Lost all access to my Microsoft 365 account

Question

Lost all access to my Microsoft 365 account

Charles Richardson 0

Hi-

Apologies if this is the incorrect forum for this, but searching for the correct support channel has been challenging.

I created for Microsoft 365 for business account yesterday and created users etc. Unfortunately, I completely forgot the password to my account nor did I setup an Global Administrator (or didnt do it correctly) or complete the password reset setup steps. Now, I cannot gain access as it says my account is locked but no one can unlock it since I do not have the admin setup correctly.

Every help article and support I find tells me to navigate to admin.microsoft.com, but I cannot login to fix anything for my passwords. What are my options here? I cant even cancel my subscription and start over because I cannot get into my account. My user name is [Moderator note: Personally Identifiable Information removed]@carrowsolutions.com

Thank you

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2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Because no other administrator or registered password-reset method is available, try the work-account reset wizard once, then contact Microsoft 365 business support by phone and request sole Global Administrator tenant recovery.

1. Make one self-service recovery attempt

Stop repeated sign-in attempts until the temporary lockout clears; repeated attempts can extend or trigger additional sign-in blocking.^1^
Open https://passwordreset.microsoftonline.com.
Enter the work account created when purchasing Microsoft 365 Business, not a personal Microsoft account.
Complete the wizard if it recognizes usable alternate contact information.
If recovery fails, wait briefly on the final page—the wizard may display an option to contact Support.^2^

Because password-reset security information was not configured, this check may report that it cannot verify the account. Self-service recovery requires previously registered alternate contact information.^3^

2. Request tenant recovery without signing in

Use Microsoft’s country/region business-support numbers listed here: ^4^

When prompted by the automated system, state:

Product: Microsoft 365 for business
Issue: Administrator account locked; forgotten password
Administrator status: Sole Global Administrator
Other administrators: None
Request: Create a service request for tenant administrator recovery
Billing impact: Unable to manage or cancel the subscription

Have these details ready:

Tenant/business name and custom domain
The administrator sign-in name
Purchase date, subscription, order/invoice information, and payment details
A working external email address and telephone number
Any tenant information received during signup

Microsoft’s business-support documentation says administrators should have account details ready. Phone support can require PIN verification through contact information registered in the organization profile, so explain immediately if those details were never configured.^5^

A sole administrator who cannot use self-service recovery and has no other administrator is a tenant-recovery case. A closely matching Microsoft Q&A resolution directs Support to create a case under the affected tenant and transfer it to the appropriate account-protection team.^6^

Support must verify ownership; agents are not permitted simply to send a password-reset link or change account details without that process.[^7^](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID] "Microsoft 365 for business")

Subscription cancellation is a separate request

Tell the same support agent that the locked tenant also prevents cancellation and ask that the ticket include billing/subscription cancellation. Microsoft 365 for business provides billing and subscription assistance by phone; admin-center access is therefore not the only escalation route.^5^

Do not create another paid subscription merely to replace the locked tenant. If telephone support cannot open the recovery case, a documented workaround from matching Q&A cases is to create a temporary Microsoft 365 trial tenant, sign in to its admin center, and use Help & support → Contact Support to open a case for the original tenant. Cancel the trial afterward to avoid renewal.^8^

After access is restored

Register alternate email, phone, and MFA recovery methods.
Create at least one additional Global Administrator with distinct credentials and authentication methods.
Create and securely monitor an emergency-access account. Microsoft recommends administrator redundancy to prevent complete tenant lockout.^9^

References

Answer 2

Hi Charles Richardson,

Thank you for reaching out.

When you create a new Microsoft 365 business tenant, the account used during the setup process is generally assigned the Global Administrator role automatically. Therefore, your account may already be the Global Administrator, but the account lock is preventing you from accessing the Microsoft 365 admin center and using the available recovery options.

Since there is no other administrator who can unlock the account or reset the password, you will need to contact Microsoft Support regional hotline at Contact Microsoft customer support | Microsoft Support.

When contacting Microsoft, be prepared to verify ownership of the subscription. You may be asked for information such as:

Organization name
Billing or payment information
Registered phone number
Alternate email address

Once your identity is verified, the privacy team will be able to reset your password. You can then access your account in the Microsoft 365 admin center.

Tips for navigating the IVR:

In some countries, an automated voice system is used. Example of a dialogue:

IVR: What problem is bothering you?
Client: Lost access to the only admin account
IVR: What product do you use?
Customer: Office 365 for business
IVR: School or Business Account?
Client: Companies
IVR: Are you an administrator?
Client: Yes
IVR: Is there another administrator in your organization?
Client: No. I am the only admin in my tenant
IVR: Do you need to create a support ticket?
Client: Yes. I need to create a ticket. Please send me direct to the Data Protection Teams.

I also recommend calling during business hours. In my experience, it can be difficult to get through to the correct support queue, and automated systems don't always work as expected. If you can't get through on your first try, I suggest trying again later or at a different time.

I hope this helps point you in the right direction. If you have any updates or additional questions, feel free to reply back and I'll do my best to assist further.

Best regards,