Managing personal Outlook.com account settings, security, and privacy
Because access to the old phone number and authenticator method is gone, the supported recovery path is to use Microsoft’s account recovery and sign-in tools.
- Start with the Sign-in Helper tool. It can identify account issues and either provide self-help steps or offer the option to talk to an agent.
- If the account name is not recognized or sign-in keeps failing, verify the exact sign-in address:
- Check the correct email domain, such as .com vs .co.uk.
- Check for spelling differences in the account name.
- If another alias or phone number was added to the account, try that instead.
- If the password is correct but sign-in still fails, use Recover your account and complete the reset flow:
- Enter the email address, phone number, or Skype name used to sign in.
- Choose where to receive the security code.
- Enter the code, then set a new password.
- If the recovery form was already rejected for “not enough information,” improve the next submission before sending it again:
- Use a working email address that can receive Microsoft’s reply.
- Fill in as much accurate account information as possible.
- Review the guidance for the Microsoft account recovery form first.
- If two-step verification is enabled and none of the alternate verification methods are accessible, support agents cannot send password reset links or change account details. In that case, the available path is the automated recovery options and sign-in helper.
- If the account may have been compromised, first run a full antivirus scan on the PC, then change or reset the password, and after recovery check connected accounts, forwarding, and automatic replies.
- If the account has not been signed in to for more than two years, it may have been deleted and can no longer be reopened.
Useful entry points from Microsoft:
- Sign-in Helper: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2214157
- Recover your account: https://account.live.com/password/reset
- Account recovery form guidance: https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/manage/help-with-the-microsoft-account-recovery-form
- Contact support if the username has stopped working: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2273600