Can not login to Hotmail / Outlook.com; keep getting errors and requests to verify my email EVERY time when logging in

diegos281 0 Reputation points
2026-05-12T10:01:00.54+00:00

Hello everyone,

I just can not simply log in to my online email account. On the login screen, I type my email, click Next and in the following window, instead of the password input field I always get this window:

Verify your email

*We'll send a code to ***@gmail.com. To verify this is your email, enter it here.

There is an option at the bottom: Use your password

and then the password input window comes up. If I use this option and type in my password (yes, it is correct), I get a white blank page with the following message on top:

Please retry with a different device or other authentication method to sign in. For more details, please see this link

If, instead of choosing the Use your password option, I choose to enter my second email, get a verification code to that email, I can then log in using the code. This is definitely NOT the way this should work every single time and is freaking annoying!

I have already tried to reset my password and update the recovery email, but the problem comes up again. How do I prevent Hotmail requesting the verification code and just use the email and password to log in? It happens the same with another browser and clearing cache and all other data also does not help. Same happens on different PCs.

Thanks

Outlook | Web | Outlook.com | Email

1 answer

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  1. AI answer

    2026-05-12T10:01:17.51+00:00

    The behavior indicates Microsoft is treating these sign-ins as higher risk, so it is enforcing additional verification and sometimes blocking password-only sign-in from certain devices or networks.

    To reduce or stop the repeated email verification and the "Please retry with a different device or other authentication method" message, follow these steps:

    1. Use another verification method or device temporarily
      Since sign-in with password on these devices shows the block message, continue using the verification code method or another device where sign-in still works. This confirms the account itself is fine and the issue is risk-based blocking.
    2. Try another network
      The sign-in block can be tied to the network being used (for example, if there is heavy suspicious traffic from that location):
      • Switch between Wi‑Fi and mobile data on the affected device.
      • If possible, try a different Wi‑Fi network.
      • If sign-in works normally on a different network, the original network is likely being flagged as risky.
    3. Avoid repeated attempts and wait
      High volume or repeated verification attempts can extend or trigger a block:
      • Stop trying to sign in repeatedly from the affected device/network.
      • Wait at least 24 hours before trying again from that same device/network.
      • If nothing changes after 24 hours, wait longer (up to about a week) before more attempts from that environment.
    4. Use another verification method when prompted
      When the "Try another verification method" or similar block appears:
      • Choose a different verification method already on the account (for example, SMS, alternate email, or an authenticator app) instead of only password.
      • After successfully signing in via an alternate method, keep using that method while the block on password-only sign-in clears.
    5. Check for account blocks or unusual activity
      • If the account is temporarily blocked due to unusual activity, follow the unblock flow described in Outlook.com help (for example, the "Unblock my Outlook.com account" guidance).
      • If sign-in issues persist even after waiting and using different networks, fill out the account recovery or reinstatement forms referenced in the Outlook.com support guidance so Microsoft can review and clear any longer-term block.
    6. General sign-in recovery options
      If sign-in problems continue or expand (password stops working, username not recognized, or verification codes fail):
      • Use the Microsoft account sign-in helper and recovery tools referenced in the account recovery documentation to diagnose and restore normal access.

    Once the risk-based block is cleared and the sign-in pattern is no longer considered unusual, Outlook.com should stop forcing verification on every login from trusted devices and networks, and password sign-in should work normally again.


    References:

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