Microsoft Authenticator Not Showing Verification Code

Follow these steps depending on what is (or is not) visible in Microsoft Authenticator:

1. Open the Microsoft Authenticator app and tap the account that is being requested during sign-in.
2. Check if there is a line labeled “One-time password code” under that account:
   • If it exists, use the 6‑digit (or 8‑digit) code shown there as the verification code when prompted.
   • If it does not appear at all, the app is not providing a TOTP for that account and the MFA registration is likely stuck.

Because there is no alternative sign-in method available, the issue cannot be fixed from the app alone. The MFA registration must be reset on the account side:

• For work/school or business accounts (Microsoft 365 / Entra ID):
  • Contact the organization’s Microsoft 365/Entra administrator and ask them to reset the MFA settings for the user in the Microsoft Entra admin center by requiring re‑registration of multifactor authentication.
  • If the affected user is the only admin in the tenant, contact Microsoft Support by phone and request escalation to the Data Protection team to reset the MFA registration.
• For personal or other accounts where no admin is available and no OTP is shown in the app:
  • Contact Microsoft Support (frontline support) and ask them to open a ticket with the Data Protection team to reset the MFA settings after verifying account ownership.

If verification codes are supposed to arrive by email or SMS instead of via TOTP and are not arriving, also verify:

• The correct mailbox (primary alias or added verification email) is being checked.
• The message is not in the junk folder and that messages from @accountprotection.microsoft.com are allowed.
• No excessive or repetitive code requests are being made, as this can cause temporary blocks.
• The phone number is a valid mobile number (not VOIP) and can receive SMS, and that texts from unknown numbers are not blocked.

If a temporary block or network issue is suspected, wait and avoid repeated attempts, then try again later or use the sign-in helper and support options provided in the documentation.

References:

• Microsoft Authenticator FAQs
• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
• Authenticator app not sending code to my email - Microsoft Q&A
• Microsoft Authenticator app doesn't show 6-digit OTP code - Microsoft Q&A
• Microsoft authenticator sending me into a spiral - Microsoft Q&A
• Reset Personal Azure MFA - Microsoft Q&A
• Requesting a Tenant Admin MFA Reset - Microsoft Q&A