Urgent, Uni assessment due yesterday could not submit due to microsoft and cannot get in contact with anyone.

Free enough Outlook.com or OneDrive storage immediately to restore sending/uploading, then submit the assignment while Microsoft Support investigates the repeated PaymentInstrumentNotFound billing failure.

Restore access without waiting for payment

A full Microsoft cloud-storage quota blocks new OneDrive uploads and can also block Outlook.com email; existing OneDrive files become read-only. Reducing usage below the quota is therefore the quickest payment-independent workaround.^1^

1. In Outlook.com, open Settings → Account → Storage.
2. Identify the largest folders and permanently delete unneeded messages.
3. Empty Deleted Items. Items there still count toward the mailbox quota.
4. Sort mail using Filter → Sort by → Size, then remove messages with large attachments.
5. If OneDrive storage is full, delete or move unneeded large files to your computer, then empty the OneDrive recycle bin.
6. Recheck storage and retry the submission after the account drops below its quota.

If the university portal accepts local uploads, download the assignment to the device and upload it directly rather than sharing it from OneDrive. Also send the lecturer or university help desk the screenshot containing the error and UTC timestamp, requesting an alternate submission channel and an extension. Microsoft cannot change the university deadline.

Correct the past-due subscription

Do this from the subscription itself rather than repeatedly using the checkout page:

1. Sign in to Services & subscriptions with the personal Microsoft account that owns the subscription.
2. Locate Microsoft 365.
3. If its status is Past due, select Pay now.
4. Update the existing payment method or add another valid payment method, select Next, and complete payment.[^2^](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID] "Pay for a past-due Microsoft subscription | Microsoft Support")
5. Ensure the cardholder name, expiry date, CVV, billing address and postcode match the bank’s records. Complete any bank identity or anti-fraud verification prompt.^3^

A gift card, subscription card, or Microsoft account balance cannot pay an existing past-due subscription.[^2^](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID] "Pay for a past-due Microsoft subscription | Microsoft Support") Therefore, buying a retail renewal key is not the documented solution if the account specifically shows Past due.

If the page instead shows Manage → Change how you pay, select that, then choose Add a new way to pay. If it does not show Microsoft billing controls, the subscription may have been purchased through Apple, Google, Amazon, or another retailer and must be managed through that provider.[^4^](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID] "Where can I manage my Microsoft 365 subscription? | Microsoft Support")

Escalate the billing error to a live agent

Since telephone support and repeated payment attempts have already failed, use the Get Help app on Windows:

1. Open Start → Get Help.
2. Enter: PaymentInstrumentNotFound when paying past-due Microsoft 365 subscription.
3. Select Contact Support.
4. Choose Microsoft 365 and Office, then the closest Billing/subscription/payment category, and select Confirm.
5. Choose Chat with a support agent in your web browser or Have a support agent call you. Availability varies by operating hours, scenario, and subscription.^5^

Provide the agent with:

• The complete PaymentInstrumentNotFound message
• The UTC timestamp shown in the error
• Whether Services & subscriptions says Past due, Expired, or another status
• Whether the bank sees or rejects an attempted charge
• The unsuccessful payment methods and browsers/devices already tried

Do not post card details, account identifiers, or the full transaction information publicly.

References

1. Storage limits in Outlook.com | Microsoft Support
2. [Pay for a past-due Microsoft subscription | Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID])
3. Troubleshoot payment option issues | Microsoft Support
4. [Where can I manage my Microsoft 365 subscription? | Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID])
5. Get Help for Microsoft personal account users | Microsoft Support