How to fix the "That verification method isn't working right now. Please try another method" screen.

cant change password as its been hacked we think,its saying Try Another Verification method and i have i only have 2

Hi

Welcome to Microsoft community.

The message "That verification method isn't working right now. Please try another method" usually indicates that the

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Best regards

Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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Hello Team,

After more than 3 weeks of not touching a locked Microsoft account of mine, it STILL reports with the messages below when I try and enter ANY mobile number on ANY system (Android, Windows 10 or 11) with ANY browser!

"Your account has been locked

We've detected some activity that violates our Microsoft Services Agreement and have locked your account.

How to appeal this and unlock your account

Choose Next and we'll send a verification code to your phone. After you enter the code, you can get back into your account."

<< so I click "Next"... NOTE: There's no option to even use the alternative email set on the account! >>

"Try another verification method

That verification method isn't working right now. Please try another method."

What really concerns me, is that fortunately in this case, the account is not the main account.

BUT..... if it was, I'd have no access to my data and paid Microsoft Subscription information.

This basic issue of a locked account has not been resolved after all this time, and the suggestions provided are not working.

The solutions provided seem to always reach a dead end, or drive you to go round in circles!

Please is there someone I can speak to about this? Thank you.

Taken from "Troubleshooting verification code issues" page......

How to resolve an account block:

1. Try another method*: Sometimes the block may be tied to the verification method you are using. Try using another verification method connected to your account. For example, if you are using SMS to verify yourself and are hitting a block, try using an alternate email that is connected to the account to receive your authorization code.*
2. Try another network*: Try switching between Wi-Fi or cellular data on your mobile device, or select a different Wi-Fi network if possible.*
3. Wait: Sometimes waiting a day can be enough to remove a block. Don't make lots of repeated attempts, as this may reset any time lock. If there's no change after 24 hours, wait a longer period - as long as possible up to 1 week.

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I am into week "8" and the account is still locked, with no explanation as to why. Not even an email to the alternative email that was set in the account, in spite of all the online forms filled in for appeals. If there was any violation made here, please would Microsoft at least be clear as to what it was. But as far as I can see I've been left to go round in circles, being offered suggestions that have no solution to this problem. You're left to scan the Microsoft Services Agreement to try to find in the myriad of text whatever it is you might have done wrong. This is exhausting to say the least.

Also, even though I have the Microsoft Authenticator running on this account, it does notify me when logging on, but always says the account is locked out. So........... even with 2FA switched ON, I still can't get the account unlocked.

I am having the same issue and there is no secondary attempt method. When I try to recover account i can't when I try to change password I cant.

This comes up when trying to bringup my outlook account on my iphone 16. It says it can not bring up my mail and asks me to enter my password. I enter last 4 of my phone number to do that it is totally locked. It tells me to use another verification method but does not say how or any other options.,

email works everywhere except the phone. It may be because I did not know the password and tried too many times.

However, It makes the phone useless.

is google mail a better option????

Especially since the iphone is the only place that does not work?

******@msn.com