Question about email password problems

At the verification screen, select I don’t have any of these and follow the prompts to replace the old phone number with security information you can access.

Replace the old phone number

1. Start signing in with the full Outlook.com email address and known password.
2. At Verify your identity, look for I don’t have any of these, I can’t access this security information, or Try another way.
3. If another working verification method is listed—such as a recovery email—use it.
4. Otherwise, choose I don’t have any of these and enter a current email address or other requested security information.
5. Complete the identity and account-recovery questions as accurately as possible. Microsoft specifically directs users who have lost access to all security information through this replacement/recovery process.^1^

Do not repeatedly request codes for the inaccessible number; repeated attempts can cause a temporary block.

Because the last sign-in was in 2016

Microsoft generally requires a personal Microsoft account to be used at least once every two years, although exceptions can keep an account active—for example, certain purchases, active subscriptions, balances, certifications, or family-account circumstances.^2^

• If Microsoft still accepts the address and password and then displays the verification screen, continue with the security-information replacement process above.
• If it reports that the account does not exist or cannot be found, the account might have been deleted for inactivity and cannot be reopened.^3^
• Carefully check the complete address and domain, such as @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, or a country-specific domain such as .co.uk.

If the replacement option is unavailable

Use Microsoft’s Sign-in Helper from the support page to check the account and receive the recovery options available for it.^4^

Microsoft Support cannot send the verification code to a new number, change account details, or manually grant access. Recovery must succeed through the automated verification process.^1^

If access is restored, immediately open the Microsoft account Security tab, select Manage how I sign in, and add a current recovery email, Microsoft Authenticator, or passkey before removing obsolete information.^5^

References

1. Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues | Microsoft Support
2. Microsoft account activity policy | Microsoft Support
3. Reopen your Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
4. I can't sign in to my Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
5. Microsoft account security info & verification codes | Microsoft Support