How to Fix Microsoft Account Login Loops That Keep Refreshing
Question details
The user is unable to log in to their Microsoft account because the sign-in page repeatedly refreshes and loops back to the login screen after entering credentials.
- Product
- Microsoft Account
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to sign in to a Microsoft service using an email, password, and two-factor authentication.
- Observed behavior
- The sign-in page displays 'Trying to log you in', then loops back to the initial login screen asking for the email address again. This behavior persists across multiple browsers and devices.
Ensure you have your correct Microsoft account credentials and access to your two-factor authentication method before proceeding with these browser troubleshooting steps.
Use Private Browsing and Clear Browser Data
Using Incognito or InPrivate mode can help bypass corrupted cookies or conflicting browser extensions that cause the authentication loop.
Login loops are frequently caused by outdated session cookies or browser extensions (like ad-blockers) that block the redirects required during Microsoft's authentication process.
Launch your web browser and open a private browsing window (e.g., Incognito mode in Google Chrome or InPrivate mode in Microsoft Edge).
Navigate to the Microsoft login page within the private window and enter your credentials and 2FA code.
If the login succeeds in the private window, return to your normal browser window. Open your browser settings, navigate to the privacy and security section, and clear your cache and cookies specifically for Microsoft websites.
Temporarily disable all browser extensions, restart your browser, and attempt to log in again to identify if an extension is causing the conflict.
Verify and Sync Device Date and Time
Incorrect system time can cause authentication tokens to fail, resulting in an endless sign-in loop.
Contact IT Administrator or Microsoft Support
If the loop persists across completely different devices and networks, the issue is likely on the account or server side.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Microsoft account keep saying 'Trying to log you in'?
This usually happens when corrupted browser cookies conflict with the login session, or when there is a mismatch in your device's date and time settings, which invalidates the secure authentication tokens sent between your browser and Microsoft's servers.
Does clearing my browser cache fix the Microsoft login loop?
Yes, clearing your cache and cookies removes outdated session data that may be causing the login loop. Trying a private browsing window (like Incognito) is a quick way to test if cache or extensions are the root cause.
What should I do if the login loop happens on all my devices?
If the issue occurs across multiple devices, browsers, and internet connections, it indicates a server-side or account-level problem. You should contact your organization's IT administrator or reach out to Microsoft Support to reset your account's authentication status.
Can a browser extension cause the Microsoft sign-in page to refresh constantly?
Absolutely. Ad-blockers, privacy shields, or script blockers can interfere with the URL redirects required during the Microsoft authentication and 2FA process. Disabling them temporarily can quickly resolve the loop.
