MFA & Verification Issues

How to Get a New Microsoft Authenticator QR Code Without Admin Sign-In

Tauseeq Magsi Oct 8, 2026 869 views

Question details

An administrator is locked out of Microsoft 365 and OneDrive because the Microsoft Authenticator app requires a new QR code, but sign-in is blocked since Authenticator is the only configured MFA method.

How to Get a New Microsoft Authenticator QR Code Without Admin Sign-In

Product: Microsoft 365 / Microsoft Authenticator
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to sign in to an administrator account when the Authenticator app is the only verification method but requires reconfiguration.
Observed behavior: The user is trapped in a loop where signing in requires Authenticator approval, but setting up the Authenticator requires signing in to get a new QR code.

Before you start

Determine if your organization has another global administrator account that can access the Microsoft 365 or Entra admin center, as this is the fastest way to resolve the lockout.

Solution 1Recommended

Ask Another Administrator to Require MFA Re-registration

If your organization has multiple administrators, another admin can reset your multi-factor authentication status from the Microsoft Entra admin center, allowing you to generate a new QR code.

This method requires a secondary global administrator or authentication administrator who still has access to the admin dashboard.

Log into Entra Admin Center

Have the active administrator sign in to the Microsoft Entra admin center using their credentials.

Locate Your Locked Account

Navigate to 'Users' > 'All users' in the left sidebar and click on your locked administrator account.

Require Re-register MFA

Select 'Authentication methods' from the user profile menu, then click 'Require re-register MFA'. Upon your next login attempt, you will be prompted to scan a new QR code.

Ask Another Administrator to Require MFA Re-registration

Quick Resolution: Once the other admin completes this step, you can immediately sign in and set up your Authenticator app from scratch.

Solution 2

Contact Microsoft Data Protection via Phone

If you are the only administrator and cannot access the admin center, you must contact Microsoft Business Support to manually reset your MFA.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Microsoft Authenticator asking for a new QR code?

This typically occurs if the Authenticator app was deleted and reinstalled, if you moved to a new phone without using the cloud backup feature, or if the app's local data was cleared.

Can I bypass the automated phone system if it rejects my phone number?

Yes. When calling Microsoft Business Support, avoid entering your phone number if it's not recognized. Instead, stay on the line and clearly state 'Data Protection' or 'Administrator Lockout' to force the system to route you to a human agent.

How can I prevent an administrator MFA lockout in the future?

Always configure at least two different authentication methods for admin accounts, such as a secondary email, SMS, or hardware security key. Additionally, it is highly recommended to create an emergency 'break-glass' global admin account that uses a different highly secure authentication method.

Login & Account Issues