Verification code not received for iCloud sign-in on Mac laptop

Upon laptop startup I get the above message after I try to Continue to Sign in to ICloud with the proper ICloud log in information (email and password). I have my iPhone sitting right here(signed in to my Apple account) and nothing ever happens. The only way I can get past the two death windows is to end task ICloud. What am I doing wrong? Why does this have to happen every time I restart my laptop? I am paying for ICloud storage every month but can’t use it. The verification code never arrives and if it ever did, there is nowhere to enter it. I have been fighting this for seven months. Help!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]