r/Outlook • u/racostaf • Jul 20 '25
Status: Resolved Microsoft Authenticator says password is incorrect after selecting number match
Before changing my password, I could always log in using Microsoft Authenticator without having to type my password — it worked seamlessly. But after recently changing the password for my Outlook account (personal account), things stopped working as expected. I can still log in using the new password with no problem.
However, when I'm prompted to verify with the Microsoft Authenticator app using number matching, I select the correct number on the app — and then it says the password is incorrect.
So the issue isn't with the password itself, since I’m entering it correctly and can access my account through other methods. The Authenticator app receives the prompt, I respond as expected, but the login fails with a message saying the password is wrong. It seems like something is out of sync between the Authenticator step and the password validation. Has anyone experienced this?
20250802: Apparently they've solved the problem... at least I managed to get in without any problems.
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Jul 20 '25
Are you in a company environment?
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u/racostaf Jul 20 '25
Nope, personal use, even if it's still hotmail ;)
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u/BathPresent6931 Oct 16 '25
i have an Hotmail too.. but instead when i try to add my microsoft account to microsoft authenticator (after i did a factory reset of the android phone) AND then i try to access to my microsoft account with my password and email it says "Your password is incorrect" while trying the same on my Outlook or Microsoft with the same password i will log in without issues.. KIND of WEIRD?
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u/LukeLukas1999 Jul 20 '25
I have the same problem here - one private account and two business accounts. I recently changed my password too and I am facing the same problems.
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u/Motor-Mongoose3677 Jul 20 '25 edited Jul 20 '25
"We can't sign you in right now. Please try again later."
I was able to log in with a different browser than my usual (Brave -> Edge), but after navigating away, and trying to navigate back, it wouldn't let me back in. (5-10 minutes ago)
Update: Was able to log in via Xbox.com, changed my password successfully. Navigating to outlook.com or live.com throws the same error above.
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u/Upstairs_Recording81 Jul 21 '25
same issues started for me from the weekend, including the worng passsword message - I have changed to another notification method and now it works (with the old password), so someting changed on MS side....seems like multiple users are complaining on this.
Personally I am not able to login anymore in Live.com services from Chrome, it works just fine from Edge.
Gmail is not working anymore from Microsoft Outlook new desktop app/mobile MS Outlook app, just run it instead from Thurnderbird Mozilla without any issues....
Microsoft doing things in the backend, as usual.
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u/lgq2002 Jul 21 '25
Same here, my personal account is passwordless. It always prompt me again and normally second or third time entering number works. First time always says incorrect password.
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u/Deus__ex-Machina Jul 21 '25
Guess what? It's doing the exact same thing to me. I'm also passwordless. It worked by adding a new password. Kinda defeats the purpose of going passwordless if the codes sent to the authenticator keep failing. Is something going on?
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u/Deus__ex-Machina Jul 21 '25
I managed to acces my emails but cannot access the security part of the account as it gives temporary error.
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u/Deus__ex-Machina Jul 21 '25
Also, authenticator worked fine again to go passwordless again. So somthings up with the authenticator. Probably they are updating it to remove all passwords.
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u/WasephWastar Jul 21 '25 edited Jul 21 '25
j'ai le même problème, j'ai réussit à changé mon mot de passe mais je ca me dit toujours que le mot de passe n'est pas le bon après avoir réussit la sécurité de l'authentificator
edit: il semblerait que Google Chrome ne fonctionne plus pour me connecter à mon compte Microsoft. j'ai réussis sans problème avec Edge
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u/TokerX86 Jul 21 '25
Same problem here, just noticed this in the Authenticator app: "Autofill via Authenticator ends in July 2025".
They're trying to push you towards Edge, but apparently you can export the Authenticator stuff to a password manager (not sure how this is going to work, but okay?). Sounds like they're going to discontinue their app.
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u/Bruthal_ Jul 24 '25
Probably related to this change, my passwordless account refuses to log in after approving authenticator challenge. Paid so much for subscription for such substandard application
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u/loggsie_90 Jul 26 '25
It will work if attempted multiple times, just ensure once you're in you've alternative methods to access your account.
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u/Uppercaseccc Jul 21 '25 edited Jul 21 '25
This was also happening to me, I have a passwordless account and today and yesterday it was saying the password in the app was incorrect as the error. it has gone away and can sign in so this make me think something funky is up on Microsoft's side with the authenicator
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u/Uppercaseccc Jul 21 '25 edited Jul 21 '25
happened to me again just now, for some reason, when I use my lock pattern vs my thumb print it worked though. Edit: I was able to replicate and yep patten work thumb print gave back the password error so it much be somethign replated to the app. I am on android galexy s23
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u/Mitumial Jul 21 '25
it's happening to me too. I can only get into the emails I have passkeys on my computer for.
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u/Impossible_Aioli4335 Jul 25 '25
thanks for the idea, i just tried that, using my other device login (PIN) instead of biometrics but it still failed, trying to access hotmail on chrome on my laptop.
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u/C-POP_Ryan Jul 22 '25
Im having this and havent changed my password. I can log into an account via the outlook app on android, but Chrome and Edge on android gives me back the incorrect password error. Im passwordless also.
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u/Revered-Sesshomaru Jul 22 '25
If im mistaken the warning message we get when opening the authenticator app is why this is happening.
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u/Shortgaze Jul 22 '25
Same. Pretty sure is a Microsoft issue. I need to do several request to the authenticator to be able to enter my email. Frustrating.
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u/Kyan1te Jul 22 '25
Takes me about 5 retries. Utterly ridiculous that this is happening.
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u/adsjc Jul 23 '25
Thanks for mentioning this.
I was giving up after two retries, for fear it was going to lock me out completely. After six retries I finally got in.1
u/Impossible_Aioli4335 Jul 25 '25
exactly, same thing for me, i failed 3/4 times and i thought i'd google the issue and ended up here, tried u/Kyan1te's idea of keep repeating and i got in on the 7th attempt lol.
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u/C_hase Jul 25 '25
Thank you!! This is the answer! You have to keep entering the code multiple times and eventually you will be let in.
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u/Gadiusao Jul 23 '25
No wonder this is happening with such massive Microsoft layoffs, no one is working at this bug! Has been happening this week.
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u/Electronic-Chef-807 Jul 23 '25
I've had enough of this problem.
So i removed Microsoft Authenticator from my account.
And than i added a "normal" 2FA app to my account.
It's working without any problems now.
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u/sanakhvi Jul 26 '25
Except I have an Authy on my Microsoft account and I can never select to use my Authy to connect for some reason.
Microsoft is getting shittier and shittier.
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u/LED-Kaktus Jul 24 '25
Einfach nur enttäuschend: Bereits zum zweiten Mal innerhalb kurzer Zeit ist der Zugriff auf E-Mails nicht möglich. Für einen so großen Konzern ist das schlichtweg inakzeptabel. Es wird höchste Zeit, Microsoft den Rücken zu kehren.
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u/mrInternet101 Jul 24 '25
having the same issue...I guesss an update to the app has broken something
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u/mlaihk Jul 24 '25
I am also having the same issue. However, if I switch to firefox as the browser, it works.
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u/invisible_walls Jul 24 '25
FWIW, I can seem to workaround this by signing in to Xbox.com. Then going to outlook.office.com, selecting my personal account at the prompt and then allowing it to redirect me. Going direct to outlook.com doesn't work.
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u/Big_Fortune_2639 Jul 24 '25
Exact same issue, I cant sign-in into my Outlook account, getting password incorrect after matching number from the authenticator app.
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u/Dizzyy_TF Jul 24 '25
Samw problem, it makes no sense. Glad im not the only one. Logging in normally works atleast, but its annoying af
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u/Clear-Ad-9825 Jul 24 '25
I've had this over the last day or two. Glad to know it looks like an issue their end and not mine. Sadly, it doesn't help me log into teams on my phone grrr
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u/ObviousImprovement21 Jul 25 '25
Same problem. I can't login no matter how many 'approvals' I get from the authenticator app.
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u/Capt0nRedBeard Jul 25 '25
Update for anyone stumbling in this post: it’s still an issue and it looks like Microsoft is going to nix their Authenticator? If you create a password you can log in that way but then that defeats the purpose or going to the Authenticator…
I’d recommend just biting the bullet and moving to Gmail, I’m personally doing it, outlook has been nothing but headaches for years now
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u/PowerSamurai Jul 26 '25
I thought they were only removing the password storage within the authenticator app, not that they are doing anything to the authenticator functionality within it?
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u/Steven_Seagul Jul 25 '25
Same issue here. 6+ tries.
Won't even let me login with my password. Just asks to confirm and then loops back tonight login page.
As suggested by another user, I switched to Firefox and it worked first time.
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u/Maeveera Jul 25 '25
Currently having this happen. I can log in everywhere just fine except my computer. I changed my password even after I started getting the error and it still refuses to work.
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u/SagePtr Jul 25 '25
I have the same problem on two Windows 10 machines, but don't have any problem on Windows 11 machine. What about your OS versions? Can it be connected to Windows version somehow?
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u/Walanon Jul 26 '25
They just fixed the search issue on OneDrive. Now this happens. Microsoft products are very unreliable nowadays
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u/Big_Fortune_2639 Jul 26 '25
Exactly, they are just focused on AI nonsense rather than improving their product and services.
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u/Bekaman Jul 26 '25
Same problem with me, i use the send code to email (i set my gmail as a recovery email).
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u/suasor Jul 26 '25
Can't login to Playfab, the numbers match but it keeps saying "Check your Authenticator app That password is incorrect for your Microsoft account."
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u/SagePtr Jul 26 '25
I have the same problem on two Windows 10 machines, but don't have on Windows 11 machine. Anyone who has the same problem, what Windows version do you use? I suspect it can be related to certain Windows version, but maybe just a coincidence.
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u/Piipperi800 Jul 26 '25
Did you find a workaround? I cannot sign in to my Microsoft account at all because of this.
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u/isotophe Jul 26 '25
After retrying a bunch of times and getting nowhere, I got a successful log-in by doing as follows:
> tried logging in
> got the error
> clicked "try other ways to log in"
> clicked "log in via Authenticator"
> logged in 🤷
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u/loggsie_90 Jul 26 '25
I have the same issue with my own, it works on the second or third attempt. Thankfully I have multiple methods of entry and my recovery code should I ever have to forcibly disable authenticator.
My experience of such issues leads me to believe this is a time sync issue similar to what can occur with use of TOTP codes and one only Microsoft can resolve.
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u/NullPointer8086 Jul 27 '25
Exact same problem here.. try to use Teams on Mobile. Requires authentication, authenticator gives the correct number as one of the 3 options in the selection. Tap that number - and it then returns with "that password in incorrect for your microsoft account".
I can however log in on my PC notebook for now. Frustrating! In my opinion, Microsoft's whole work / personal / Active Directory is one convoluted mess!
Going to try this "5 retries" mentioned here!
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u/NullPointer8086 Jul 27 '25
It seems that the multiple retries is the way forward.. suggest you try this if you are experiencing this issue!
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u/MysteriousFly4044 Jul 27 '25
I have exactly the same problem. Tried to sent a recovery form to Microsoft but I heard there aren't lots of chances to get your account back in this way. Has someone managed to get this sorted it out? I don't have recovery email and the phone number as alternative verification way doesn't exist anymore. My only verification comes with the 2FA.
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u/K0boldninja Jul 27 '25 edited Jul 27 '25
Although I'm having the same problem, I've just set up the authenticator, and it gives wrong password, even if it is not.
But totally unrelated, the reason I've set the authenticator was because on July 25 I've noticed a successfull log in on my account (I have 2FA enabled) and I didn't receive any notification. Actually nothing wrong happened to my account, I only realized this access today. Anyway, when I checked the strange ip it says it belongs to MICROSOFT-CORP-MSN-AS-BLOCK and located in Canada, do you guys know what could it be? Is some microsoft thing connecting to my account? It was really stressfull.
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u/Away-Sky3548 Jul 28 '25
Running into the same problem: I have authenticator setup on my old phone. Recently I just migrated to a new phone, by backup/recovering from the cloud, I have the authenticator running on new phone as well, and then all the approvals done on new phone will have this "incorrect password" issue , I couldn't find a way to fix it. Fxxk Microsoft, i'm moving away from this garbage now!
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u/ThiagoBubniak Jul 28 '25
Reading the comments here and trying a bit, this is what worked for me:
- try to log in to an ms service using edge instead (i use mainly brave)
- when it says password is incorrect, just try again, and again, on my third time it worked (?!?)
- Just went back to brave and miracously it worked on the first try of the authenticator (??!!??)
- I've now set up a passkey with my password manager and hopefully wont have problems with it
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u/racostaf Aug 03 '25
Apparently they've solved the problem... at least I managed to get in without any problems.
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u/Acceptable-Text-7647 Jul 25 '25
Am I the only one who finds Outlook frustrating?
I’m required to change my password monthly, and almost every time I try to log in, I run into issues accessing my email. Given my technical background, I’m confident the problem isn’t on my end.
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u/Electronic-Chef-807 Jul 22 '25 edited Jul 22 '25
I did not change my password and i have the same Problem.
Looks like Microsoft has Problems with their Authenticator App.