Recovery code

Question

Recovery code

Lexie Clark 0

Hi there, I have made this email account to try recover my old email account. I have done the recovery forms multiple times but I am not recieving any code to reactivate my old email account. How do I know this is even getting processed, and will my account be reactivated?

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Answer 1

GsN5034 - IA 76,475 Independent Advisor

Hello,

You will not be receiving any code to recover your old account. Instead, you will be receiving instructions or a password reset link to recover your account.

If you haven't received any reply email from Microsoft after filling out the Account recovery form, please check your Junk or SPAM email folders and see if the recovery email from Microsoft ended up there.

Also, add the '@Microsoft.com' domain address to the safe sender list.

If you are still not receiving the recovery email, change the 'Contact email address' and submit the form. So you can see if the emails are received there.

Note -

The recovery form cannot be used if two-factor authentication is turned ON.
If you haven't signed in with your Microsoft account for more than years, you cannot use the recovery form to recover your account.

Tip -

Remember to use a familiar device from which you've frequently accessed your Microsoft account, as well as a familiar location. Microsoft will review your responses and respond within 24 hours. If you are verified, instructions on how to log back into your account will be sent to you, and if you are not verified, you will need to submit the Account Recovery form again. You can do this up to 2 times every 24 hours.

Lexie Clark 0 Reputation points

2026-09-11T09:33:49.1866667+00:00

Hi, I have tried using a different email and it still didn't work. How do i know if the 2 step authentication is turned on?
GsN5034 - IA 76,475 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-11T09:47:03.0633333+00:00

Hi,

If two-factor authentication is turned ON, you will be asked to verify your identity using two methods. That is, after entering your Password, you will be asked to verify your identity using one of the recovery methods such as Phone number or email address.

If two-factor isn't turned on, your password alone is enough to sign in to your account.
Lexie Clark 0 Reputation points

2026-09-11T09:49:36.9966667+00:00

hi- I am only given the option for password, not phone number, so that should mean the 2 - factor isn't turned on. How can I proceed to regain access to my email account?
GsN5034 - IA 76,475 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-11T09:50:35.1133333+00:00

Hi,

What is the exact error message you receive during sign-in?

Is your account blocked?
Lexie Clark 0 Reputation points

2026-09-11T09:52:19.2933333+00:00

Help us secure your account

We have detected unusual activity on your Microsoft account ******@hotmail.com, or believe your credentials are at risk.

For your security and to ensure only you have access to your account, we will ask you to verify your identity and change your password.

Blocked I think?
GsN5034 - IA 76,475 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-11T10:23:25.7766667+00:00

Hi,

Yes, your account has been blocked due to unusual activity.

Open this link in a private browsing tab, then try resetting your password.

See if you can get the verification code to reset your password.

https://account.live.com/ResetPassword.aspx

Alternatively, you can submit the account reinstatement form to the Microsoft Digital Safety team here. The team will review your response and get back to you within 24 hours.

https://www.microsoft.com/digitalsafety/account-reinstatement

Select "I am getting an error that my account has been temporarily blocked." and submit the form.
Lexie Clark 0 Reputation points

2026-09-11T10:55:21.66+00:00

Hi- thank you for these! I have tried to reset my password but I don't even have the option to, it just takes me straight to the forms I have already completed.

I have submitted an account reinstatement so hopefully that will work. Is there anything else that could work?

Many thanks.
GsN5034 - IA 76,475 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-11T15:26:38.3833333+00:00

Hello,

If you are taken directly to the account recovery form, it likely means that you did not add a recovery email address or phone number to verify your identity.

In the meantime, continue submitting the account recovery form. If the Microsoft account recovery team responds, they will send you instructions on how to regain access to your account.

For now, you will need to wait for a recovery email from Microsoft. This is the only available option.