A Microsoft app for iOS and Android devices that enables authentication with two-factor verification, phone sign-in, and code generation
Use the standard Microsoft account recovery and sign-in troubleshooting paths; individual accounts cannot be manually “unlocked” by forum moderators or support agents outside these processes.
Follow these steps in order:
- Verify the correct sign-in entry point
- Make sure the account in question is a personal Microsoft account, not a work/school (Azure AD) account.
- For personal Microsoft account sign-in issues (including Authenticator access), start from the guidance in “I can't sign in to my Microsoft account”:
- If the password is forgotten, use Reset your password.
- If the password is known but not working, use the Sign-in Helper tool.
- If the username/email is in doubt, use Look up your Microsoft account.
- Handle the “temporary problem with the service” error
- That message indicates a service-side issue or a temporary block/lockout.
- When this appears repeatedly over many attempts, stop trying for a full lockout window (typically about 24 hours) before trying again, to avoid extending the block.
- When retrying after the wait:
- Use a different browser or InPrivate/Incognito window.
- Clear browser cache and cookies before retrying.
- Try a different network (e.g., mobile hotspot instead of home Wi‑Fi).
- If the issue is with the My Apps / work or school sign-in If the problem is actually signing into the My Apps portal (for work/school accounts), use these steps:
- Confirm the URL is correct:
https://myapps.microsoft.comor your organization’s custom URL (for example,https://myapps.microsoft.com/contoso.com). - If a personal Microsoft account error appears, try using the tenant-specific URLs:
-
https://myapplications.microsoft.com?tenantId=*your_domain_name* -
https://myapplications.microsoft.com?tenant=*your_tenant_ID*
-
- Ensure the password has not expired; if needed, use Reset your work or school password.
- Confirm security/verification info is current using the guidance in Changing your security info methods and information.
- Add the My Apps site to Internet Properties → Security → Trusted sites.
- Clear the browser cache and try again.
- Use the Microsoft account recovery form if locked out If the account is locked or the password reset keeps failing, use the Microsoft account recovery form:
- Go through Help with the Microsoft account recovery form and then submit the form from a familiar device and location.
- Provide as much accurate information as possible (previous passwords, subject lines of recent emails, contacts, etc.).
- If the form is rejected or a daily limit is reached, wait until the next day and try again; the process is automated and cannot be overridden manually.
- When verification codes or methods fail If verification codes are not received or verification methods are blocked/rate-limited:
- Use the troubleshooting guidance in Help with account sign in verification codes and Troubleshoot Microsoft account verification code issues.
- If one method (phone/email) is blocked, wait out the lockout window before retrying, and then attempt again from a different browser/network.
- Contacting support
- For consumer Microsoft accounts (including those used with Microsoft 365 subscriptions), direct phone/chat support cannot bypass the automated recovery and security checks.
- Use the Sign-in Helper tool and the account recovery form as the official paths.
- If a different Microsoft account is available, it can be used to contact support for guidance, but support still cannot manually unlock or validate ownership outside the automated systems.
- If the account may be deleted or not recognized
- If sign-in fails with messages like “We couldn't find an account with that username” or “account doesn't exist,” use the Sign-in Helper tool.
- If the account has been inactive for more than two years, it may have been deleted and cannot be reopened.
Given the long-running issue and repeated “temporary problem” error, the most effective approach is:
- Stop all attempts for at least 24 hours.
- After the wait, from a different browser and network, use the Reset your password flow for the Microsoft account.
- If it still fails, immediately proceed to the Microsoft account recovery form and follow the dedicated guidance for filling it out.
References:
- I can't sign in to my Microsoft account
- Troubleshoot problems with the My Apps portal
- My Microsoft account is blocked. - Microsoft Q&A
- I need to speak with a real person and it seems impossible. - Microsoft Q&A
- My personal hotmail account hacked by hacker with authentication app enabled. - Microsoft Q&A
- Locked out of my Outlook account and recovery options not working - Microsoft Q&A
- Cannot log in Outlook. - Microsoft Q&A