Microsoft Authenticator is not working on any device

Dr Teneka G Miles 0 Reputation points
2026-07-05T13:17:27.15+00:00

I purchased a new Ipad. I downloaded the app PowerPoint which I purchased. It prompted Microsoft authenticator and I had to download on my phone, Ipad, and laptop. It is not working on none of these devices. It keeps prompting a 2-digit number sequence that is not popping up on my mobile device I cant log into anything right now because of this authentication issue. I cant get it on my phone or Ipad or laptop. All of this to simply download PowerPoint on Ipad for work. I need help solving this issue.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Subscription, account, billing | For business | iOS
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  1. Anonymous
    2026-07-06T05:43:40.19+00:00

    Hi Dr Teneka G Miles

    If this is a work or school account:

    Please contact your organization’s IT administrator first and ask them to reset your MFA settings by following this article: Manage authentication methods for Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication - Microsoft Entra ID | Microsoft Learn (Microsoft does not have direct access to reset authentication settings for school/organization-managed accounts). If you are the only administrator and cannot sign in, you may need to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.

    If this is a personal Microsoft account

    Since you no longer have access to Microsoft Authenticator on any device and cannot use any other verification method, you can try the Microsoft account recovery process: https://account.live.com/acsr

    I hope this information helps and if you have any further question, please feel free to ask under comment section!

    Please understand that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators have no backend access and cannot directly intervene in Microsoft products. We provide only technical guidance and best-practice recommendations based on reported issues.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-07-05T13:17:46.7966667+00:00

    The 2-digit number prompt means the sign-in is waiting for Microsoft Authenticator to complete the login, but the app is not finishing the process on your devices.

    Try these steps in order:

    1. Check Authenticator on the phone (primary device)
      • Open the Microsoft Authenticator app directly on the phone.
      • Make sure the app is not locked (no app lock screen or PIN blocking it). If it is locked, unlock it and keep it open while trying to sign in again.
      • Confirm the app is updated to the latest version from the app store.
    2. Enable notifications for Authenticator
      The 2-digit number screen usually expects a matching prompt notification from Authenticator. If notifications are blocked, you will not see it.
      • On the phone, go to Settings → Notifications → Microsoft Authenticator.
      • Ensure notifications are allowed, with banners/alerts enabled and not set to silent.
      • Make sure the phone is not in Do Not Disturb/Quiet mode.
    3. Check network and time settings
      • Ensure the phone has a working internet connection (Wi‑Fi or mobile data). If one network fails, switch to the other and retry the sign-in.
      • Confirm the device date and time are set correctly, preferably to automatic. Incorrect time can cause authentications to fail.
    4. Retry the sign-in from PowerPoint on iPad
      • Close PowerPoint completely on the iPad.
      • Reopen PowerPoint and sign in with the correct Microsoft account (the one associated with the PowerPoint purchase or Microsoft 365 subscription).
      • When the 2-digit number appears, look immediately at the phone’s Authenticator app for the matching prompt and approve it.
    5. If the Authenticator prompt never appears
      • On the phone, open Authenticator and verify that the correct work/school or Microsoft account is present.
      • If some accounts show as gray/inactive tiles, they can be ignored; focus on the account used for PowerPoint.
      • If notifications still do not arrive for that account, remove that account from Authenticator and add it again following the sign-in instructions from the app or from the Additional security verification page for work/school accounts.
    6. If you see “Authentication did not complete” or similar errors
      • Ensure Authenticator is unlocked.
      • Confirm notifications are enabled and the app is updated.
      • Check network connectivity and device time as above.
      • If the issue persists and this is a work/school account, contact the organization’s IT admin to review and, if needed, reset MFA settings for the account.
    7. If completely locked out of the account
      • If unable to sign in anywhere (phone, iPad, laptop) and cannot use alternative verification methods (like SMS or office phone), a password reset or MFA reset may be required. Use the account’s password reset option if available, or contact support/IT admin to regain access.

    Once Authenticator is working and the sign-in completes successfully on one device (typically the phone), PowerPoint on the iPad should allow sign-in and use.

    References:

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