Microsoft account-cant login because id doesn't exist, but can't add/create it, because it is already an existing account??

Question

Microsoft account-cant login because id doesn't exist, but can't add/create it, because it is already an existing account??

Jeff Gohlke 0

I have a Microsoft account. when I try to login, I get the message that the account can not be found. When I try to add or create my account, I get the message that says the account can not be created because it already exists??

So, what do I do now?? Everything I have for the last many, many, many years is in that account and email ([Removed PII]@Hotmail.Com).

Thanks for any help

Jeff Gohlke

Locked Question. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

Jeff Gohlke 0 Reputation points

2026-02-20T01:35:28.87+00:00

AI bot replied:

It sounds like you're experiencing a common issue with Microsoft accounts where the system cannot locate your account, but also indicates that it already exists. Here are some steps you can take to resolve this: Check for Typos: Ensure that you are entering your email address correctly, including any capitalization. Use the Account Recovery Page: Go to the Microsoft account recovery page and follow the prompts to recover your account. This may involve verifying your identity through a secondary email or phone number associated with the account. Try Different Sign-In Methods: If you have previously linked your account to a Microsoft service (like Xbox or Office), try signing in through those services to see if you can access your account that way. Contact Microsoft Support: If the above steps do not work, it may be best to contact Microsoft support directly for assistance. They can help you verify your identity and regain access to your account. Check for Multiple Accounts: Sometimes, users have multiple Microsoft accounts and may inadvertently be trying to access the wrong one. Make sure you are using the correct credentials for the account you are trying to access.

I already tried, several times, all of the above AI generated response. I have no way of contacting Microsoft as they no longer accept e-mails. So, I really do not know what to do next!!
Hornblower409 16,350 Reputation points

2026-02-20T15:28:30.52+00:00

@Jeff Gohlke said

I have no way of contacting Microsoft as they no longer accept e-mails.

Try Chat Support

You must have a working Microsoft email account to use Chat or any other Support Services. If you can not logon with your current account, create a new, temporary one at https://signup.live.com

Open a browser to https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/home/contact

Tell us your problem: "Account Not Found" [Get Help] {Scroll down to the bottom of the page} [Sign in to Contact Support] Sign in with any Microsoft account Products and services: "Other Products" Category: "Manage Account Security" [Confirm] Choose a support option -> "Chat with a support agent in your web browser"
Knightoro 0 Reputation points

2026-10-04T13:15:12.7833333+00:00

I tried to login to my microsoft account but it says that it doesnt exist and when i tried to recover, it also says that it cant recognize the microsoft account. This happened after I join a discord server and do the verfication with my microsoft account and put the code to verify.
JuliaMarvin 23,010 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-10-04T13:54:29.5933333+00:00

@Knightoro
Please start your own thread. Do not resurrect old threads.

Answer recommended by moderator

Estrella721 46,550 Independent Advisor

Hi,

The error message saying 'The account does not exist' usually appears when you enter an incorrect username or email address, the account has been compromised, or you haven’t signed in to your account for more than two years.

When was the last time you successfully logged in to this account?
Did you make sure you entered the correct email address?
Have you noticed any unusual activity on your account recently?

Please note that if your email account ends in @hotmail, @outlook, @live, or @msn and was removed, replaced, or deleted due to inactivity, it cannot be used to create a new account. See "Remove an email address" section here: https://support.microsoft.com/office/add-or-remove-an-email-alias-in-outlook-com-459b1989-356d-40fa-a689-8f285b13f1f2

Jeff Gohlke 5 Reputation points

2026-02-23T11:10:02.3766667+00:00

1st off - YES, i have used this account every day since Hotmail.Com was made (way before Outlook)

so - after working 3 days - this is what I did! Made 2 other e-mail accounts on different e-mail applications. my old MS account that I could not get into has/had my mobile phone as a contact. so, I went somewhere that asked for a sign in, put in the broken account and clicked "Forgot Password". this sent a security message to my phone, (ok - part 1), then said it was not enough and sent a message to one of the other e-mail accounts, (ok - part 2), and then sometimes wanted to send another code to whatsapp, or another email account somewhere... anyway, after several tries at coordinating all the phones and e-mail accounts - I completed the task and got back into my MS account. Thank you all for looking (and listening)

1 additional answer

Jeff Gohlke 0 Reputation points

2026-02-20T01:35:28.87+00:00

AI bot replied:

It sounds like you're experiencing a common issue with Microsoft accounts where the system cannot locate your account, but also indicates that it already exists. Here are some steps you can take to resolve this: Check for Typos: Ensure that you are entering your email address correctly, including any capitalization. Use the Account Recovery Page: Go to the Microsoft account recovery page and follow the prompts to recover your account. This may involve verifying your identity through a secondary email or phone number associated with the account. Try Different Sign-In Methods: If you have previously linked your account to a Microsoft service (like Xbox or Office), try signing in through those services to see if you can access your account that way. Contact Microsoft Support: If the above steps do not work, it may be best to contact Microsoft support directly for assistance. They can help you verify your identity and regain access to your account. Check for Multiple Accounts: Sometimes, users have multiple Microsoft accounts and may inadvertently be trying to access the wrong one. Make sure you are using the correct credentials for the account you are trying to access.

I already tried, several times, all of the above AI generated response. I have no way of contacting Microsoft as they no longer accept e-mails. So, I really do not know what to do next!!
Hornblower409 16,350 Reputation points

2026-02-20T15:28:30.52+00:00

@Jeff Gohlke said

I have no way of contacting Microsoft as they no longer accept e-mails.

Try Chat Support

You must have a working Microsoft email account to use Chat or any other Support Services. If you can not logon with your current account, create a new, temporary one at https://signup.live.com

Open a browser to https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/home/contact

Tell us your problem: "Account Not Found" [Get Help] {Scroll down to the bottom of the page} [Sign in to Contact Support] Sign in with any Microsoft account Products and services: "Other Products" Category: "Manage Account Security" [Confirm] Choose a support option -> "Chat with a support agent in your web browser"
Knightoro 0 Reputation points

2026-10-04T13:15:12.7833333+00:00

I tried to login to my microsoft account but it says that it doesnt exist and when i tried to recover, it also says that it cant recognize the microsoft account. This happened after I join a discord server and do the verfication with my microsoft account and put the code to verify.
JuliaMarvin 23,010 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-10-04T13:54:29.5933333+00:00

@Knightoro
Please start your own thread. Do not resurrect old threads.
Jeff Gohlke 5 Reputation points

2026-02-23T11:10:02.3766667+00:00

1st off - YES, i have used this account every day since Hotmail.Com was made (way before Outlook)

so - after working 3 days - this is what I did! Made 2 other e-mail accounts on different e-mail applications. my old MS account that I could not get into has/had my mobile phone as a contact. so, I went somewhere that asked for a sign in, put in the broken account and clicked "Forgot Password". this sent a security message to my phone, (ok - part 1), then said it was not enough and sent a message to one of the other e-mail accounts, (ok - part 2), and then sometimes wanted to send another code to whatsapp, or another email account somewhere... anyway, after several tries at coordinating all the phones and e-mail accounts - I completed the task and got back into my MS account. Thank you all for looking (and listening)

Answer 1

It sounds like you're experiencing a common issue with Microsoft accounts where the system cannot locate your account, but also indicates that it already exists. Here are some steps you can take to resolve this:

Check for Typos: Ensure that you are entering your email address correctly, including any capitalization.
Use the Account Recovery Page: Go to the Microsoft account recovery page and follow the prompts to recover your account. This may involve verifying your identity through a secondary email or phone number associated with the account.
Try Different Sign-In Methods: If you have previously linked your account to a Microsoft service (like Xbox or Office), try signing in through those services to see if you can access your account that way.
Contact Microsoft Support: If the above steps do not work, it may be best to contact Microsoft support directly for assistance. They can help you verify your identity and regain access to your account.
Check for Multiple Accounts: Sometimes, users have multiple Microsoft accounts and may inadvertently be trying to access the wrong one. Make sure you are using the correct credentials for the account you are trying to access.

Following these steps should help you regain access to your account.

References: