Verification code not working for child account

Hello Phil V,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum!

I understand that you are having issue with creating Microsoft account. I truly understand how you feel. Let me assist you go through this situation.

Email verification can fail if you’re entering an older code, browser cache/extensions interfere, or the child account’s age/region/consent is mismatched with the Family group. Microsoft also requires a one‑time account verification at aka.ms/familyverify on the child’s device; if this isn’t completed or is cached incorrectly, verification loops and “invalid code” errors are common.

I suggest you could try these steps:

1. Use the newest code only
   • Open the latest Gmail verification mail on the child’s device, copy the code carefully (no spaces), and paste it immediately. If you requested multiple codes, discard all older emails and retry with the most recent.
2. Verify the child’s account on the device (required step)
   • On the child’s Windows PC: open Microsoft Edge > go to https://aka.ms/familyverifyand complete the prompts. If you don’t see “Verify” under Settings > Accounts, this link forces verification.
3. Clear cache, sign out everywhere, and use InPrivate
   • Sign out of all Microsoft accounts in Chrome and Edge.
   • Clear cookies/cache.
   • Re‑try verification in Edge InPrivate or Chrome Incognito while signed in only as the
4. Check child profile: birthdate & region must match the family
   • For each child: visit https://account.microsoft.com/accountand confirm Birthdate and Country/Region are correct and align with the organizer’s country. Fix mismatches and approve changes as parent if prompted.
5. Temporarily remove consent, then re‑add the child
   • Go to family.microsoft.com → select the child → Remove consent.
   • Back to the family page → Remove from family group.
   • Add the child again and run verification fresh (step 2). Use InPrivate if the site loops.
6. Try Edge (preferred) and disable extensions during verification
   • Ad‑blockers, script blockers, and password managers can break the flow; disable them or use a clean Edge/InPrivate session for the verification step. (Chrome 143 is fine, but Edge is the supported path in some flows.)
7. Confirm Windows time & account status on each child PC
   • Settings > Time & language > Date & time > turn on Set time automatically and Sync now.
   • Settings > Accounts > check for Verify under Microsoft account; complete it if present (then repeat step 2).
8. If it still says, “invalid code,” contact Account Security support

• Visit this site: Contact – Microsoft Support
• Type Contact in the search box.
• Now, click on Get Help and select Contact Support or enter below to contact support.
• Go to the Products & Services tab and select “Manage Account Security”
• Go to Confirm.
• You can now choose the Chat with a support agent option in your web browser.

Please note that the chat support team only works during certain working hours. Therefore, if the last window indicates that you are unavailable, try opening it again the next day. If you prefer phone support, you can leave a phone number. That way, they can call you and help you.

I hope this will help with your situation. Please feel free to reach back if you have further update or more questions.

Best Regards,

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment”.   

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.