Summary
Solano Community College requires Microsoft Authenticator for multifactor authentication (MFA) on employee accounts. This guide explains how to install the app, connect it to your College account, test it, and add a backup sign-in method.
Use this when: You are enrolling Microsoft Authenticator on your employee account for the first time.
Audience: Faculty and staff.
Time required: About 10 minutes.
Students: MFA is not currently required for student accounts, so this procedure does not apply to students.
If you already use MFA and are replacing your phone, use Re-enroll Microsoft Authenticator on a new phone instead.
Before you begin
Make sure you have:
- Your Solano username and password. Employees receive their username during onboarding. If you need to reset your password, use FalconNest sign-in: Reset your Solano password (self-service).
- A smartphone. You can use a supported iPhone or Android phone. If you do not have a smartphone, follow the instructions in "No smartphone?" section below.
- A computer with a web browser. Keep the computer and phone available at the same time so you can scan the QR code.
- A personal telephone number or personal email address. You will add it as a backup sign-in method.
- About 10 uninterrupted minutes. Do not begin during a class, meeting, or other activity you cannot pause.
Important: Approve an authentication request only when you are actively signing in. If you receive an unexpected request, select Deny and report it to Technology Services and Support.
Follow these steps
- Open your phone’s app store. Open the App Store on an iPhone or Google Play on an Android phone.
- Find the correct app. Search for Microsoft Authenticator. Confirm that the publisher is Microsoft Corporation. Do not install a different authenticator app for this setup.
- Install and open Microsoft Authenticator. Allow notifications and camera access when prompted. The app uses the camera to scan the enrollment QR code.
- Open the MFA setup page on your computer. Open a new private or incognito browser window and go to Microsoft MFA setup (opens in a new tab).
- Sign in with your Solano account. Enter your Solano email address using the format yourusername@solano.edu, and then enter your password.
- Add Microsoft Authenticator. Select Add sign-in method, select Authenticator app, and then select Add. Continue until the QR code appears on the computer.
- Scan the QR code. On your phone, open Microsoft Authenticator, select the plus (+) button, select Work or school account, and then select Scan a QR code. Point the phone camera at the QR code displayed on the computer.
- Approve the test request. Return to the computer and continue. Open the test notification on your phone. If a number appears on the computer, enter or select the matching number in Microsoft Authenticator, and then select Approve.
- Add a backup method. On the computer, select Add sign-in method, select Phone or Email, and enter a personal mobile number or personal email address and complete the verification. At least one backup method is required, so do not skip this step.
- Finish the setup. Confirm that Microsoft Authenticator and your backup sign-in method appear in your security information.
Confirm it worked
- Confirm that Microsoft Authenticator appears as an authentication method in your security information.
- Confirm that your backup telephone number or personal email address appears as an authentication method.
- Open a new browser window and sign in to a District service to confirm that Microsoft Authenticator receives and approves the request.
Success: Your employee account accepts the Microsoft Authenticator approval and completes the sign-in.
Everyday sign-in after enrollment
- Sign in with your District username and password as usual.
- Open the Microsoft Authenticator notification on your phone.
- If the sign-in screen displays a number, enter or select the matching number in Microsoft Authenticator, and then select Approve.
Never approve an unexpected request: Number matching helps confirm that the request on your phone belongs to the sign-in you started. Select Deny if you did not initiate the sign-in.
No smartphone?
Contact Technology Services and Support before beginning. After verifying your identity, staff can provide an alternative authentication method. You will be issued a hardware USB key you will need to insert into your computer each time you need to authenticate. You will need to schedule an appointment with a technician to issue the device and walk you through setting it up. Please bring your laptop.
If it does not work
Microsoft Authenticator cannot scan the QR code
What to do: Increase the computer screen brightness and move the phone slightly farther from the screen. Confirm that Microsoft Authenticator has camera permission.
Alternative: On the computer, select Can’t scan the QR image. In Microsoft Authenticator, choose the manual-entry option and enter the code and URL displayed on the computer.
The test notification did not arrive
What to do: Confirm that the phone has internet access and Microsoft Authenticator is allowed to send notifications.
On an iPhone: Open Settings, select Notifications, select Authenticator, and turn on Allow Notifications. Then request another test on the computer.
Related articles and guidance
Get help
If you still need help, submit a Password or Login Help request. Choose:
- Account or System: College Computer or Network Account
- Login Problem Type: MFA, verification code, or phone problem
- MFA Issue Type: Other. Enter First-time enrollment in the description.
Protect your information: Never include your password, verification codes, QR code, Temporary Access Pass, recovery codes, or other secrets in the request.