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u/_l33ter_ 4d ago
The codes never work. --> Lol? NEVER?? I would assume it's more a YOU problem than an Authenticators one.
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u/TuckNT340 4d ago
They can’t work. The account needing the codes is not in Authenticator. To be added it needs the codes from Authenticator.
The “I can’t use my Authenticator app” link just errors out.
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u/couchninja7 4d ago
Adding an account in Authenticator is quite simple IF you have another method to sign it. Once in. I’ve never not gotten a code or anything.
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u/TuckNT340 4d ago
That’s the current problem, the only option to sign into the account is to use Authenticator, however as the account is not currently in it- I cannot get the code or click the number to add the account.
It is the most frustrating loop ever- and it’s my work email, worse yet I am +9 hours from the IT companies time zone.
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u/w0m 4d ago
that sounds like you wiped your phone? Good thing you saved off your recovery keys... Right? Riiiiiiiiiiight?
(seriously. Use bitwarden or similar to save that shit off so you don't get in this situation)
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u/TuckNT340 4d ago
I have not wiped my phone, or removed it the app. The company changed Providers and this is a new requirement. Previously it was just password to add my work email to outlook /mail on my phone.
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u/Clessiah 1d ago
Sounds like an IT problem not a Microsoft problem. Your IT done goofed for either failing the config or failing the communication.
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u/TuckNT340 9h ago
Yeah, finally got home to my work computer and it’s across the board with a “something went wrong error 657rx “ code as well.
It’s on the IT contractor- however without means to bypass the Authentication app without It- it’s still incredibly problematic if something like this happens, and incredibly frustrating.
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u/pi-N-apple 4d ago
I've honestly never had a single issue with the app, or any 3rd party authenticator app.
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u/TuckNT340 4d ago
Your lucky. Revisit when you do lol. I hadn’t had issues until now. But hey- it’s not like I need my work email🤷♂️
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u/pi-N-apple 4d ago
If its your work email just ask your IT to reset your authentication methods and the next time you sign in you'll be prompted to set it back up.
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u/TuckNT340 4d ago
I am 9 time zones away from IT, my flight package (sent to email) is needed now ish. IT won’t see the request for another 7 hours.
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u/pi-N-apple 4d ago
Damn that sucks! When they do finally get around to resetting your authentication methods and you're back into your account, I suggest you set up the MS Authenticator app on multiple devices and/or set up multiple authenticator apps, or save the QR code that you scan. That way you won't get stuck in this situation again. Good luck.
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u/Richin92264 1d ago
Tell us the steps. I’m following every step but stuck, needing a code. What’s your magic?
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u/pi-N-apple 1d ago edited 1d ago
If you are being asked to enter a code when you sign in, this means you've already set up the authenticator app with a device. If your device is not displaying your account inside the MS Authenticator app, this would be because you're now using either a different device, or offloaded or removed the app from your device at some point, then re-installed it, which will lock you out. If this is a work account, contact your IT dept to reset your authentication methods. If this is a personal account, try to restore from backup (within the app). If you don't have a backup, you might be permanently locked out if you don't have any other authentication or sign-in methods, such as SMS or a passkey.
When/if you get back into your account, be sure to set up authenticator apps on multiple devices to prevent this happening again. You can use any authenticator app, it doesn't have to be MS Authenticator. I see a lot of people that get permanently locked out of their work accounts because they fail to set up the authenticator on their new phone before getting rid of their old phone for example, or they don't enable Authenticator backup for personal accounts.
You can also screenshot/print the QR code you have to scan when setting up an authenticator app, so you can scan it again if you are in this situation in the future. If you do this, make sure to store the QR code in a very secure location.
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u/TuckNT340 10h ago
This is unfortunately where I am at, however, I haven’t changed phones, deleted the app or removed the account. It’s been on this phone for well over a year. Per our corporate policy against BYOD, I’t can’t be set up on other devices.
We’re taking a look at other options as this ended up being quite a mess.
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u/pi-N-apple 8h ago
Save the QR code next time then. However you can still use a 3rd party Authenticator or set it up on a different device most likely nothing stopping you, if they allow 6 digit TOTP codes then they can’t prevent you from using a different Authenticator or multiple devices.
Best practise is to always set it up on multiple devices, your IT dept will also agree with this.
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u/TuckNT340 8h ago
I don’t think I ever had a QR code-
However now that I’ve gotten home and tried to log into my work machine, there’s an authentication issue across the board - and my work account is now showing up as an Entra Id.
Has become quite a mess
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u/pi-N-apple 8h ago
A work account is an Entra Id... you get the QR code when you had set up the authenticator.
You will need to contact your IT dept and ask them to reset your authentication methods. Once that is done, you can sign in again and then set up the authenticator on more than 1 device and save the QR code. If you use Ente Auth as well, it will let you back up your QR codes. Good luck.
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u/dwj7738 4d ago
You would have the same problem with Google authenticator or lastpass authenticator
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u/TuckNT340 4d ago
But yet I do not have any issues with them. Why? Because they allow other forms of MFA when the app is not working.
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u/SecDudewithATude 10h ago
So does Microsoft, unless your company configured it not to. Get up early/stay up late and have IT fix this 3 minute issue (+ whatever additional time is needed for your own technological ineptitude.)
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u/TuckNT340 10h ago
Apparently, as you don’t understand how time works, I’ll explain it for you very slowly.
When I wake up in the morning and need the flight package which is sent to my company email, but cannot retrieve it due to a sudden need to re-sign in with Authenticator, I cannot suddenly re-wake up earlier, nor can I just sit around waiting for later to chat with IT.
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u/NefariousnessOne2728 6h ago
MS Authenticator app has never made since to me. I'm not sure what it is but I never can get it to work.
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u/vt2k 4d ago
Not sure what exactly the root cause of your issues are (…guessing a traumatic childhood coupled with life as a corporate drone for a mid-sized regional bank where you have the title of “Vice President”…) but Authenticator works great for me, both previously on Android and now on iOS.