Update your recovery method to keep signing in

Update or verify your Microsoft account security information from the account’s Security page; the reminder can be postponed for 24 hours at a time, but after seven days you must complete it to continue signing in.^1^

Update the recovery method

Instead of following a link in an email or unexpected webpage:

1. Open the Microsoft account Security page by signing in at account.microsoft.com, then select Security. The dashboard is where personal Outlook.com accounts manage sign-in verification settings.^2^
2. Select Manage how I sign in.
3. Select Add a new way to sign in or verify.
4. Choose an available method, such as:
   • Recovery email
   • Microsoft Authenticator
   • Passkey
5. Enter the code sent to the new recovery method and select Next.
6. After the new method works, remove any obsolete phone number or email address that you can no longer access.

Microsoft may not offer a new phone-number option on every personal account; use one of the methods displayed on your page.^3^

If you cannot access the existing recovery information

• You can access at least one existing method: Sign in with it, add and verify the new method first, and then schedule removal of the obsolete method.
• You cannot access any listed method: At Verify your identity, select I don’t have any of these, then follow the prompts to replace the security information. Replacing all security information starts a 30-day waiting period before you can sign in with the replacement information.^1^
• A method says “Scheduled for removal”: It remains usable until the displayed removal date. If you did not request the change, select Cancel removal, remove any verification methods you do not recognize, and secure the account.^4^

If verification codes do not arrive, avoid repeatedly requesting them because excessive requests can cause a temporary block. Try another listed method or use Microsoft’s sign-in helper; support agents cannot send verification codes or directly change account details.^1^

References

1. Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues | Microsoft Support
2. What is a Microsoft account? | Microsoft Support
3. Microsoft account security info & verification codes | Microsoft Support
4. What does 'Scheduled for removal' mean? | Microsoft Support