A Microsoft app for iOS and Android devices that enables authentication with two-factor verification, phone sign-in, and code generation
Follow these steps to regain access and reset the password:
- Use the official password reset flow
- Go to the Microsoft account sign-in page.
- On the Enter password screen, select Forgotten your password?.
- Or use the Reset password link: Reset password.
- Enter the username (email, phone, or Skype name) for the blocked account and select Next.
- Verify identity correctly
- Choose how to receive the verification code (text, email, etc.).
- If the verification options shown are not accessible or not recognized, use the sign-in helper tool as instructed in the article:
- If no verification option works or is available, use this sign-in helper tool or sign-in helper tool depending on what is shown.
- If the verification code is not working
- Follow the guidance in Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues:
- If blocked or rate-limited, avoid repeated attempts; wait the recommended period (for some blocks this can be about a day or more) before trying again.
- If the phone number is VOIP, it cannot be used; add a mobile phone number instead as described in the article.
- If the message says "Try another verification method" or similar, follow the article’s steps:
- Try another verification method already on the account (alternate email, different phone, etc.).
- Try another network (different Wi‑Fi or mobile data) and avoid excessive repeated requests.
- Use the sign-in helper to diagnose the block and see available options.
- Follow the guidance in Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues:
- If the account is locked or blocked
- If the account is blocked due to suspicious activity or terms-of-use issues, follow the instructions given when signing in (often an aka.ms/ link) as described in Microsoft account has been locked.
- For Outlook.com accounts specifically, use the Unblock my Outlook.com account article and the Sign-in Helper to unblock.
- If all security info is lost or codes cannot be received
- If the password is known but all security info is lost, follow the I’ve lost access to my Microsoft account security info steps:
- Start sign-in, then at Verify your identity choose I don't have any of these and follow the process to replace security info.
- After replacing security info, there is a 30‑day wait before full sign-in is allowed.
- If the password is not known and no security info is available, use the account recovery form as described in Help with the Microsoft account recovery form:
- Read the guidance, then submit via Recover account.
- If the password is known but all security info is lost, follow the I’ve lost access to my Microsoft account security info steps:
- If the username/password still do not work
- If the username and password have stopped working even after reset, follow My username and password have stopped working:
- Use Recover your account.
- Ensure the correct email domain is used (for example, .com vs .co.uk) and that the email name is typed correctly.
- If still unable to sign in and the message says "We couldn't find an account with that username", use the Sign-in Helper tool.
- If the username and password have stopped working even after reset, follow My username and password have stopped working:
If these steps fail repeatedly, wait for the cooldown period (to clear blocks and rate limits) and then retry using a familiar device and network, following the recovery and verification guidance above.
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