Account Locked & Blocked

How to Fix Too Many Repeated Authentication Attempts in Teams on Mac

Maira Mehtab Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to log into Microsoft Teams on Mac due to a server error indicating excessive login attempts.

How to Fix Too Many Repeated Authentication Attempts in Teams on Mac

Product: Microsoft Teams
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Attempting to sign in to the Microsoft Teams desktop application on an iMac or MacBook.
Observed behavior: The application displays a message stating that the Microsoft account login server detected too many repeated authentication attempts, resulting in a temporary sign-in block.

Before you start

Fully quit the Microsoft Teams application on your Mac by pressing Cmd + Q to prevent background processes from triggering additional automated login attempts.

Solution 1Recommended

Wait and Contact Your Microsoft 365 Administrator

The safest and most effective way to resolve a temporary authentication block is to wait for the timeout period to expire or seek assistance from your IT administrator.

Microsoft's security servers automatically implement a temporary lockout when they detect suspicious login behavior or rapid successive login failures. Attempting to bypass this immediately can extend the duration of the lockout.

Pause login attempts

Wait for at least 15 to 30 minutes without trying to sign in. This allows the temporary security block on Microsoft's authentication server to automatically expire.

Contact your IT Admin (End Users)

If you are an end user and the lockout persists after waiting, reach out to your organization's Microsoft 365 administrator. They can check your account status in the Azure Active Directory and manually unblock your sign-in status.

Contact Microsoft Support (Administrators)

If you are the administrator and cannot resolve the block, log into the Microsoft 365 admin center, navigate to the Support page, and request phone support for a detailed authentication investigation.

Wait and Contact Your Microsoft 365 Administrator

Avoid Password Resets: Do not repeatedly attempt to reset your password during this lockout period, as it may trigger a more severe security hold on your Microsoft account.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Hassle-Free Document Work with WPS Office

If Microsoft server login issues are slowing down your productivity, consider using WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, offline-capable environment to handle all your important documents without complex authentication barriers.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version of WPS Office.
2. Install on Mac: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Open and edit files immediately: Launch WPS Office and open any existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files instantly without waiting for online server authentication.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a temporary sign-in block last in Microsoft Teams?

A temporary authentication lockout typically lasts between 15 to 30 minutes. The timer may reset if you continue to attempt logging in during the block period.

Why am I getting the 'too many authentication attempts' error on my Mac?

This error occurs when Microsoft's security protocols detect multiple failed login attempts in a short timeframe. It is often caused by entering the wrong password, cached credentials trying to auto-login, or network instability.

Can clearing the Teams cache fix authentication loop issues?

Yes. Corrupted cache files can sometimes trap Teams in an authentication loop. You can clear the cache by navigating to ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Teams on your Mac and deleting the contents of the folder.

Login & Account Issues