Quick Answer
The correct answer is to enable the user’s account in Microsoft Entra ID, which unlocks the account without requiring a password reset. When an account is locked due to repeated failed sign-in attempts, the lockout state is a temporary security measure that blocks authentication. By re-enabling the account in the Microsoft Entra admin center, the administrator clears this lockout flag while leaving the existing password intact, directly addressing the scenario of restoring access without altering credentials. On the MS-102 exam, this question tests your understanding of the distinction between unlocking an account and resetting a password—a common trap is to assume a password reset is necessary, but the lockout is independent of the password hash. Remember the key difference: unlocking re-enables authentication; resetting changes the credential. A helpful mnemonic is “Unlock to unlock, reset to replace”—if the user knows their password, just enable the account.
This MS-102 practice question tests your understanding of implement and manage microsoft entra identity and access. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A user is unable to sign in to Microsoft Teams because the account is locked. The administrator needs to unlock the account without resetting the password. What should the administrator do?
Disable and re-enable the user
Why wrong: Disabling then enabling would also unlock but is unnecessary.
Reassign the user's license
Why wrong: License assignment does not unlock accounts.
Reset the user's password
Why wrong: Password reset would unlock but also change password, not required.
Enable the user's account in Microsoft Entra ID
Unlocking the account re-enables sign-in.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Enable the user's account in Microsoft Entra ID
When a user account is locked due to failed sign-in attempts, the administrator can unlock it by enabling the account in Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) without resetting the password. This action clears the lockout state while preserving the existing password, which is exactly what the scenario requires.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Disable and re-enable the user
Why it's wrong here
Disabling then enabling would also unlock but is unnecessary.
Reassign the user's license
Why it's wrong here
License assignment does not unlock accounts.
Reset the user's password
Why it's wrong here
Password reset would unlock but also change password, not required.
Enable the user's account in Microsoft Entra ID
Why this is correct
Unlocking the account re-enables sign-in.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse account lockout with account disablement, assuming that toggling the account status (disable/re-enable) will unlock it, when in fact only the 'Enable account' action in Entra ID clears the lockout state without affecting the password.
Detailed technical explanation
Account lockout in Microsoft Entra ID is governed by the smart lockout policy, which uses a combination of failed sign-in attempts and time-based thresholds to lock the account. Enabling the account via the Entra admin portal or PowerShell (Set-AzureADUser -ObjectId <id> -AccountEnabled $true) resets the lockout counter without altering the password hash stored in the directory. In a hybrid environment, the on-premises Active Directory lockout must be cleared separately, as Entra ID lockout is independent.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Implement and manage Microsoft Entra identity and access — This question tests Implement and manage Microsoft Entra identity and access — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Enable the user's account in Microsoft Entra ID — When a user account is locked due to failed sign-in attempts, the administrator can unlock it by enabling the account in Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) without resetting the password. This action clears the lockout state while preserving the existing password, which is exactly what the scenario requires.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This MS-102 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the MS-102 exam.
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