I can not by pass the Authenticator app

Jasmine Thomas 0 Reputation points
2026-04-17T03:34:26.1833333+00:00

I am trying to log into my college after having to change my password. I have been signed out of all of my devices and when I try to log back in with my new password the authentication app wants me to use its key or open outlook on another device. All devices are locked out

Microsoft Security | Microsoft Authenticator
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  1. AI answer

    2026-04-17T03:34:45.9166667+00:00

    Because all devices that can approve Microsoft Authenticator are locked out, the account’s multifactor authentication (MFA) methods must be reset by an administrator; it cannot be bypassed by the user.

    Use these steps:

    1. Contact the college’s IT/help desk
      • Explain that:
        • The password was changed successfully.
        • All devices were signed out.
        • Sign-in now always prompts for Microsoft Authenticator or Outlook on another device, but there is no device that can complete the prompt.
      • Ask them to reset your MFA methods or clear your MFA settings for your college account.
    2. Have the admin require re‑registration of MFA
      • An Entra ID (Azure AD) admin can use the “Require re‑register MFA” option for the user so that, at next sign-in, new authentication methods can be configured (for example, re‑adding Microsoft Authenticator and/or a phone number).
    3. Sign in again and reconfigure MFA
      • After the admin resets MFA:
        1. Sign in with the new password.
        2. When prompted, set up Microsoft Authenticator again (scan the QR code) and optionally add SMS/phone as a backup method.
    4. If sign-in is blocked after multiple attempts
      • If many failed attempts have already been made, Entra MFA may temporarily block further sign-ins. In that case, either:
        • Wait and try again after some time, or
        • Use a different MFA method once the admin has added or reset it.

    If the college uses only one global admin and that admin is also locked out, that admin must contact Microsoft support (Data Protection team) via the official customer service phone numbers to regain access to the tenant and then reset MFA for affected users.

    References:

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