My Authenticator app isn't working

Question

My Authenticator app isn't working

Alba Perez Sanchez 30

When I try to sign in to my email, it asks for an authenticator app but my app doesn't provide me with one. I've tried to change the settings of my security information, but again it asks me for a code which doesn't show up on my app.

I have tried everything suggested:

Deleting my accounts on the authenticator app to try and sign them up again, but again it asks me for a code that doesn't appear
I've deleted the app, restarted my phone and reinstalled the app, and nothing

I can't access any of my emails and it is starting to become an issue. Can you please help me? I either need access to my security info to change the verification methods or help with re-signing them up.

Pauline Mbabu 1,840 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2026-04-14T18:18:24.4733333+00:00

Hello,
You’re stuck in a Microsoft Authenticator MFA lockout loop: your account requires Authenticator for sign-in, but Authenticator itself requires you to sign in, leaving you with no usable second factor. Unfortunately, there is no self-service bypass for this when no backup methods (SMS, email, security key) were configured. The only supported way out is an account recovery reset: if this is a work or school account, an administrator must reset your MFA or issue a Temporary Access Pass (TAP), which temporarily bypasses MFA so you can sign in and re‑register Authenticator (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/authentication/howto-authentication-temporary-access-pass). If you are the only admin, you must contact Microsoft Support to prove tenant ownership and have MFA reset. If this is a personal Microsoft account, use the recovery flow at https://account.live.com/acsr and complete the security info replacement process, which may include a mandatory waiting period. Microsoft documents this behavior as expected when no alternate verification methods exist, and confirms admin or support intervention is required (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1661573/stuck-in-a-verification-loop-using-microsoft-authe).

Your answer

Pauline Mbabu 1,840 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2026-04-14T18:18:24.4733333+00:00

Hello,
You’re stuck in a Microsoft Authenticator MFA lockout loop: your account requires Authenticator for sign-in, but Authenticator itself requires you to sign in, leaving you with no usable second factor. Unfortunately, there is no self-service bypass for this when no backup methods (SMS, email, security key) were configured. The only supported way out is an account recovery reset: if this is a work or school account, an administrator must reset your MFA or issue a Temporary Access Pass (TAP), which temporarily bypasses MFA so you can sign in and re‑register Authenticator (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/authentication/howto-authentication-temporary-access-pass). If you are the only admin, you must contact Microsoft Support to prove tenant ownership and have MFA reset. If this is a personal Microsoft account, use the recovery flow at https://account.live.com/acsr and complete the security info replacement process, which may include a mandatory waiting period. Microsoft documents this behavior as expected when no alternate verification methods exist, and confirms admin or support intervention is required (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1661573/stuck-in-a-verification-loop-using-microsoft-authe).