Microsoft 365 features that help users manage their subscriptions, account settings, and billing information.
The Outlook.com account cannot be fixed directly here, but the following supported steps can be used to regain access and correct the sign-in and verification issues:
- Verify the correct Microsoft account and domain
- Make sure the correct email address and domain are being used when signing in (for example, .com vs .co.uk, and the correct spelling of the name part such as
rachelvsrachael). - If the Outlook.com address is not recognized, try any other alias or phone number that may be associated with the same Microsoft account.
If the username or password no longer works, follow the official recovery process:
- Recover the Microsoft account
- Go to Recover your account using this link: Recover your account.
- Enter the Outlook.com email address, phone number, or Skype name used to sign in.
- Choose where to receive the security code (phone, alternate email, etc.) and select Next.
- Enter the requested information and select Send code.
- Enter the security code in Verify your identity, then select Next.
- Create a New password and confirm it.
Tips from the guidance:
- Ensure the correct domain is used (for example,
outlook.com, not another country domain). - Check for typos in the email name.
- If the email isn’t recognized, try another alias or phone number on the account.
- If the account is blocked or asking for codes that do not arrive
- If the Outlook.com account is temporarily blocked due to unusual sign-in activity, use the Sign-in Helper: Sign-in Helper to unblock it.
- If verification codes are not arriving or are being sent to security info that is no longer accessible, follow the account recovery path referenced above. If the security info shown (like a shaw.ca address) is not recognized, use the recovery option and provide as much information as possible.
- If sign-in still fails or the account cannot be recovered
- If the account still cannot be unblocked or signed into after entering security codes or changing the password, use the guidance at When you can't sign in to your Microsoft account (linked from the unblock article) to continue troubleshooting and access the link to contact support.
- If the message “We couldn't find an account with that username” continues to appear, use the Contact support option from the “My username and password have stopped working” article to reach a support advocate and explain that the username has stopped working.
- Get additional Outlook.com and Microsoft account support
- For Outlook.com-specific issues (such as not receiving mail on the phone after sign-in problems are resolved), use Outlook.com in a browser and select Help on the menu bar, then enter the issue. If self-help does not resolve it, scroll to Still need help? and select Yes to contact support while signed in.
- If sign-in to Outlook.com is not possible at all, use the alternate link provided for contacting Outlook.com support when unable to sign in.
- For broader Microsoft account and subscription issues, use Account & Billing Help.
These are the supported paths to:
- Recover or reset the Microsoft account password.
- Unblock a temporarily blocked Outlook.com account.
- Escalate to Microsoft support when self-service recovery does not work.
References:
- My username and password have stopped working
- Unblock my Outlook.com account
- Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
- Common problems with two-step verification for a work or school account
- Unable to send emails from Outlook.com connected accounts from Outlook app
- Outlook prompts for phone number for Outlook.com accounts
- I need to speak with a real person and it seems impossible. - Microsoft Q&A
- Can't sign in to my email - Microsoft Q&A