Managing user access in Microsoft Intune and Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) is crucial for IT admins, but issues with admin password authentication can cause serious disruptions. If your Entra ID admin password isn’t working, the problem could be due to incorrect credentials, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) failures, account lockout, or security policies restricting access.
This guide explores the most common reasons why admins may face login issues and provides effective troubleshooting steps to regain access to their accounts.
Common Causes of Entra ID Admin Password Not Working
Here are the most common causes of Entra ID admin login failures:
- Incorrect Password Entry – Typing mistakes or outdated credentials can prevent login.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Failure – The authenticator app, SMS, or security key may not work or be unavailable.
- Account Lockout Due to Too Many Failed Attempts – Multiple incorrect sign-ins can trigger Microsoft’s automatic security lockout.
- Expired or Disabled Admin Account – If the account is inactive for an extended period, security policies may disable it.
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) Restrictions – Limited admin permissions may prevent certain logins.
- Conditional Access Policies Blocking Authentication – Security settings may deny login based on device compliance, location, or risk detection.
- Microsoft Service Outages – Entra ID, Intune, or authentication services may be down due to a Microsoft outage.
- SSO or Federated Identity Issues – If your organization uses Single Sign-On (SSO) or Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS), a misconfiguration could block login.
- Recent Password Change Not Synced Across Devices – If a password reset was performed, it might not have fully propagated across Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure.
How to Reset an Admin Password in Entra ID
If you suspect a password-related issue, resetting the admin password is the fastest way to regain access. Microsoft provides several methods for resetting a forgotten or incorrect password.
Admins can reset their password via the Microsoft 365 Admin Center, but this requires another Global Administrator in the organization to perform the reset. If Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) is enabled, admins can reset their own password using their registered recovery method.
Steps to Reset an Entra ID Admin Password:
- Go to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center (admin.microsoft.com).
- Navigate to Users > Active Users and select the affected admin account.
- Click “Reset Password” and generate a temporary password.
- Share the new password securely with the admin.
- Upon the next login, the admin must set a new password as per security policies.
If SSPR is enabled, the admin can reset their password by clicking “Forgot Password” on the login page and following the verification process.
Account Lockouts & Security Policies Blocking Login
Microsoft automatically locks admin accounts after too many failed sign-in attempts. This is a security measure designed to prevent brute force attacks, but it can also block legitimate admins from accessing their accounts.
Account lockouts are often triggered by Conditional Access policies that enforce device compliance, location-based access, or risky sign-in detection. If an admin fails to meet the security requirements, they may be denied access, even with the correct password.
To resolve this, another Global Admin or Privileged Role Administrator must review sign-in logs in Entra ID and adjust the policies if necessary. If the account is locked, it will automatically unlock after a predefined period or can be unlocked manually in the Admin Center.
Fixing MFA Authentication Problems
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security, but it can also lead to login failures if the verification process isn’t working.
Admins using Microsoft Authenticator, SMS codes, or security keys may experience issues if their authentication method is lost, outdated, or blocked by Conditional Access policies.
Common MFA Issues & Fixes:
- Authenticator app not receiving notifications → Open the Microsoft Authenticator app and try manually entering the code instead.
- Phone number no longer accessible → If another admin can access Entra ID, they can reset MFA settings for the affected user.
- Security key not working → Use an alternative authentication method, such as a backup code or mobile push notification.
- MFA setup missing after password reset → The user may need to reconfigure MFA during the next login attempt.
If no backup authentication method is available, a Global Administrator must reset MFA settings through the Microsoft Entra ID portal.
Checking Microsoft Service Status for Outages
Sometimes, admin login failures aren’t caused by user errors or security policies—they may be due to a Microsoft service outage.
Microsoft’s authentication services, including Intune and Entra ID, occasionally experience downtime. If multiple admins or users cannot log in at the same time, it’s a good idea to check the service status.
To check if an outage is affecting login functionality:
- Visit the Microsoft Service Health Dashboard (status.office.com).
- Look for alerts related to Intune, Entra ID, or authentication services.
- If there’s a known outage, wait for Microsoft to resolve the issue.
If the issue persists after the service is restored, additional troubleshooting may be required.
Advanced Troubleshooting for Admin Login Issues
If none of the above solutions work, IT admins may need to perform advanced diagnostics using PowerShell or Microsoft Graph API to analyze the sign-in logs.
Microsoft logs all failed login attempts in Entra ID, allowing administrators to see why authentication is failing. These logs can be accessed via the Azure AD Sign-in Logs in the Entra ID portal.
Using PowerShell to Check Admin Account Status:
- Open PowerShell as Administrator.
- Run the following command to check admin account status:Get-AzureADUser -ObjectId “admin@yourdomain.com”
- If the account is disabled or locked, an admin with access must enable it using:Set-AzureADUser -ObjectId “admin@yourdomain.com” -AccountEnabled $true
If the problem persists, reviewing Conditional Access logs and failed authentication attempts can help pinpoint the exact cause of the login failure.
Conclusion
Admin login issues in Intune and Entra ID can be frustrating and disruptive, but they are often caused by incorrect passwords, MFA failures, security policies, or account lockouts.
.By implementing these best practices, IT admins can ensure secure, continuous access while maintaining strict security policies in Microsoft Entra ID and Intune.
If you’ve faced admin login issues, let us know how you resolved them in the comments!
Published on February 13, 2025 under .
