what, seems I need to log in to cancel my business subscription...

Any other direction to fix this?

This information is unhelpful because going to mysignins.microsoft.com requires 2FA via authenticator, so I am locked out of changing any authenticator settings. I have other accounts set up in authenticator, but this one does not work. When it says to approve on my authenticator app, nothing shows up.

When I go to authenticator app and delete that problem account and try to set it up again, it asks to approve on my authenticator app, but im in the authenticator app already, so that does no good. I have also tried reinstalling the authenticator app. no joy there either.

The only other option is to contact the administrator, but guess what? I am the administrator locked out of my administrator account, so that doesn't help either.

There is no text message option, I suspect because I didn't register my number with that microsoft account.

I think this may have happened because I had my previous phone fall in the water and was unable to recover it and shut down things like authenticator, so maybe the authentication is still connected to the hardware address of that device, which doesn't exist anymore, but authenticator hasn't gotten the memo.

Please help!

Roderick L,

Hope you are doing well.

It looks like more and more people are trying to fix the issue in 2024: "Authenticator app is asking you to authenticate using the app itself."

Is there any official support from Microsoft for this free app which is hindering productivity in Microsoft software like Teams? We can't even sign in to submit a support ticket.

I'm one of the affected users and have been unable to use Teams for a week.

Can we find a suitable solution?

Thanks for going the extra mile.

Guillaume

Having the same issue with my business account, Im the admin and cannot access the business admin console because of the authenticator loop... very frustrating, has anyone been able to solve this?

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

I AM the admin. How do I recover my account? I didn't set up 2FA in the first place. I want to talk to MS direct - NOT the bot!