As more online platforms require two-factor authentication (2FA) for secure access, Time-based One-Time Passwords (TOTP) have become increasingly common. Microsoft Authenticator is one of the leading apps used to generate these unique codes. But what happens when those codes suddenly stop working, even when you’re sure you’ve entered them correctly? The culprit may be something as simple as a misaligned clock on your mobile device, a problem known as time-drift.
TLDR:
TOTP codes generated by Microsoft Authenticator rely heavily on your device’s internal clock. Even a slight deviation from the actual time can result in failed login attempts. This issue, known as time-drift, can be corrected easily by resynchronizing your device’s clock. Ensuring automatic time settings are enabled can typically resolve this problem in under a minute.
What is Time-Drift and Why Does It Matter?
TOTP (Time-based One-Time Password) is an algorithm that generates a new code periodically—usually every 30 seconds—based on a shared secret key and the current time. Microsoft Authenticator and similar apps such as Google Authenticator use this method to generate login codes that match what the server expects at the moment.
The important thing to note is that this method assumes that both your device and the server are referencing the same precise time. If your device’s time is even a few seconds off, the generated code might not match what the server is expecting, resulting in a failed authentication attempt. This phenomenon is known as time-drift.
Symptoms of Time-Drift in Microsoft Authenticator
How can you tell if time-drift is affecting your Microsoft Authenticator app? Common symptoms include:
- Login attempts consistently fail despite using the most recent TOTP code
- Using backup codes works, indicating TOTP mismatch rather than credential errors
- Authenticator works on one device but fails on another
- The clock on your phone appears a few seconds off when compared to official time sources
Because TOTP relies on real-time accuracy, even a small discrepancy of 30 seconds—sometimes less—may be all it takes for the code to become invalid. This is why many services allow a small timeframe or “tolerance window” of a few seconds, but it’s not always enough.
Why Does Time-Drift Happen?
Time-drift can occur for a number of reasons:
- Disabled automatic time settings: If your phone’s clock isn’t set to sync automatically with the internet time servers, it can slowly drift out of sync.
- Manual clock changes: Manually setting the time can cause slight inaccuracies that grow worse over time.
- Traveling between time zones: Occasionally, crossing time zones confuses the device’s time sync features, delaying updates.
- Infrequent reboots or updates: Some devices fall behind because they haven’t been restarted or pinged an NTP server in a while.
Checking for Time-Drift on Your Device
Before diving into fixing the issue, it’s a good idea to confirm whether time-drift is indeed the cause of failed logins. You can validate your device’s time against a trusted source:
- Visit a reliable online time source such as Time.is
- Compare the time displayed on your phone to that on the website
- Even a 5-10 second mismatch can result in TOTP authentication issues
If you see a mismatch, then you’ve likely identified the root of your TOTP problem.
How to Resynchronize the Clock on Your Device
Luckily, fixing time-drift is usually simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide for resynchronizing your mobile device’s clock:
For Android devices
- Open your Settings app
- Tap on System and then on Date & Time
- Ensure Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically are both enabled
- If they were disabled, enable them and restart your phone to ensure synchronization
For iPhones (iOS)
- Go to Settings > General > Date & Time
- Toggle on Set Automatically
- Ensure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data to sync with Apple’s time servers
- Reboot your device if necessary
Once your clock is resynchronized, open Microsoft Authenticator and test logging in again. In most cases, the issue should now be resolved.
Advanced Options: What If It Still Doesn’t Work?
If you’ve verified that the time is correct and the codes still aren’t being accepted, here are a few additional troubleshooting steps:
- Reinstall Microsoft Authenticator: Uninstalling and reinstalling can wipe out corrupted cache files that may affect timing.
- Re-add the Account: Remove the account in Microsoft Authenticator and re-add it using the QR code or manual TOTP setup provided by the service.
- Check NTP Sync: On Android devices with developer options enabled, you can check if the device is syncing with Network Time Protocol (NTP) servers.
Note that re-adding an account may require scanning a new QR code, which often means you’ll need access to account recovery or backup codes.
Preventing Time-Drift in the Future
To avoid this issue down the line, it’s a good idea to follow these best practices:
- Always keep automatic time synchronization enabled on your devices
- Update your OS regularly to ensure time services and sync protocols remain current
- Turn your device off and on periodically to force a resynchronization
- Be cautious when switching time zones—check your settings afterward
Apps like Microsoft Authenticator depend on your device’s clock, and so do nearly all other TOTP-based 2FA apps. Making sure your phone’s time is kept in sync isn’t just a convenience—it’s a necessity.
Conclusion
Time-drift might sound like a minor technical detail, but it can have outsized consequences when it comes to digital security. A few seconds off the correct time can bar you from entry to critical accounts, causing unnecessary frustration. Microsoft Authenticator users affected by failed login attempts may be surprised to learn that the fix is as simple as enabling automatic time sync on their phones.
With the increasing reliance on TOTP for secure authentication across banking, communications, and cloud management platforms, understanding and preventing time-drift is essential. Next time your authentication code fails, don’t assume it’s your password. Check the clock—it might just save you a support ticket.