E*Trade MFA Workaround

dobbin · February 17

After struggling with this for quite some time, I figured out a workaround for the Quicken E*Trade MFA issues. Because MFA works intermittently, the following method makes it consisten:
1. Log in once using your full password and security ID, and store the password in Keychain.
2. If the download fails, do not press “Sign In” in the sync window — it will fail repeatedly.
3. Instead, select the E*Trade account you’re trying to download. Then go to Accounts → Update Selected Online Account.
4. Wait briefly. You should be prompted only for the MFA security ID. After entering it, the account should download successfully.

Good luck

Quicken Laura · February 17

Hi @dobbin,

Thank you for sharing your information. It may also be helpful to other users experiencing a similar issue.

If you would like to work toward a more permanent solution rather than a temporary workaround, could you please provide a bit more detail on the following:

When did the problem first occur?
Have you noticed any recent changes on the E*TRADE website?
Have you attempted to reset the accounts in Quicken (deactivating and reactivating) since the issue began?

Your answers will help us identify the best way to resolve this.
I'll be looking for your response!

dobbin · February 18

Hi Laura,

Thank you for your message. E*Trade MFA support has been inconsistent for several years. My first related support case was approximately three years ago.

I have a brokerage account that does not require MFA, as configured by E*Trade. However, my two bank accounts do require MFA.

I have attempted multiple troubleshooting steps, including resetting the connection, deleting and re-adding the accounts, removing and recreating the connection, and testing different connection types.

One additional point regarding the current workaround: when the sync fails, the user should not press “Sign In.” Assuming the password is saved, the correct approach is to right-click the account and select “Update.” Only then will Quicken prompt for the MFA code alone, which appears to work reliably.

Please let me know if you need further details.

Quicken Laura · February 18

Hi @dobbin,

Thank you for sharing these additional details. I really appreciate the thorough explanation. I will also share the workaround with the appropriate department so they are aware of it.

Although you mentioned that this issue has existed for years, and I understand you’ve already tried several troubleshooting steps, could you let me know if you’ve tried adding your accounts to a new test file? If so, please also confirm whether the connection method used was Quicken Connect.

This information will help us narrow down the cause and explore potential solutions.

Thanks again for your help!

dobbin · February 20

Hi Laura, I’ve done so. It works the first time and then it breaks again. This appears to be a consistent timeout at sign-in, as if it attempts to authenticate twice, but by the second attempt the token has already expired. Regarding connection methods, I’ve tried all of them, as this issue has affected me for several years. If you search for E*Trade, I believe you will find many similar cases.

Quicken Laura · February 23

Hi @dobbin,

Thank you for providing the additional information. You are absolutely right, I’ve identified a few other cases reporting the same issue.

I recommend contacting Quicken Support directly so they can investigate the issue more thoroughly.

If you have any other questions, please let me know!

dobbin · February 23

Hi Laura, I contacted Quicken Support few times, also from the number of other cases seems and the duration of this issue seems like it isn't fixable.
Seems like a good enough workaround. Shame it took me few years to figure out that all one had to do was not to sign-in every time it failed to log-in. Ignore, update the account and wait for the token only prompt

Quicken Laura · February 24

Hi @dobbin,

I’m sorry there were no other solutions. However, I’m glad to hear the workaround resolved the issue for you. Thank you again for taking the time to share the steps; they’ll definitely be helpful to other customers experiencing the same problem.

Much appreciated!

E*Trade MFA Workaround

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