How to add something to Microsoft Authentication

Question

How to add something to Microsoft Authentication

Lily Dedrick (LCL) 0

I have been trying to change my password for my current email, every time I go to try and change it. It says I need to verify it through Microsoft authenticator, but that email is not already on it. And to add it to Microsoft authenticator I have to use Microsoft authenticator And it keeps telling me it is sending a code, but there are no code popping up on the app, what am I supposed to do?

Carolyne 1,151 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2026-06-04T08:38:56.0333333+00:00

Hello Lily!
Sorry for this experience. You're caught in a verification loop — to break out of it, go to https://account.live.com/acsr (https://account.live.com/acsr) from a different device or browser and submit the account recovery form, which lets you verify your identity without needing the Authenticator app. Once you regain access, visit https://aka.ms/mfasetup (https://aka.ms/mfasetup) to properly add your account to the Authenticator app by scanning a fresh QR code. If you have an alternate email or phone number on the account, try the password reset page at https://aka.ms/sspr (https://aka.ms/sspr) first as it may offer those as verification options instead.
If this is a work or school account, the admin can easily reset MFA methods for you and you can register and update as required.

1 answer

Your answer

Carolyne 1,151 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2026-06-04T08:38:56.0333333+00:00

Hello Lily!
Sorry for this experience. You're caught in a verification loop — to break out of it, go to https://account.live.com/acsr (https://account.live.com/acsr) from a different device or browser and submit the account recovery form, which lets you verify your identity without needing the Authenticator app. Once you regain access, visit https://aka.ms/mfasetup (https://aka.ms/mfasetup) to properly add your account to the Authenticator app by scanning a fresh QR code. If you have an alternate email or phone number on the account, try the password reset page at https://aka.ms/sspr (https://aka.ms/sspr) first as it may offer those as verification options instead.
If this is a work or school account, the admin can easily reset MFA methods for you and you can register and update as required.

Answer 1

To get out of the loop and change the password, there must be at least one working verification method on the Microsoft account that does not depend on the current Authenticator setup.

Use these steps, in order:

Try another existing verification method

When prompted to approve in Microsoft Authenticator, look for a link such as I can’t use my Microsoft Authenticator app right now or Use a different verification option.
If any backup method is listed (email, phone, other authenticator), choose it and complete verification.
After signing in, immediately add a new verification method and fix Authenticator (steps 3–4 below).

If no other method works, use the account recovery flow

On the sign-in/verification screen, choose I don't have any of these (or similar wording) when asked how to verify.
Follow the prompts to update or add new security info. This is the only supported way if all existing methods are unusable.
Be aware: if all old security info was removed and replaced, the account can be restricted for up to 30 days while security info changes are pending.

Add a new way to sign in or verify (once signed in)

Go to the Microsoft account Security tab: https://account.microsoft.com/security
Select Manage how I sign in.
Select Add a new way to sign in or verify.
Choose one of:
- An email address (must be accessible), or
- An authenticator app such as Microsoft Authenticator, or
- A passkey.
Complete the code verification sent to the new method.

Fix or add Microsoft Authenticator properly

Ensure the latest Microsoft Authenticator app is installed.
From the Manage how I sign in page, choose Add a new way to sign in or verify → An authenticator app.
Follow the instructions shown (scan QR code or sign in) to add the account to the app.
Approve the prompt in Authenticator when asked.

(Optional) Make Authenticator the primary or only sign-in method

On the same Manage how I sign in page, scroll to Passwordless account and turn it On if passwordless sign-in is desired.
Approve the request in Authenticator.

If verification codes or prompts still do not appear in Authenticator after adding the account this way, remove that Authenticator method from Manage how I sign in, then add it again following the same steps.

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