Stuck in a sign-in loop

Question

Stuck in a sign-in loop

Dr. Tory Taylor 5

Hello Microsoft Support,

I recently purchased a new HP computer and have been unable to successfully sign into my Microsoft account because I appear to be stuck in a continuous verification and password reset loop.

Here is what keeps happening:

I attempt to sign in.

Microsoft asks me to verify my identity using either my email or phone number.

I successfully receive and enter the verification code.

I am then prompted to reset my password.

After resetting the password successfully, it does not actually let me into the account.

Instead, it repeats the same process again.

At this point, I have reset my password multiple times, but I still cannot complete the sign-in process.

I also attempted to set up Microsoft Authenticator to resolve the issue, but the system is asking me to approve a number through the Authenticator app before I am even able to finish setting it up. Since Authenticator is not fully configured yet, I cannot complete that step either.

So currently I am locked between:

Being required to use Authenticator that I cannot finish setting up, and

Being forced into repeated password resets that never complete the login.

Can you please advise me on:

How to break out of this verification/password reset loop

How to properly set up Microsoft Authenticator when I cannot access the account yet

Whether there is a temporary bypass or alternate verification method available

Thank you for your help.

Chango 0 Reputation points

2026-07-28T05:28:53.2533333+00:00

I'm in an endless sign in loop trying to add MS account to new Lenovo laptop. I receive the number code to the authenticator app on my phone every single time. The devices are synched, but it says "Oops, something went wrong. Can't add account" and the same error happens when I try setting up a local account. All commands and keyboard prompts are disregarded, cannot get out of these screens to resolve. I've been at it 10 days. Help!
roger larabee 0 Reputation points

2026-11-12T19:28:30.9033333+00:00

I tried any Incognito. I've been using this thing six months now. All of a sudden it's just stuck in a loop and won't **** do anything. But then one night struck me.

1 answer

Your answer

Chango 0 Reputation points

2026-07-28T05:28:53.2533333+00:00

I'm in an endless sign in loop trying to add MS account to new Lenovo laptop. I receive the number code to the authenticator app on my phone every single time. The devices are synched, but it says "Oops, something went wrong. Can't add account" and the same error happens when I try setting up a local account. All commands and keyboard prompts are disregarded, cannot get out of these screens to resolve. I've been at it 10 days. Help!
roger larabee 0 Reputation points

2026-11-12T19:28:30.9033333+00:00

I tried any Incognito. I've been using this thing six months now. All of a sudden it's just stuck in a loop and won't **** do anything. But then one night struck me.

Answer 1

Hi Dr. Taylor,

This usually happens when Microsoft detects a security or MFA configuration mismatch during first sign-in on a new device.

A few things that often break the loop:

Try signing in from a private/incognito browser window: https://account.microsoft.com

Clear saved Microsoft credentials on the PC:

Settings → Accounts → Access work or school

Remove old accounts if present

Open “Credential Manager” and remove Microsoft/Office credentials

Do not keep resetting the password repeatedly. That can sometimes retrigger the security challenge cycle.

For Microsoft Authenticator: If the app was never fully registered, choose:

“I can’t use my Microsoft Authenticator app”

“Use another verification method”

Try setting up Authenticator directly here after sign-in: https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info

If you still cannot get past the loop, use the account recovery form: https://account.live.com/acsr

Since this started on a brand-new HP device, it may also help to complete Windows setup using a local account first, then add the Microsoft account afterward.