Proving I'm human

Repeated prompts to prove being human (CAPTCHAs or identity checks) usually mean Microsoft services are trying to protect the account from possible unusual or risky activity.

For a personal Outlook.com or Microsoft account:

1. Complete the account verification challenge
   • Go to the Outlook.com verification page and sign in to verify the account: use the link provided in the article “How to verify your Outlook.com account.”
   • Enter the characters shown in the picture (or use the audio option). This confirms the account is used by a human and not automated software.
2. Reduce triggers for extra verification
   • Avoid repeated sign-in attempts in a short period.
   • Avoid rapidly requesting multiple verification codes (SMS/email), as high volume of requests can cause temporary blocks and more challenges.
   • If possible, sign in from a stable, usual network (home/office) instead of frequently changing networks or locations.
3. If seeing “Try another verification method” or similar messages
   • Use a different verification method already configured on the account (alternate email instead of SMS, or vice versa).
   • Try a different network (switch between Wi‑Fi and cellular, or use another Wi‑Fi network).
   • If blocked, wait at least 24 hours without repeated attempts; some blocks clear automatically over time.
4. For work or school accounts (Microsoft Entra ID)
   • If a “Let’s keep your account secure” message appears, follow the prompts to add another sign-in method (for example, phone, email, or an app) when asked.
   • Alternatively, go to the Security info page of the MySign-ins dashboard and select “Add sign-in method” to configure another way to verify identity. This can reduce friction and help recover the account if access is lost.
   • If the organization enforces extra security, only the admin can relax those requirements.

If the prompts continue despite completing verification and using normal sign-in behavior, contact the organization’s IT support (for work/school accounts) or use Microsoft’s account support channels for personal accounts, as there may be a security or risk flag on the account that must clear on the service side.

References:

• How to verify your Outlook.com account
• Verifying your identity when signing in
• Common problems with two-step verification for a work or school account