Fixing “You Need to Authenticate to Microsoft Services” in Minecraft Bedrock

If you’re playing Minecraft Bedrock Edition and suddenly see the error message “You need to authenticate to Microsoft services”, don’t panic. This is a common issue that many players encounter, and in most cases, it can be resolved quickly with a few simple steps. In this guide, we’ll walk you through different solutions to help you get back into your world without frustration.

Before diving into advanced fixes, start with the basics. Many players solve the issue with just these quick checks:

• Press OK: Simply click the “OK” button to dismiss the message.
• Sign in: Double-check that you are signed in to your Microsoft account on the device. If not, log in from the Minecraft main menu.
• Check Internet Connection: Make sure your internet connection is stable. Wi-Fi drops or weak signals can cause authentication problems.
• Restart Minecraft: Close the game completely and relaunch it to refresh the login process.
• Update Your Game: Ensure that both Minecraft and your device’s operating system are up to date.
• Sign Out and Back In: If you’re already logged in, try signing out and logging back in to refresh your credentials.

If these steps don’t fix the problem, don’t worry — the solutions below address deeper causes of the authentication error.

How to Fix the Minecraft Authentication Error

1. Verify Date and Time Settings

• Incorrect date and time settings on your device can interfere with Microsoft’s authentication process.
• Go to your system settings and enable automatic time synchronization with the internet.
• On some consoles like the Nintendo Switch, syncing the system time with the internet has successfully resolved this error for players.

2. Check Microsoft Account Security Settings

• Log in to your Microsoft account on a browser and check for security prompts (e.g., verify your identity, add a phone number, or confirm your email).
• If your account has pending security requirements, Minecraft may block authentication until they are completed.
• After resolving any security alerts, restart Minecraft and try signing in again.

3. Check Server Settings (For Hosts)

• If you’re hosting a Minecraft Bedrock server, check the server.properties file.
• Find the online-mode setting and change it to false.
• Save the file and restart the server. This can sometimes bypass authentication issues related to server hosting.

4. Restart Minecraft After Changes

• After applying any of the above fixes, fully close Minecraft and restart it. This forces the game to reload its connection with Microsoft services.

5. Update Minecraft and Your Device

• Running outdated software often causes compatibility issues. Make sure your device’s OS and Minecraft are both updated to the latest versions.
• Updates frequently include bug fixes and security patches that prevent authentication errors.

Extra Tips

• If you’re on mobile (iOS or Android), try clearing the Minecraft app cache before restarting.
• On Xbox or PlayStation, signing out of the console’s Microsoft account and re-adding it can resolve the error.
• For PC players, try launching Minecraft directly from the Xbox app instead of the shortcut.

Video Guide

If you prefer a step-by-step video tutorial, here’s a helpful guide to walk you through the process:

How to Fix “You Need to Authenticate to Microsoft Services” in Minecraft (Video Tutorial)