Authenticator keeps prompting me for codes I didn't request

Robin 20 Reputation points
2026-10-05T02:41:34.82+00:00

Authenticator keeps prompting me for codes I didn't request so I checked my account activity and it only shows my logins. Why am I getting all these prompts for codes?

Microsoft Security | Microsoft Authenticator
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Sumit 44,606 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-10-05T06:56:35.8766667+00:00

Hi Robin,

My steps will surley help you get rid of the problem.

You just need to add a new email to your account, and disable the current alias only for signing in.

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  1. Sumit 44,606 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-10-05T15:17:03.3333333+00:00

    Hi Robin,

    The idea is to add a new email address, aka an alias. Use that alias for sign-in only. You can send the email using your older email alias, just it won't allow you to sign in.

    • Make a new Alias for login purposes at this link.
    • Next, fix this alias as the primary alias at https://account.live.com/names/manage page.
    • Now, the next step is to disable the sign-in capability for the the original email, which is possibly hacked in a data breach. Concurrently, You can manage that on this page. Uncheck the Email and click Save.
    • Furthermore, as expected, you can still send and receive email from the old Alias – you have just disabled the capability of it to sign in. Remember to keep the new alias secret or use elsewhere. The dropdown on Outlook apps, like Android and Outlook New on Windowswould show you all your addresses to send an email from.

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  2. Sumit 44,606 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-10-05T02:42:15.7433333+00:00

    https://www.yourwindowsguide.com/2025/04/microsoft-single-use-code-email.html

    Hiding or disabling the sign-in capability for your email would get rid of the single-use code emails. Hiding it would mean that it is not possible to log in using the same, but you can use it for emailing. For that, do the steps below:

    • Make a new Alias for login purposes at this link.
    • Next, fix this alias as the primary alias at https://account.live.com/names/manage page.
    • Now, the next step is to disable the sign-in capability for the the original email, which is possibly hacked in a data breach. Concurrently, You can manage that on this page. Uncheck the Email and click Save.
    • Furthermore, as expected, you can still send and receive email from the old Alias – you have just disabled the capability of it to sign in. Remember to keep the new alias secret or use elsewhere. The dropdown on Outlook apps, like Android and Outlook New on Windowswould show you all your addresses to send an email from.
    • Now, when someone would try to use the breached address, they will hit an error. The error message would say that the Email does not exist.

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  3. AI answer

    2026-10-05T02:41:49.3333333+00:00

    Unrequested Authenticator prompts usually mean one of these things:

    1. Someone is trying to access the account.
    2. Someone accidentally entered the wrong phone number or email when trying to sign in.
    3. A prompt requested earlier was delayed.

    If the prompt says “Are you trying to sign in?” and it was not initiated, select Deny. Without the correct response and approval, the account remains safe.

    If the account activity page only shows successful sign-ins, that does not rule out failed or denied attempts. The prompt can still appear even when the sign-in is not completed.

    To reduce these prompts and improve account security:

    • Do not approve any prompt that was not initiated.
    • Consider going passwordless to use stronger sign-in methods such as Windows Hello, Microsoft Authenticator, SMS or email codes, or a physical security key.
    • If sign-in is failing with “Authentication did not complete”, check that Microsoft Authenticator is unlocked, notifications are enabled, the app is updated, the device has network access, and date/time settings are correct.
    • If the issue continues, send logs from the Authenticator app using Send feedback and contact Support. For work or school accounts, contact the organization’s IT admin.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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