MFA & Verification Issues

How to Stop SharePoint from Repeatedly Asking for Identity Verification

Elise Williams Oct 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are stuck in a loop where SharePoint continuously prompts them to verify their identity when trying to view or edit shared content.

How to Stop SharePoint from Repeatedly Asking for Identity Verification

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Accessing shared SharePoint files or sites while using a browser that has multiple Microsoft accounts logged in simultaneously.
Observed behavior: SharePoint repeatedly displays identity verification prompts and refuses to grant access to the shared content, despite the user entering their credentials.

Before you start

Verify that you know the exact Microsoft account credentials (email and password) that the file owner originally shared the SharePoint link with.

Solution 1Recommended

Access SharePoint Using an Incognito or InPrivate Browser Window

Using a private browsing window isolates your current session, preventing SharePoint from getting confused by other Microsoft accounts logged into your standard browser.

The most common cause of the continuous verification loop is a conflict between multiple internal and external Microsoft accounts logged into the same web browser.

By launching a private window, you start with a clean slate without any cached account data or conflicting active sessions.

Close existing browser windows

Close all currently open tabs and windows in your browser to ensure no background sessions interfere with your login.

Open a private browsing window

Open a new Edge InPrivate window by pressing Ctrl+Shift+N, or a Chrome Incognito window using the same keyboard shortcut. You can also access these from the browser's main menu (three dots in the upper right corner).

Sign in with the correct account

Paste the shared SharePoint link into the address bar of the private window. When prompted, sign in exclusively with the Microsoft account that has permission to access the file.

Access SharePoint Using an Incognito or InPrivate Browser Window

Clear Browser Cache Alternative: If you prefer not to use an InPrivate window every time, you can clear your browser's cookies and cache. This will log you out of all Microsoft accounts, allowing you to log back in with only the authorized account.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Collaboration

If you frequently encounter complex verification loops and account conflicts within Microsoft's ecosystem, consider switching to WPS Office. It offers a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for creating, editing, and sharing your documents without the administrative hassle.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the software.
3. Share documents seamlessly: Launch WPS Office, open your document, and click the 'Share' button to generate a clean, accessible link without complex verification loops.

Completely free, lightweight, and easy to navigateHigh compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)Built-in cloud collaboration with straightforward link-sharing permissionsAll-in-one interface to manage documents, spreadsheets, and PDFs

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does SharePoint keep asking me to sign in even after I enter my password?

This usually happens when multiple Microsoft accounts are logged into the same browser simultaneously. SharePoint gets confused by the overlapping active sessions and repeatedly prompts for verification to ensure the correct authorized account is attempting to access the shared content.

Will clearing my browser cache stop the SharePoint verification loop?

Yes. Clearing your browser's cache and cookies removes the stored session data for all accounts. When you navigate back to SharePoint, you will be prompted for a clean sign-in, allowing you to authenticate using only the correct account.

What should I do if the InPrivate window doesn't fix the SharePoint prompt?

If the prompt persists even in an InPrivate or Incognito window, the issue may be related to your sharing permissions. Contact the file owner or your IT administrator to verify that your specific email address has been granted the correct view or edit access rights for that SharePoint site.

Login & Account Issues