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If the sign-in now says the account does not exist, and verification prompts are going to an unknown address, the account was likely compromised and the sign-in details were changed.
Recommended path:
- Run a full malware scan on the PC before changing or recovering anything.
- Open Windows Security.
- Go to Virus and threat protection.
- Select Scan options > Full scan > Scan now.
- Use the Microsoft account recovery path for compromised accounts.
- Start with the hacked account recovery flow.
- If the sign-in page says "We couldn't find an account with that username" or "account doesn't exist", use the Sign-in Helper tool.
- Complete the Microsoft account recovery form.
- Use a device previously used to sign in to that account.
- Submit it from a location commonly used before, such as home or office.
- Gather any saved passwords from Edge, Windows Credential Manager, Chrome, Mac Keychain, or iCloud Keychain if available, and provide as much accurate information as possible.
- If an unusual sign-in alert was received and access is still possible anywhere, go to Security basics and review recent activity.
- Select Review activity.
- For suspicious entries, choose This wasn't me or Secure your account.
- Then change the password.
Important limits:
- If two-step verification was turned on and none of the alternate verification methods are accessible, support agents cannot send password reset links or change account details.
- If the account has not been signed in to for more than two years, it may have been deleted and cannot be reopened.
- If the recovery flow is unsuccessful after the sign-in alias or verification methods were changed, recovery may not be possible.
If contact with support is needed, Microsoft support can route the case, but account recovery itself remains an automated process and support agents cannot directly reset the account details.
- How to recover a hacked or compromised Microsoft account
- I can't sign in to my Microsoft account
- Help with the Microsoft account recovery form
- What happens if there's an unusual sign-in to your account
- Can I trust email from the Microsoft account team?
- Microsoft account hacked, sign-in alias changed, account now says it doesn't exist - Microsoft Q&A