Ugh, nothing’s more annoying than trying to set up two-factor authentication for improved security, only to run into a vague “registration has timed out” error.
Don’t worry, we’ll get this fixed up! In this guide, I’ll walk you through the top troubleshooting tips to resolve the Microsoft Authenticator app’s registration timeout issue. Let’s do this.
What Triggers Microsoft Authenticator Registration has Timed Out Error?
Before we dig into solutions, let’s quickly understand what causes this timeout error in the first place.
The “registration has timed out” error pops up when this registration communication gets interrupted or fails.
Some common culprits include:
- Weak internet connection
- Outdated app version
- Out of sync device time
- Conflicting sign-in sessions
- Too many failed attempts
Fixes for Microsoft Authenticator “Registration has Timed Out” Problem
Now let’s get into the fixes for Microsoft Authenticator error.
Solution #1 – Clear Microsoft Authenticator App Cache
As a first step, try clearing the cache on the Microsoft Authenticator app.
Cached data from previous sign-in attempts that failed can sometimes cause conflicts and timeout errors.
To clear the cache:
- Open your device Settings > Apps > Microsoft Authenticator
- Select Storage > Clear Cache
Now launch the Authenticator app again and attempt registration. Hopefully clearing the stale cache did the trick!
Solution #2 – Switch to a Stable Wi-Fi or Mobile Network
Intermittent connectivity issues are a common source of timeout problems.
If you’re on a weak Wi-Fi network, switch to mobile data, or vice versa, to establish a stronger internet connection. Or connect your device directly to your router via Ethernet if possible.
With a stable internet connection, try registering your device again in the Authenticator app. The timeout issue may simply have been a network blip that switching connections can fix.
Solution #3 – Sign Out and Reinstall the Microsoft Authenticator App
If you’ve made multiple unsuccessful registration attempts, it can corrupt the sign-in session.
Signing out and doing a clean reinstall of the Authenticator app resets everything.
Here’s how:
- On your device, go to Settings > Accounts and tap your Microsoft account. Select Remove Account.
- Next, uninstall the Microsoft Authenticator app.
- Reinstall the latest version of the app from the app store.
- Launch the app and sign in to your Microsoft account again to reinitialize registration.
Hopefully after resetting the app, the timeout issue will be resolved during your new registration flow!
Solution #4 – Verify Your Network Settings
In some cases, router settings can interfere with app registrations. It’s worth double checking a few things:
- Ensure your router firmware is updated to the latest version. Old firmware can cause connectivity bugs.
- Check that necessary ports like 80, 443, and 3478 are open. Port blocking can disrupt registrations.
- Temporarily disable the router firewall and retry registration. Firewalls may block certain packets.
Adjusting your network settings may help overcome any connectivity barriers causing timeouts.
Solution #5 – Make Sure Your System Date/Time Are Correct
Here’s an easy one to check – just verify the date and time on your device are accurate.
If your system clock is out of sync, it will cause authentication requests to fail, resulting in a timeout.
To check:
- Go to your device Settings > System > Date & Time
- Toggle “Set Automatically” on to sync your date/time with the network
- If “Set Automatically” is on already, disable then re-enable it to force a refresh
With the right date and time set, open Authenticator again and try registering your device. This simple fix could do the trick!
Solution #6 – Contact Microsoft Support if Persistent
If you still get a timeout error after trying all troubleshooting steps, your best bet is to contact Microsoft Support directly.
They can further diagnose if there’s an issue on the server-side causing the persistent registration timeouts.
