MFA & Verification Issues

How to Reset Microsoft Authenticator for School or Work Accounts

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to reset or bypass Microsoft Authenticator for a school-provided or work account after accidentally deleting the application.

Product: Microsoft Authenticator
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to log into a school or work account without access to the previously configured Authenticator app.
Observed behavior: The user is trapped in an authentication loop because the login system strictly requires approval from the deleted Microsoft Authenticator app.

Before you start

Ensure you have an alternative contact method available and gather your student or employee ID, as you will likely need to verify your identity with your IT department.

Solution 1Recommended

Contact Your IT Administrator to Reset MFA

The most effective way to resolve a school or work account authentication loop is to have your organization's IT administrator reset your Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) settings.

School and work accounts are centrally managed by IT administrators for security reasons. When an authenticator app is deleted without a backup, the user does not have the permissions to bypass the security prompt on their own.

Find IT Contact Information

Locate the phone number, email address, or help desk portal for your school or organization's IT support team.

Request an MFA Reset

Contact the support team and explain that you accidentally deleted the Microsoft Authenticator app and are currently locked out of your account.

Verify Your Identity

Provide your student or employee ID, and any other verification details requested by the IT staff so they can securely access your account settings.

Wait for Confirmation

Ask the administrator to 'Require re-register MFA' in the Azure/Entra ID portal and wait for them to confirm the reset is complete.

Administrator Action Required: Only an administrator with global or authentication admin rights can perform this reset for organizational accounts.

Solution 2

Reconfigure Authenticator After the IT Reset

Once your IT admin resets your MFA, you must set up the Microsoft Authenticator app from scratch to restore access.

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1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the software.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover my Microsoft Authenticator accounts without contacting IT?

If you did not enable the cloud backup feature within the Authenticator app before deleting it, you cannot recover the accounts independently. You must contact your organization's IT administrator to reset your MFA.

Why am I stuck in an authentication loop?

This occurs because your school or work account is strictly configured to send login approval prompts to the specific installation of the app that you deleted. The server does not automatically detect that the app was removed.

How long does it take for an IT admin to reset MFA?

The technical reset process only takes a few minutes for an admin to perform via their management portal. However, your wait time will depend entirely on your organization's IT help desk queue and response policies.

Can I use an alternative authentication method like SMS?

If you previously set up a secondary method (such as a phone number for SMS or an alternate email) during your initial account setup, you can click 'Sign in another way' on the login screen. If you did not, admin intervention is your only option.

Login & Account Issues