---
name: iam-ts-iam-mfa
title: Why can't I log in with my MFA factors?
description: You are required to use an authentication factor in addition to your username and password, to securely log in to IBM Cloud® if at least one account that you are a member of enables MFA. You can update or reset your authentication methods if the email address or phone number that you use to authenticate changes or becomes inaccessible by going to the Verification methods and authentication factors page.
last-updated: 2026-03-31
---

> ## Documentation Index
> The table of contents for this documentation set is at https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/iam?format=markdown
> The index for all IBM Cloud docs is at: https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use these files to discover more information as needed.

# Why can't I log in with my MFA factors?
{: #troubleshoot-MFA}
{: troubleshoot}

You are required to use an authentication factor in addition to your username and password, to securely log in to IBM Cloud® if at least one account that you are a member of enables MFA. You can update or reset your authentication methods if the email address or phone number that you use to authenticate changes or becomes inaccessible by going to the [Verification methods and authentication factors](https://iam.cloud.ibm.com/mysecurity){: external} page.
{: shortdesc}

When I try to log in with an authentication factor, the following error message is displayed:
{: tsSymptoms}

```text
Error: Incorrect validation code.
```

One or more of the authentication factors that you use are inaccessible. For example, if one of your authentication factors sends you a one-time passcode by way of SMS, but you changed your phone number, then you need to reset your MFA factors.
{: tsCauses}

1. Go to the [Verification methods and authentication factors](https://iam.cloud.ibm.com/mysecurity){: external} page.
{: tsResolve}

2. Validate your identity with two different verification methods.
3. Click **Show accounts**.
4. Take note of the Authentication setting for each account.
   1. If the account uses MFA for **IBMid users**, work with the [IBMid help desk](https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/ibmid){: external} to reset your authentication factors.
   1. If the account uses MFA for **All users**, you can reset your authentication factors on the Verification methods and authentication factors page.
      1. Click the checkbox next to the MFA method that you want to reset and click Remove.
      1. Set up your new MFA factor the next time that you login to IBM Cloud®.

For more information, see [Managing verification methods and MFA factors](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/iam?topic=iam-verification-authentication&interface=ui&format=markdown).

If you do not receive an email that contains the verification code for MFA, check all the folders in your email account. For example, the Other folder in Outlook.
{: note}