Sign-in & Login Problems

How to Fix Azure or Microsoft 365 Sign-In Redirect Loop

Amos Gikunda Oct 7, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is trapped in an authentication loop where Azure or Microsoft 365 repeatedly redirects back to the login page without completing the sign-in process.

How to Fix Azure or Microsoft 365 Sign-In Redirect Loop

Product: Azure / Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to sign in to a school or work account via a web browser.
Observed behavior: The sign-in page repeatedly redirects between the account selection page and the login screen, eventually displaying an authentication failure message.

Before you start

Verify that your internet connection is stable and ensure you have your correct school or work account credentials before troubleshooting.

Solution 1Recommended

Correct the Device Date, Time, and Time Zone

Syncing your device's date and time with an internet time server is the most effective way to resolve authentication loops caused by out-of-sync security tokens.

Microsoft's authentication servers rely on precise timestamps to issue secure login tokens. If your computer's clock is even slightly off compared to the server, the token is rejected, causing the login page to loop.

Open Time & Language Settings

Press the Windows key + I to open Settings, then navigate to Time & Language and select Date & Time.

Enable Automatic Adjustments

Toggle the switches for 'Set time automatically' and 'Set time zone automatically' to the On position.

Sync with Time Server

Scroll down to the 'Additional settings' section and click the 'Sync now' button to force an immediate update with the Windows time server.

Restart Browser and Sign In

Close your web browser completely, reopen it, and navigate back to the Microsoft 365 login portal to attempt signing in again.

Correct the Device Date, Time, and Time Zone

Time Sync Complete: Once your system clock is accurately synchronized, the authentication tokens will be validated correctly, stopping the redirect loop.

Solution 2

Use Private Browsing and Clear Cache

Corrupted browser cache or conflicting session cookies can interfere with the Microsoft 365 authentication process.

Solution 3

Test an Alternative Network or Browser

Strict firewall configurations, VPNs, or browser-specific glitches might be blocking the authentication redirect URLs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my date and time setting affect Microsoft 365 sign-in?

Microsoft 365 uses secure, time-sensitive authentication tokens. If your device's clock is out of sync with the global time server by even a few minutes, the server assumes the token is invalid or expired, causing it to reject the login and loop back to the sign-in page.

Can an expired password cause a redirect loop in Azure?

Yes. Sometimes, instead of showing a prompt to update an expired password, the system gets stuck in a redirect loop. You can test this by trying to log into the self-service password reset portal to see if your password needs updating.

How do I clear cookies specifically for Microsoft login pages?

Go to your web browser's Privacy and Security settings, search for 'Site Data' or 'Cookies', and type 'microsoftonline.com' or 'office.com' into the search bar. Delete the data specifically for these domains and restart your browser.

Does this authentication loop happen on Mac and mobile devices?

Yes, this issue is not limited to Windows. Mac users and mobile users can also experience this if their system time zone is set manually and falls out of sync. Ensuring 'Set time automatically' is enabled in iOS, Android, or macOS settings usually resolves it.

Login & Account Issues