MFA & Verification Issues

Fix Microsoft Authenticator Approval or Code Not Arriving

Algirdas Jasaitis Sep 25, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are not receiving Azure or Microsoft sign-in approval requests and verification codes in the Microsoft Authenticator app.

Fix Microsoft Authenticator Approval or Code Not Arriving

Product: Microsoft Authenticator
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to sign in to an Azure or Microsoft account that requires multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Observed behavior: Sign-in requests and verification codes fail to appear in the Authenticator app, preventing successful authentication and login.

Before you start

Ensure your mobile device has a stable internet connection and that the date and time settings are set to update automatically, as time sync discrepancies can block verification codes.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Check App Settings and Network Access

Resolve common synchronization and notification issues by manually verifying the app's status on your device.

Often, background battery optimization or temporary network drops can prevent push notifications from waking the Authenticator app.

Open Authenticator Manually

Unlock your device and open the Microsoft Authenticator app to see if the pending sign-in prompt appears automatically on the screen.

Check Notification Settings

Go to your mobile device's Settings, navigate to Notifications, select Microsoft Authenticator, and ensure it is allowed to send push notifications.

Verify Network Connection

Make sure your device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi or cellular network, as push notifications require an active internet connection to arrive.

Confirm Account Registration

Check the accounts listed inside the Authenticator app to confirm that the specific Microsoft account you are trying to log into is properly registered.

Manually Check App Settings and Network Access

Use Offline Codes: If notifications still do not arrive, you can tap your account inside the app to reveal a 6-digit one-time password code that works even without an internet connection.

Solution 2

Request an MFA Reset from Your IT Administrator

If you are using a work or school account and device settings have changed, your organization's IT admin must reset your authentication methods.

Solution 3

Contact Microsoft Business Support (For Sole Administrators)

If you are the only global administrator for your organization and are locked out of Authenticator, you must contact Microsoft directly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Microsoft Authenticator not showing push notifications?

This is typically caused by battery optimization settings restricting background app activity, disabled push notification permissions in your phone's settings, or a weak internet connection blocking the incoming request.

What should I do if I got a new phone and lost my Authenticator access?

If you have a personal account and created a cloud backup previously, you can use the 'Begin recovery' option when installing Authenticator on the new phone. For work or school accounts, you must contact your IT administrator to deregister your old device and allow you to register the new one.

Can I receive verification codes without an internet connection?

Yes. If your phone is offline and cannot receive push notifications, open the Microsoft Authenticator app and tap your account. A 6-digit code will appear that refreshes every 30 seconds; this code is generated offline and works perfectly for sign-in.

How do I reset my MFA method if I am the global admin?

If you are the sole global admin and lose access to your MFA method, you cannot reset it yourself. You must contact Microsoft Business Support or the Data Protection team by phone and undergo identity verification using your domain and subscription details.

Login & Account Issues