There are some common two-step verification problems that seem to happen more frequently than any of us would like. We've put together this article to describe fixes for the most common problems.
Your Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) organization can turn on two-step verification for your account. When two-step verification is on, your account sign-in requires a combination of the following data:
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Your user name
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Your password
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A mobile device or phone
Two-step verification is more secure than just a password, because two-step verification requires something youknowplus something youhave. No hacker has your physical phone.
Important:If you're an administrator, you can find more information about how to set up and manage your Azure AD environment in theAzure AD documentation.
This content can help you with your work or school account, which is the account provided to you by your organization (for example, [email protected]). If you're having problems with two-step verification on a personal Microsoft account, which is an account that you set up for yourself (for example, [email protected]), seeTurning two-stepverification on or off for your Microsoft account.
I don't have my mobile device with me
It happens. You left your mobile device at home, and now you can't use your phone to verify who you are. Maybe you previously added an alternative method to sign in to your account, such as through your office phone. If so, you can use this alternative method now. If you never added an alternative verification method, you can contact your organization's Help desk for assistance.
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Sign in to your account but select theSign in another waylink on theTwo-factor verificationpage.
See AlsoWhat should I do if I’ve activated 2FA, but lost access to the authentication app or it is not working?Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication FAQ - Microsoft Entra ID[2023] Receive Messages Online Without Real Phone Number- Dr.FoneMicrosoft Authenticator: What it is, how it works, and how to use it!
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If you don't see theSign in another waylink, it means that you haven't set up any other verification methods. You'll have to contact your administrator for help signing into your account.
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Choose your alternative verification method, and continue with the two-step verification process.
I can't turn two-step verification off
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If you're using two-step verification with a personal account for a Microsoft service, like [email protected], you canturn the feature on and off.
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If you're using two-step verification with your work or school account, it most likely means that your organization has decided you must use this added security feature. There is no way for you to individually turn it off.
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If you can't turn off two-stepverification, it could also be because of the security defaults that have been applied at the organization level. For more information about security defaults, seeWhat are security defaults?
My device was lost or stolen
If you've lost or had your mobile device stolen, you can take either of the following actions:
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Sign in using a different method.
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Ask your organization's Help desk to clear your settings.
We strongly recommend letting your organization's Help desk know if your phone was lost or stolen. The Help desk can make the appropriate updates to your account. After your settings are cleared, you'll be prompted toregister for two-factor verificationthe next time you sign in.
I can't sign in after multiple attempts
Azure MFA detects unusual activity like repeated sign-in attempts, and may prevent additional attempts to counter security threats. If you've mistakenly made many sign-in attempts, wait until you can try again, or use a different MFA method for sign-in. If you suspect someone else is trying to access your account, contact your administrator. The error could be caused by malicious activity, misconfigured MFA settings, or other factors. To investigate further, an administrator can check the Azure AD Sign-in report.
I'm not receiving the verification code sent to my mobile device
Not receiving your verification code is a common problem. The problem is typically related to your mobile device and its settings. Here are some suggestions that you can try.
| Suggestion | Guidance |
| Use the Microsoft authenticator app or Verification codes | You are getting “You've hit our limit on verification calls” or “You’ve hit our limit on text verification codes” error messages during sign-in. Microsoft may limit repeated authentication attempts that are perform by the same user in a short period of time. This limitation does not apply to the Microsoft Authenticator or verification code. If you have hit these limits, you can use the Authenticator App, verification code or try to sign in again in a few minutes. You are getting "Sorry, we're having trouble verifying your account" error message during sign-in. Microsoft may limit or block voice or SMS authentication attempts that are performed by the same user, phone number, or organization due to high number of failed voice or SMS authentication attempts. If you are experiencing this error, you can try another method, such as Authenticator App or verification code, or reach out to your admin for support. |
| Restart your mobile device | Sometimes your device just needs a refresh. When you restart your device, all background processes and services are ended. The restart also shuts down the core components of your device. Any service or component is refreshed when you restart your device. |
| Verify that your security information is correct | Make sure your security verification method information is accurate, especially your phone numbers. If you put in the wrong phone number, all of your alerts will go to that incorrect number. Fortunately, that user won't be able to do anything with the alerts, but it also won't help you sign in to your account. To make sure your information is correct, see the instructions in theManage your two-factor verification method settingsarticle. |
| Verify that your notifications are turned on | Make sure your mobile device has notifications turned on. Ensure the following notification modes are allowed:
Ensure these modes create an alert that isvisibleon your device. |
| Make sure you have a device signal and Internet connection | Make sure your phone calls and text messages are getting through to your mobile device. Have a friend call you and send you a text message to make sure you receive both. If you don't receive the call or text, first check to make sure your mobile device is turned on. If your device is turned on, but you're still not receiving the call or text, there's probably a problem with your network. You'll need to talk to your provider. If you often have signal-related problems, we recommend you install and use theMicrosoft Authenticator appon your mobile device. The authenticator app can generate random security codes for sign-in, without requiring any cell signal or Internet connection. |
| Turn off Do not disturb | Make sure you haven't turned on theDo not disturbfeature for your mobile device. When this feature is turned on, notifications aren't allowed to alert you on your mobile device. Refer to your mobile device's manual for instructions about how to turn off this feature. |
| Unblock phone numbers | In the United States, voice calls from Microsoft come from the following numbers: +1 (866) 539 4191, +1 (855) 330 8653, and +1 (877) 668 6536. |
| Check your battery-related settings | If you set your battery optimization to stop less frequently used apps from remaining active in the background, your notification system has probably been affected. Try turning off battery optimization for both your authentication app and your messaging app. Then try to sign in to your account again. |
| Disable third-party security apps | Some phone security apps block text messages and phone calls from annoying unknown callers. A security app might prevent your phone from receiving the verification code. Try disabling any third-party security apps on your phone, and then request that another verification code be sent. |
I'm not being prompted for my second verification information
You sign in to your work or school account by using your user name and password. Next you should be prompted for your additional security verification information. If you are not prompted, maybe you haven't yet set up your device. Your mobile device must be set up to work with your specific additional security verification method.
Maybe you haven't set up your device yet. Your mobile device has to be set up to work with your specific additional security verification method. For the steps to make your mobile device available to use with your verification method, seeManage your two-factor verification method settings. If you know that you haven't set up your device or your account yet, you can follow the steps in theSet up my account for two-step verificationarticle.
I have a new phone number and I want to add it
If you have a new phone number, you'll need to update your security verification method details. This enables your verification prompts to go to the right location. To update your verification method, follow the steps in theAdd or change your phone numbersection of theManage your two-factor verification method settingsarticle.
I have a new mobile device and I want to add it
If you have a new mobile device, you'll need to set it up to work with two-factor verification. This is a multi-step solution:
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Set up your device to work with your account by following the steps in theSet up my account for two-step verificationarticle.
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Update your account and device information in theAdditional security verificationpage. Perform the update by deleting your old device and adding your new one. For more information, see theManage your two-factor verification method settingsarticle.
Optional steps:
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Install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device by following the steps in theDownload and install the Microsoft Authenticator apparticle.
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Turn on two-factor verification for your trusted devices by following the steps in theTurn on two-factor verificationprompts on a trusted devicesection of theManage your two-factor verification method settingsarticle.
I'm having problems signing in on my mobile device while traveling
You might find it more difficult to use a mobile device-related verification method, like a text messaging, while you're in an international location. It's also possible that your mobile device can cause you to incur roaming charges. For this situation, we recommend you use the Microsoft Authenticator app, with the option to connect to a Wi-Fi hot spot. For more information about how to set up the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device, see theDownload and install the Microsoft Authenticator apparticle.
I can't get my app passwords to work
App passwords replace your normal password for older desktop applications that don't support two-factor verification. First, make sure you typed the password correctly. If that doesn't fix it, try creating a new app password for the app. Do this by creating theapp passwords using the My Apps portalas described inManage app passwords for two-step verification.
I didn't find an answer to my problem
If you've tried these steps but are still running into problems, contact your organization's Help desk for assistance.
Tip:If you're a small business owner looking for more information on how to get Microsoft 365 set up, visit .
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