Account blocked, requires password change: after change, account still locked

Alex Baronov 0 Reputation points
2026-05-10T23:10:39.24+00:00

Currently locked out of my (@hotmail.com) account for over two weeks. I deleted my only passkey (on my phone) when trying to stop the continuous Outlook sign-in prompts I kept receiving from random locations around the globe. This was before I knew about changing the primary alias being the better way to deal with this. When I was accidentally logged out of my account on Outlook on my phone about two weeks ago, and tried to sign back in, an error message informed me that the account was locked due to too many sign-in attempts with incorrect password. I still have access to my linked email and 2FA app, so I attempted to reset my password. The Microsoft website informed me that the password was changed, but when attempting to use the new password to sign in, an error message stated that the password is incorrect. I tried doing this continuously for a while with identical result. I tried filling out the account recovery form from my phone (which I usually use with the account) and used my last logged-in email instance on my PC (no passkey so could not use it to log in, and whenever I tried changing Security Info it would prompt me to reenter my password again, which would always be reported as incorrect) to answer all the questions the form requested 100% accurately, with the possible exception being my security question, of which I am not certain. I've never received a confirmation or rejection in the email account I gave to get updates on the recovery process. Eventually I chanced upon an old post where someone with a similar problem (newly changed password would not sign them in) was advised to wait 48 hours before changing the password and attempting to change the password and log in again. If that failed, they were advised to wait 1 week and try again.

I have since tried both solutions. Waiting 48 hours did not help, so I waited over a week and tried changing the password and logging in again today. Still, an error message tells me the password is incorrect. Sign in helper reports that my email is blocked, with this message: "We have detected that your account is blocked due to multiple incorrect password attempts."

It then instructs me to reset the password to get back in to my account. I have followed this process many times (both before and today now that the 1 week wait has passed), and while the system allows me to use my 2FA app code and the linked email account to reset my password (it always reports success after I enter and reenter the new password), the account is still listed as blocked right after. Attempting to sign in results in the "incorrect password" error again.

I attempted to use my phone as a way to log in just in case I have previously added it as an alias, but what that appears to have done is create a new account with no email associated with it (although all my personal info seems to have somehow registered there the same as in my original email account). At this point I no longer have access to that last instance of my email on the PC and cannot easily complete the recovery process again.

I am out of ideas, and need access to this email account quite badly as I have important information and services tied to it. Microsoft chat support is currently listed as down. I'd appreciate any help on this I can get.

Outlook | Outlook for mobile | Outlook for Android | For home
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  1. AI answer

    2026-05-10T23:11:03.3966667+00:00

    The account is in a blocked state due to repeated incorrect password attempts, and the automated protection systems are not clearing the block even after successful password changes. For consumer Outlook.com/Hotmail accounts, only the automated flows and the sign‑in helper can unblock the account; support agents and forums cannot manually override this.

    Follow these steps in order, avoiding repeated attempts in between (repeated attempts can extend the block):

    1. Use the official Sign‑in Helper
      • Go to the Outlook.com unblock page and start the Sign-in Helper: Sign-in Helper.
      • Follow the prompts exactly as given there to unblock the account.
      • If the helper reports the account is blocked due to multiple incorrect password attempts, complete the full flow it offers (including any verification and password reset it requires), then stop trying additional sign‑ins for at least 24 hours.
    2. Respect lockout and rate limits
      • Microsoft may temporarily block sign‑ins and verification when there are many failed attempts or unusual activity.
      • Guidance for these blocks:
        • Do not keep retrying sign‑in or password reset; this can reset the cooldown.
        • Wait at least 24 hours without any sign‑in or recovery attempts. If still blocked, wait longer (up to a week) before trying again.
      • When trying again after the wait:
        • Use a device and network previously used successfully with this account.
        • Sign in via the Sign‑in Helper or the standard Outlook.com sign‑in page, not through multiple different apps at once.
    3. Try alternate verification methods and networks
      • If a specific verification method or network is tied to the block, switch:
        • Use an alternate verification method already on the account (e.g., alternate email instead of SMS, or vice versa) if offered.
        • Try a different network (e.g., switch between Wi‑Fi and mobile data, or use a different Wi‑Fi network).
    4. If the account remains blocked after these steps
      • Use the general sign‑in troubleshooter to identify the issue and see available support options: start from the sign‑in helper and follow the links it provides for “When you can't sign in to your Microsoft account.”
      • If the automated flows still do not unblock the account, the system may require more time before it will accept new attempts. In that case, wait as long as possible (up to a week) before repeating the Sign‑in Helper flow from a familiar device and network.

    Because consumer account recovery and unblocking are fully automated for security reasons, no forum moderator or standard support agent can manually unlock or bypass the block. All recovery must go through the Sign‑in Helper and automated verification.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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