Sign-in & Login Problems

Fix Microsoft 365 Admin Center Sign-in Loop After E3 Enrollment

Guest Writer Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to access the Microsoft 365 Admin Center after enrolling in an E3 trial due to continuous page redirects and refreshes.

How to Fix Microsoft 365 Admin Center Sign-in Loops After E3 Enrollment

Product: Microsoft 365 Admin Center
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to sign in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center to manage a newly created E3 trial account.
Observed behavior: The login page gets stuck in an infinite redirect or refresh loop, preventing access to the admin center even after resetting the password and clearing browser data.

Before you start

Verify that your internet connection is stable and ensure you have your Microsoft 365 E3 admin login credentials and mobile device ready for multi-factor authentication setup.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Private Browsing and Complete MFA Enrollment

Using an incognito or private browsing window forces Microsoft to prompt for the mandatory Authenticator setup, bypassing the redirect loop.

When you sign up for a Microsoft 365 E3 trial, Microsoft's security defaults require you to set up multi-factor authentication (MFA). Normal browser sessions sometimes cache conflicting login tokens that skip this prompt, resulting in an infinite redirect loop.

Open a Private Window

Open a private or incognito browsing window (e.g., Safari Private Browsing, Chrome Incognito or Edge InPrivate).

Navigate to the Admin Center

Go to admin.microsoft.com and enter your new E3 admin email address and password.

Enroll in Microsoft Authenticator

Follow the on-screen prompt asking for more information to enroll in Microsoft Authenticator. Complete the two-step verification setup using your mobile device.

Use Private Browsing and Complete MFA Enrollment

Verification Complete: Once the Microsoft Authenticator app is linked to your account, future logins will process smoothly without the redirect loop.

Solution 2

Clear Local Credentials and Browser Caches

If the issue persists, completely removing old Office credentials from your system and closing all active apps can resolve hidden token conflicts.

Solution 3

Submit a Microsoft Service Request

If you are completely locked out of the admin center and cannot resolve the loop locally, you will need to contact Microsoft Support.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Productivity Experience

Dealing with Microsoft 365 admin center login issues and complex subscription setups can disrupt your workflow. WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that lets you dive straight into creating and editing documents without administrative headaches.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Install the Suite: Run the setup file and follow the quick installation prompts to get started in minutes.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open any of your existing Microsoft Office files with perfect formatting retention.

Seamless compatibility with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.No complex admin portals, subscription redirect loops, or forced MFA setups required for basic document editing.Lightweight software that installs quickly and runs smoothly on all major operating systems.All-in-one suite combining Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and PDF tools in a single user-friendly window.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Microsoft 365 Admin Center keep refreshing when I try to log in?

This infinite refresh or redirect loop typically happens when Microsoft's login server expects you to complete a multi-factor authentication (MFA) setup, but your browser is using a cached session token that skips or blocks the prompt. Using a private browsing window forces the MFA prompt to appear.

Is Microsoft Authenticator required for an E3 trial account?

Yes, Microsoft enforces 'Security Defaults' on all new Microsoft 365 tenants, including E3 trials. This mandates the setup of two-step verification using the Microsoft Authenticator app during your first few sign-ins to secure the administrative account.

How do I clear saved Microsoft credentials on my computer?

On Windows, open the Control Panel, navigate to Credential Manager, select Windows Credentials, and remove any entries starting with 'MicrosoftOffice'. On a Mac, open the Keychain Access app and delete any passwords associated with Microsoft Office, Exchange, or ADAL.

Login & Account Issues