Sign-in & Login Problems

Fix Microsoft Account Login Loop Requesting Parent Approval

Maira Mehtab Sep 28, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is stuck in a continuous loop where Microsoft repeatedly asks for a parent or guardian's confirmation, preventing access to the child's account or Microsoft Family settings.

Product: Microsoft Account
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Setting up a child's computer or attempting to access Microsoft Family settings via an application or browser.
Observed behavior: The system continuously prompts the family organizer for approval but loops back to the same request without granting access or properly updating the account status.

Before you start

Ensure you have the login credentials for the adult family organizer account handy and verify your internet connection is stable before troubleshooting.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Windows Authentication Credentials

Use this method if the login loop occurs within Windows applications or during the device setup process.

Corrupted Windows authentication cache files can cause Microsoft applications to fail to recognize account permissions properly. Clearing these caches forces Windows to request fresh authentication data.

Delete IdentityCache and OneAuth folders

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog, type '%localappdata%\Microsoft', and press Enter. Locate the 'OneAuth' and 'IdentityCache' folders. Back them up to another location, then delete them.

Open Credential Manager

Click the Start menu, type 'Credential Manager' in the Windows search bar, and press Enter to open the utility.

Remove Microsoft Credentials

Select 'Windows Credentials'. Scroll down to find any entries starting with 'MicrosoftAccount:user=' or related to Microsoft authentication. Click on them to expand, and select 'Remove'.

Restart your computer

Restart your PC to apply the changes and attempt to log in to the Microsoft account again.

Advanced Registry Edits: Registry changes are also an option if clearing credentials fails, but this should only be attempted by experienced users after creating a full system backup.

Solution 2

Resolve Browser-Related Login Loops

Apply this solution if you are experiencing the parent approval loop while logging into the Microsoft Family website via a web browser.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Microsoft account keep asking for parent permission?

This usually happens if the birthdate on the account indicates the user is a minor, triggering Microsoft Family Safety regulations. If an adult is asked repeatedly, it may be due to a bug, corrupted credential cache, or incorrect birthdate settings.

Can I bypass the Microsoft account login during Windows setup?

Yes, in many versions of Windows, you can bypass the Microsoft account setup by disconnecting from the internet (turning off Wi-Fi or unplugging your Ethernet cable) and choosing the option to set up a limited local account instead.

How do I fix incorrect age settings on a Microsoft account?

The family organizer must log into the Microsoft Family Safety portal online, select the child's profile, click on 'Manage consent', and edit the profile information to update the birthdate to the correct age.

Login & Account Issues