Frustrated sign in problem

To get back into the account and complete sharing the Microsoft 365 subscription, follow these steps in order:

1. Recover or reset the Microsoft account used for the subscription
   • If the password is forgotten, use Reset your password: see Reset a forgotten Microsoft account password from the article I can't sign in to my Microsoft account.
   • If the email/username is forgotten, use Look up your Microsoft account: see Forgotten your Microsoft account username.
   • If sign-in still fails or the username/password “stopped working,” use the Sign-in Helper tool linked in the same article. It checks the account and guides through the correct recovery path.
2. Confirm the Microsoft 365 subscription is active
   • After signing in successfully, go to the Microsoft account, Payment & billing page and verify that the Microsoft 365 subscription shows as active or Has recurring billing as described in Problems renewing a Microsoft 365 subscription.
   • If it does not show as active, follow the renewal guidance in that article or contact support from there.
3. Resend the family sharing invitation
   • Once signed in with the correct account and the subscription is confirmed active, send a new family sharing invite from the Microsoft 365 subscription page.
   • Make sure the family member is checking the correct email inbox and following the link in the invite message. The invite flow normally handles any required verification; a separate 6‑digit code is usually only needed when Microsoft asks to verify identity during sign-in.
4. If verification codes are not arriving
   • If a 6‑digit verification code is requested but never arrives, use the guidance in Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues. If still not receiving codes, choose another verification method (alternate email, phone, or authenticator app) or wait until the listed phone/email is accessible.
5. Contact Microsoft Support to speak with someone
   • If account recovery or verification still fails, use the Contact Microsoft Support options provided in:
     • Problems renewing a Microsoft 365 subscription (for subscription and install issues).
     • Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues → Contact Support (for verification problems).
   • Sign in with any working Microsoft account (or create a new one) just to open a support case and request chat or callback for Microsoft 365 and Office and Manage account security / subscription.

If the original Microsoft account cannot be recovered (for example, if it has been deleted after long inactivity), a new Microsoft 365 subscription under a new account would be required before sharing again.

References:

• I can't sign in to my Microsoft account
• Problems renewing a Microsoft 365 subscription
• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
• I’ve forgotten my Skype user name or password
• Forgot Microsoft Teams Free sign in or password
• Troubleshooting suggestions for signing in to Visual Studio subscriptions
• I need to speak with a real person and it seems impossible. - Microsoft Q&A
• Can't sign in to my email - Microsoft Q&A
• Having problems getting text codes to confirm my account - Microsoft Q&A
• Can I speak to someone? -- Billing issues - Microsoft Q&A
• I need to talk to someone!! - Microsoft Q&A