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Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) does not work with Google Authenticator. Response Invalid Error - Support and Troubleshooting
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KB0748960

Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) does not work with Google Authenticator. Response Invalid Error


3740 Views Last updated : Jan 16, 2025 public Copy Permalink
KB Summary by Now Assist

Issue

When configuring the Google Authenticator plugin in Chrome, or using any other MFA tool from your phone, and scanning the coded image, the tokens are not valid and error :  "Response not valid". 

 

Cause

The root cause is time synchronization. Multi-Factor authentication with a cellphone application is very time sensitive. If the phone does not get network time, the time difference between the phone that has the MFA code and the instance might be greater than the life-time for the MFA token.

 

Resolution

First, you should set up your phone to use the network time. 

For an Android devices, go to:

↳ Settings > System > Date and Time and ensure that "Use network-provided time" is selected.

↳ If this is not selected, please select and retry the MFA registration.

 

For iOS devices, go to:

↳ Settings > General > Date & Time > Time Zone and Turn on "Set Automatically". This automatically sets your date and time based on your time zone.

 

If you use Google Authentication, you should also change the Google chrome Authenticator plugin settings.

Select option to sync the clock with Google. See screen print below.

 


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