"Sorry, we couldn't connect to Microsoft services right now." message pops up when I try and add my account onto my Windows 8 computer

I have been having the same issue and the whole situation is incredibly frustrating. I had to reset my surface tablet because it spontaneously started deleting some of my apps like music, video etc. and wasn’t allowing me to reinstall anything. I think it was doing this because my C drive was running low on space, even though I never save anything to it; I save everything to a mini SD card. I had this same problem 2 years ago and had to do the same thing.

However this time after I reset it, it made me set everything up with a local account. So I made up some random name and password. Then I had to go through setting everything up again; backgrounds, pinned to start, device setting. Everything except my apps which I couldn’t access without my Microsoft account. All throughout this process, I kept trying to switch from the local account to my Microsoft account in my settings and I got the same message “Sorry we can’t connect…“. I tried constantly over a 48 hour period without success and after setting everything up, I found this forum page.

The services.msc thing looked promising. Mine was on manual, I switched it to automatic and restarted the device. Same problem, nothing changed. I had to have my apps back, so I went to the store, tried signing into my account. I tried again to switch to a Microsoft account, which didn’t work. So I used the option at the bottom which says “Sign into each app separately instead (not recommended)”. This at least allowed me to see and reinstall all my apps one by one. Although it had not saved my progress in a game that I had for 2 years which was disappointing. It’s not ideal, but at least I can used my device the way I used to before.

I’ve have always used Windows products, but it’s very disappointing when stuff like this happens. I’ve read about people who have had this problem for years and not received help.

I am having the exact same problem.

And I've tried the steps recommended. It's very frustrating cause I can't use the One Drive App that I use a lot. I had a problem with my hard-drive, bought a new one and reinstalled the laptop inbuilt windows 8 but from there on it wouldn't let me sign into my own account with the message: "Sorry we can't connect to Microsoft services at the moment. If this problem persists, search for "network problems" on the Start screen.

There were no Network problems

I also tried to switch the "Microsoft account sign-in assistant" from manual to automatic. That didn't change anything.

They have to have an answer to this.

Also the same problem. It seems as if it is a Microsoft Server problem, which will be solved in near future... hopefully.

I just reformatted my PC and had this issue right off the bat. Is this a Microsoft issue ? I was able to get WIndows 10 installed installed no issue but Windows 8.1 says sorry cant log into microsoft service ?