Miscellaneous topics that do not fit into specific categories.
For a locked Microsoft account where recovery attempts keep failing, only the official self-service recovery paths can be used; support agents and forum moderators cannot manually unlock or reset the account.
Use these steps, in order, for the child’s account:
- Try standard password reset
- Go to the Recover your account page: Recover your account.
- Enter the child’s Microsoft email/phone/Skype sign-in name.
- Choose where to receive the security code (email, phone), select Next, then enter the code and set a new password, as described in My username and password have stopped working.
- If security codes or verification options don’t work
- If the code is not received or the options are blocked/rate-limited, follow the guidance in Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues.
- If access to some security info is still available, sign in to the Advanced security options page and add a new way to sign in or verify, then remove outdated info.
- If all security info is lost but the password is known, start sign-in, choose I don't have any of these at the “Verify your identity” prompt, and follow the steps to replace security info. Note that this can impose a 30‑day restriction before sign-in is allowed.
- If the password is not accepted and no security info is accessible
- Use the Microsoft account recovery form (ACSR) as described in Help with the Microsoft account recovery form.
- Ensure a working contact email is available (can be any email, including a new Outlook.com address) and provide as much accurate information as possible.
- After submission, results are sent to the working email within 24 hours. If the account cannot be verified, the form can be retried up to two times per day.
- If recovery remains unsuccessful, Account recovery unsuccessful confirms that the process is automated and can be retried but not overridden by support.
- If the account was locked or suspended
- If the account is locked due to suspicious activity or policy issues, follow the instructions in Microsoft account has been locked. When signing in, if “Next” is not shown and a link beginning with aka.ms/ appears, use that link and complete the reinstatement form. A Microsoft Online Safety agent will review and respond by email.
- If all recovery attempts fail
- The context from Microsoft Q&A and support articles indicates that if the recovery form and verification options cannot confirm ownership, the account cannot be recovered or manually reset by support.
- In that case, Minecraft purchases tied to that Microsoft account may not be transferable; the Minecraft support team (outside this context) would need to be consulted for any game-specific options.
References:
- My username and password have stopped working
- Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
- Help with the Microsoft account recovery form
- Account recovery unsuccessful
- Microsoft account has been locked
- Locked out of my Outlook account and recovery options not working - Microsoft Q&A
- Need help with hacked microsoft account - Microsoft Q&A
- Cannot Access Microsoft Account After Hacker Changed Email, Advice Needed - Microsoft Q&A
- I need to speak with a real person and it seems impossible. - Microsoft Q&A
- How do I send an email to Microsoft about my account being hacked and taken over by <removed> ? - Microsoft Q&A