Unable to recover Outlook email password

Question

Unable to recover Outlook email password

Paul Zejda 20

I have a new computer so password auto-complete does not work yet. When I go through the lengthy process of recovering a password for one of mail email addresses, I am advised that my session has expired or that I have made too many attempts.

That happens even when I receive and enter the code from MS Outlook. Any advice? Thanks.

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Alice-N 13,385 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Please note that this is a user-to-user community. As moderators, I have limited access to internal development details. My role is to direct users to the appropriate support channels and resources. While I cannot provide backend analysis, I will do my best to assist you within my responsibilities.

Hi

I understand that you are having trouble recovering the password for your Outlook.com email account because the recovery session expires, or you receive a “too many attempts” message even after entering the Microsoft verification code. I’m happy to help. Could you confirm:

Is the affected account Outlook.com, Hotmail.com, Live.com, or MSN.com?
Do you still have access to the old computer where the password may have been saved?
Is the code being sent by email, SMS, or Microsoft Authenticator?
Do you have two-step verification turned on for this account?

Meanwhile, try the following steps:

Stop all recovery, sign-in, and verification code requests for now.
- Excessive or repetitive requests can trigger a temporary block, and these blocks usually clear after some time. Please avoid requesting new codes or repeatedly retrying the recovery form, because doing so can keep the block active. Wait at least 24 hours, then try again from one trusted device and one trusted network.
Try the Microsoft Sign-in Helper first.
- Before submitting the recovery form again, please use the Sign-in Helper
If another verification option is available, try that instead.
- Verification codes can be sent to another eligible sign-in method already listed on the account, such as a different email address. If one method fails, use another available method instead of repeatedly requesting the same code.
Check whether the password is saved on your old device or browser.
- Since this started after moving to a new computer, if you still have access to the old device, check whether the password was saved in Microsoft Edge Password Manager or Windows Credential Manager.
If you need to submit the recovery form again
- The recovery form works best when you complete it from a device and location you have used before with that account and provide as much accurate information as possible, such as previous passwords, Microsoft services used, Outlook.com contacts, and exact email subject lines if you remember them. See: Help with the Microsoft account recovery form | Microsoft Support
If the issue continues after waiting and trying the steps above, please contact Microsoft Support directly:
- Visit Contact - Microsoft Support (Only chat support is available for personal account)
- Type a brief description of your issue in the search box
- Scroll down to the bottom > select Sign in to contact support
- Log in to another available personal Microsoft account.
- Under Products & Services, select "Other Products"; Under Categories, select "Manage account security", and click Confirm.
- Click "Chat with a support agent in your web browser" (during business hours)

Thank you for your understanding and time!

Paul Zejda 20 Reputation points

2026-06-20T12:56:35.2733333+00:00

Thank you very much for your response, I will follow your instructions. To answer your questions:

The affected account is Outlook.com (when installing the new computer, I have established another Outlook account with another name and password and have no problem accessing it).

I do not have access to the old computer.

The code is emailed to my AOL account which, however, I cannot access either - it's a vicious circle - and AOL has no customer service unless you pay for it.

I don't have two-step verification.

Thanks again!
Alice-N 13,385 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-21T01:56:36.7833333+00:00

Thanks for the update, Paul Zejda. Since you no longer have access to the old computer and the recovery code is going to an AOL account you also cannot access, please use a different working email address when completing the Microsoft account recovery form. This can be another email account you can access now, or even a temporary Outlook.com account created only to receive the recovery result.

You can start here: Microsoft account recovery form

When filling it out, use as much account-specific information as possible, especially old passwords, Outlook.com contacts, and exact email subject lines if you remember them. If you keep seeing “too many attempts,” avoid submitting repeated requests and try again later, as repeated attempts can keep the block active.

Please tell me how it goes when you have filled out the form. Have a nice day!
Paul Zejda 20 Reputation points

2026-06-23T13:45:31.9133333+00:00

Thank you very much Alice-N. I went through the recovery process again yesterday and was advised that I will be advised by email whether I have provided enough information. As of now, I have not received any email. Should I try to recover again? Thanks.
Alice-N 13,385 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-24T03:37:51.0566667+00:00

Hi

Thanks for the update. I’d avoid starting another recovery request unless it has been more than 24 hours since you submitted the last form. The recovery result is sent to the working email address you entered on the form within 24 hours, so please also check that mailbox’s Junk/Spam folder.

If you still receive nothing after 24 hours, you can submit the Microsoft account recovery form again, but I recommend keeping it to no more than two attempts per day. Thank you for your understanding and time.
Alice-N 13,385 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-24T23:43:41.53+00:00

Hi

If you have any further updates, feel free to let me know. Have a nice day!
Paul Zejda 20 Reputation points

2026-06-26T12:45:49.0933333+00:00

Thank you very much. A more qualified member of my family followed instructions and was more successful than I was, everything works fine now. Thanks again.
Alice-N 13,385 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-26T23:36:49.3333333+00:00

You're welcome Paul Zejda. Im so glad that everything is back to normal now. Have a nice day!