Code not going to authenticator app. Locked out of laptop

Question

Code not going to authenticator app. Locked out of laptop

Shirley W 0

Locked out of laptop. Can log in on iPad but Need to put in an authenticator code to get into make changes but I don’t have 2 digits come through to the app it’s 8. Can I change this?

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Answer 1

The code length shown in Microsoft Authenticator (for example, 6 or 8 digits) is determined by how the account’s multifactor authentication is configured and can’t be changed directly from the app. To sign in, the code displayed in the app must match what the sign-in screen expects for that specific account.

Since access to the laptop is blocked but sign-in on the iPad still works, use that working session to adjust security settings or add another verification method so there is a backup way to get codes:

From the working device (iPad), go to the account’s security or security info page and review the listed methods (phone, email, Authenticator, etc.).
Add or update another method (such as SMS, email, or a different authenticator app entry) so a code can be received outside the current Authenticator configuration.
If verification codes (SMS/email) are not arriving, follow the guidance for missing codes: avoid repeated requests, check junk folders, confirm the phone/email is correct, and ensure the region and SMS settings allow messages.
If still unable to receive or use any verification method, choose an alternate method when prompted (for example, “I don’t have any of these”) if available, and follow the recovery flow.
If all methods fail and this is a work or school account, contact the organization’s help desk or admin to clear or reset MFA settings so Authenticator can be re-registered.

If the account is a work or school account with two-step verification and no method works, support agents cannot override verification codes or bypass 2FA; another method or admin-assisted reset is required.

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