Trying to log into outlook.live.com e-mail account and am being asked repeatedly to "Let's prove you're human"

Question

Trying to log into outlook.live.com e-mail account and am being asked repeatedly to "Let's prove you're human"

CGB 0

For the past month, I've logged into my outlook.live.com e-mail account only to be asked to "Review recovery method". I am doing this now each time I log into my outlook.live.com e-mail account even though my recovery methods are accurate and work well. Why has this been happening? How can I confirm methods once and for all?

Also, subsequent to getting a new laptop, I'm asked to "Let's prove you're human" before I can access my e-mail. This is now happening every single time I go to log into my account? Why has this been happening?

I use the current version of Chrome for e-mail access.

Thank you -

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Answer 1

Emma1-N 14,915 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Welcome CGB,

Thank you for reaching out. I understand how annoying these repeated prompts are.

Outlook.com will occasionally prompt you to verify your account, just to make sure you're still you and your account hasn't been compromised by spammers. A new laptop counts as a new device, so you'll often see this at first. Both prompts keep coming back when Chrome doesn't save your sign-in or the confirmation you gave.

Please try these steps:

Confirm your recovery methods properly. When the pop-up appears, select "Review recovery method" and check your methods in the new tab. Then go back to the Outlook.com tab and select "Looks good." Don't just close the pop-up.
Let Chrome keep your sign-in. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies. Turn off Clear cookies and site data when you close all windows, and add [*.]live.com and [*.]microsoft.com under the allowed sites. When signing in, select "Yes" on "Stay signed in?".
Clear old data. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Delete browsing data. Choose All time > Cookies and other site data + Cached images and files > Delete data. Restart Chrome and sign in again.
Turn off any VPN and test in an Incognito window ("Ctrl" + "Shift" + "N"). If the prompts stop there, one of your extensions may be the cause.

Looking forward to your update.

Emma1-N 14,915 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-10-31T08:56:08.85+00:00

Hello CGB,

I just wanted to check if my previous response addressed your question correctly. If there is anything I may have misunderstood, I would truly appreciate it if you could provide a bit more detail to help me better understand your needs.
CGB 0 Reputation points

2026-11-01T01:09:07.47+00:00

Thank you, Emma1-N but I have done all of these things and the problem persists.

I've had the new laptop now for a month and it is ONLY my outlook.live.com e-mail account that is problematic. I'd also like to add that your advice about clearing cache / cookies is unworkable. It is good practice to clear these routinely. In fact, whenever I have a problem with a website, the first thing I'm always told to do is clear cache / cookies and re-boot. I've always done that and have never had trouble with my outlook.live.com e-mail account until recently.

Why has my account suddenly been flagged for all of these pop-ups and confirmations? The captchas are nearly impossible to decipher and absolutely nothing has been changed in my account to warrant these multiple verifications.
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Emma1-N 14,915 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-11-03T04:23:26.06+00:00
Hello CGB,

These checks don't mean anything is wrong with your account. Outlook.com will occasionally prompt you to verify your account, just to make sure you're still you and your account hasn't been compromised by spammers. Your sign-in is remembered through browser cookies, so after each cleanup your new laptop looks like an unrecognized device again.

Please try:

Keep your cleanup routine, but exclude Microsoft sign-in sites: In Chrome, go to "Settings" > "Privacy and security" > "Third-party cookies" > "Allowed to use third-party cookies". Add [*.]live.com and [*.]microsoft.com.

Use the audio option for captchas: You can listen to an audio file that states the characters if you prefer.

Add a passkey: Go to https://account.microsoft.com/security > "Manage how I sign in" so your laptop is recognized more easily.
CGB 0 Reputation points

2026-11-04T15:21:34.97+00:00

Thank you, Emma1-N but I don't think you understand the problem. These are not "occasional" checks. Each and every time now that I log into my outlook.com account, I am having to fulfill multiple steps to access my e-mail. This is a problem that appeared in two stages: One was about two months ago where I am constantly being asked to "Keep access to your account with a recovery method". I keep verifying that and it keeps asking me to do this - something that started out of the blue two months ago. The second stage has been since I got this new laptop. Again, I'm being asked every single time to receive a code on my phone, "solving puzzles"....

I don't always have my phone on or with me just to check e-mails and these steps have become really time-consuming. Why has my account be flagged like this?
Emma1-N 14,915 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-11-05T03:45:15.1066667+00:00

Hello CGB,

My apologies, I misunderstood your issue earlier. I understand now that these prompts occur every time you sign in, not occasionally.

Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators, contributors including external Microsoft employees cannot directly intervene in Microsoft product features or access back-end systems. Our role is limited to providing technical guidance on reported issues, requests, or ideas.

Please review your security information at account.microsoft.com/security, remove any outdated recovery methods, and try signing in with Microsoft Edge while ensuring Microsoft sites are allowed to save cookies. This can help the service recognize your device more consistently.
CGB 0 Reputation points

2026-11-07T23:21:26.35+00:00

Thank you Emma1-N but I've done that repeatedly. How do I escalate this to Microsoft?