MFA & Verification Issues

How to Remove or Reset MFA for a Microsoft 365 Administrator Account

Ayan Masood Oct 15, 2026 870 views

Question details

A Microsoft 365 administrator is unable to sign in due to a lost phone containing the Microsoft Authenticator app and needs to reset or disable the MFA requirement.

How to Remove or Reset MFA for a Microsoft 365 Administrator Account

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: The user has lost their mobile device with the authentication app and is currently locked out of the Microsoft 365 admin portal.
Observed behavior: The system prompts for multi-factor authentication, which the administrator cannot complete, preventing access to the Microsoft 365 tenant.

Before you start

Determine if your organization has another active Global Administrator, as their assistance is the fastest and most reliable way to regain access to your account.

Solution 1Recommended

Request MFA Reset from Another Global Administrator

If there is another global admin in your tenant, they can easily require you to re-register your MFA methods.

Microsoft 365 allows any Global Administrator to manage the authentication methods of other users and administrators within the same tenant.

Having another admin reset your MFA configuration is the quickest resolution and avoids the need for external support.

Sign in to the Admin Center

Ask the other Global Administrator to sign in to the Microsoft Entra admin center (formerly Azure AD) or the Microsoft 365 admin center.

Locate your user account

Navigate to 'Users' > 'All users' and select your locked-out administrator account from the list.

Access Authentication Methods

In the user profile menu on the left pane, click on 'Authentication methods'.

Require Re-registration

Click 'Require re-register MFA'. This clears your current device session and prompts you to set up a new Authenticator app upon your next login.

Request MFA Reset from Another Global Administrator

Solution 2

Contact Microsoft 365 Business Support

If you are the sole Global Administrator for your tenant, you must contact Microsoft Support by phone to regain access.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can standard users reset their own MFA if they lose their phone?

No, standard users cannot bypass or reset their own MFA if their primary authentication device is lost. They must contact their organization's IT administrator to clear the old session and trigger a requirement to re-register their authentication methods.

How long does it take for Microsoft Support to unlock an admin account?

If you are the sole global administrator, your case is handled by Microsoft's Data Protection team. Due to strict security and ownership verification protocols, the process can take anywhere from a few days to over a week.

How can I prevent getting completely locked out of my Microsoft 365 tenant in the future?

Microsoft strongly recommends configuring at least two Global Administrator accounts or creating a dedicated 'break-glass' emergency access account that relies on alternative highly-secure authentication methods instead of a single mobile device.

Login & Account Issues