Microsoft Authenticator Verification Failure

Nj2 20 Reputation points
2026-08-04T17:22:07.97+00:00

I’m a new student registering for dual enrollment at a local community college.

I received my community college username and email, so I set up Microsoft MFA. I used my iPad to download the app and sign into my community college email. It worked, until I accidentally deleted the app on my ipad before I got to set up alternative methods for verification. Now, whenever I try to sign into my account (myaccount.microsoft.com), I have to verify my identity, so I try to sign into the Authenticator app, and it says I need to “Open your Authenticator app and approve the request. Enter the number if prompted” but I am ALREADY in the app.

I cannot verify my sign in using the app when I am NOT signed into my account in the app. (It’s a loop?) So now I cannot verify my identity when I sign in on my laptop (since I am not signed in on my Authenticator app and I cannot verify my sign-in on the app).

Is there a way to fix this, maybe setting up the app from the beginning (pairing authenticator with my account, scanning the QR code, etc)?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Subscription, account, billing | For education | Other
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Answer accepted by question author
Lin v 1,295 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-08-04T17:47:12.0733333+00:00

Hi Nj2,

Good day, and I appreciate the clear explanation of your concern.

This issue commonly occurs when your Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) settings need to be reset, particularly after deleting the Microsoft Authenticator app. When the app was removed, the secure link between your account and the app was deleted. After reinstalling, the app is brand new and hasn’t been configured with your account yet. Because the account is still linked to the previous app instance, you’re currently unable to complete the sign-in process.

In this case, the most appropriate next step is to contact your college’s Microsoft 365 administrator.

Please ask your administrator to follow the steps outlined in the guide below to revoke existing MFA sessions and require re registration. Manage authentication methods for Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication - Microsoft Entra ID |… This process usually only takes a couple of minutes.

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Once this process is completed, all existing sign in sessions will be cleared. The next time you sign in, you will be prompted to set up Microsoft Authenticator again from the beginning, and verification codes should be delivered normally.

If you’re unsure who your Microsoft 365 administrator is, please refer to the following article to identify the correct contact at your school: How do I find my Microsoft 365 admin? - Microsoft Support.

Please note that this is a user to user support forum, and I do not have access to administrative tools or permissions to reset or modify MFA settings on your account. Because your account is managed by your school, only an authorized Microsoft 365 administrator at your institution can make these changes. 

I hope this information helps point you in the right direction and allows you to regain access to your account as quickly as possible. 


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