MFA & Verification Issues

How to Fix Microsoft Authenticator Failing for a Guest SharePoint Account

Amos Gikunda Sep 25, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to authenticate and access a client's SharePoint site but is failing to do so because Microsoft Authenticator rejects the guest account login.

How to Fix Microsoft Authenticator Failing for a Guest SharePoint Account

Product: Microsoft SharePoint / Authenticator
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to log into a client's SharePoint portal as an invited guest user.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Authenticator fails during login because the guest account belongs to a separate Microsoft Entra tenant with distinct multifactor authentication requirements.

Before you start

Identify the IT administrator for the client's Microsoft Entra tenant, as you will need their assistance to reset your guest account access and issue a new invitation.

Solution 1Recommended

Request Account Removal and Re-invite

Ask the client administrator to reset your guest access by issuing a new invitation, which allows you to set up MFA from scratch on their specific tenant.

Guest accounts exist in a separate Microsoft Entra tenant from your personal account. Because of this, the multifactor authentication requirements and tokens are completely isolated. Getting a fresh invite resets the connection and allows you to establish proper authentication.

Contact the Client Administrator

Reach out to the client's IT support team and ask them to remove your current guest account profile from their Microsoft Entra directory.

Receive a New Invitation

Wait for the administrator to send a new SharePoint guest invitation to your email address.

Accept and Re-register

Click the link in the new invitation email, accept the permissions, and follow the on-screen prompts to register your device for multifactor authentication within their tenant.

Alternative Verification Methods: During the re-registration process, consider setting up a secondary authentication method, such as SMS verification, in case the app fails again.

Solution 2

Update and Re-add the Account in Authenticator

Clear outdated configurations from the Microsoft Authenticator app to prevent synchronization issues when scanning your new setup code.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for Hassle-Free Document Collaboration

Struggling with complicated SharePoint access and tenant authentication issues? If you just need a straightforward way to open, edit, and share files with clients, try WPS Office. It provides a comprehensive, all-in-one suite for document management without the headache of complex IT permissions.

No complex tenant setups required for basic document editing and sharing.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats.Lightweight suite with an intuitive interface that loads rapidly on any device.Includes free built-in cloud storage for seamless external file sharing.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Authenticator work for my main account but not the guest account?

Your main account and the guest account exist in separate Microsoft Entra tenants. The client's tenant has its own security policies that require a completely separate MFA registration to grant access.

Can I use the same Microsoft Authenticator app for multiple tenant accounts?

Yes, you can manage multiple accounts in the same app. However, each organization's account must be added individually by scanning their specific setup QR code during the login configuration.

What if I still can't log in after receiving a new SharePoint invitation?

If a new invitation doesn't resolve the issue, try clearing your web browser's cache, ensuring you are accessing the exact SharePoint URL provided by the client, and confirming that your network is not blocking Microsoft authentication servers.

Login & Account Issues