Fix Microsoft Authenticator Request Denied in Safari on Mac
Question details
Users are unable to complete the Microsoft account sign-in process via the Authenticator app when using the Safari browser on Mac due to a request denial or frozen webpage.
- Product
- Microsoft Authenticator and Safari
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Signing into a Microsoft service, such as OneDrive or the main Microsoft account dashboard, using Safari on a Mac computer.
- Observed behavior
- The sign-in page displays a 'Request Denied' message or completely stops responding after the user approves the sign-in request in the mobile Authenticator app.
Make sure your Mac is connected to a stable internet network and have your mobile device with the Microsoft Authenticator app ready for approval testing.
Adjust Safari Page Zoom Settings
Changing the zoom level of the Microsoft sign-in page bypasses a known Safari rendering bug that triggers the authentication failure.
A known compatibility issue exists between Safari (specifically noted in version 16.4 on macOS Ventura) and the Microsoft sign-in portal. Setting the browser page zoom to 150% triggers a 'Request Denied' error, while 125% causes the page to freeze after you approve the prompt on your phone. Reverting the zoom to 100% or 115% resolves this.
Click on 'Safari' in the top Apple menu bar and select 'Settings' (or 'Preferences' on older macOS versions).
Click on the 'Websites' tab at the top of the Settings window, then select 'Page Zoom' from the left-hand sidebar menu.
Locate the Microsoft sign-in website (e.g., login.microsoftonline.com or live.com) in the list of currently open websites. Click the drop-down menu next to it and select exactly 100% or 115%.
Close the Settings window, refresh the Microsoft sign-in page in your browser, and attempt the Authenticator process again.
Test with Safari Private Browsing
Using a Private Window ensures that outdated cached data or corrupted cookies aren't contributing to the authentication block.
Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Browser Sign-In Glitches
If browser-based authentication bugs like the Safari Microsoft Authenticator error disrupt your productivity, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a robust, installable desktop suite that lets you work offline and seamlessly handles your document needs without relying on constant browser sign-ins.
- 1. Download the App: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office installer for macOS.
- 2. Install and Launch: Run the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder to complete the installation.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files without needing complex browser sign-ins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Microsoft sign-in page freeze on Safari after I approve the Authenticator prompt?
This freeze is caused by a compatibility bug between Safari's rendering engine and Microsoft's sign-in script when the page zoom is set to exactly 125%. The browser struggles to transition to the success page, causing it to hang. Pressing Command + 0 to reset the zoom to 100% usually unfreezes it immediately.
Does this Request Denied error happen on browsers other than Safari?
Typically, no. This specific zoom-related 'Request Denied' and freezing behavior is an isolated bug observed on Safari for Mac (specifically noted around version 16.4). Browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge do not exhibit this behavior at altered zoom levels.
Will updating my Mac fix the Safari Authenticator bug?
Because this involves compatibility between Safari and Microsoft's website code on macOS Ventura, keeping your Mac updated to the latest OS version is highly recommended. Apple frequently releases Safari updates that patch rendering issues and browser glitches.
