Microsoft 365 features that help users manage their subscriptions, account settings, and billing information.
If the password is known but the sign-in is blocked because the verification codes cannot be accessed, the supported recovery path is to replace the security info during sign-in:
- Start signing in to the Microsoft account.
- At the Verify your identity prompt, select I don't have any of these.
- Follow the prompts to replace the security info.
- After the security info is replaced, there is a 30-day wait before sign-in is allowed.
Important details for this situation:
- If access exists to some security info, sign in to Advanced security options, add a new way to sign in or verify, confirm it with a code, then remove the old security method that is no longer accessible.
- Do not change all security info at the same time unless necessary, because the account may be restricted for 30 days.
- If verification codes are not arriving, avoid excessive or repeated code requests because that can temporarily block code delivery.
- If the account is temporarily blocked due to unusual sign-in activity, the account must be unblocked by resetting the password.
- If the username is not recognized, check the exact email domain such as .com vs .co.uk, check spelling, and try any other alias or phone number that may be on the account.
- If a recovery code was created previously, it can be used during sign-in by choosing Other ways to sign in → Use my password → Forgot password? → Use a different verification option → I don't have any of these → enter the 25-digit recovery code.
If none of the security methods are accessible and the account recovery request has already failed, the remaining supported option is to use the Microsoft account sign-in helper and, if the username still is not recognized, contact support through the support path referenced in the account recovery guidance.
References:
- I can't sign in to my Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
- Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues | Microsoft Support
- Unblock my Outlook.com account | Microsoft Support
- My username and password have stopped working | Microsoft Support
- How to get a Microsoft account recovery code | Microsoft Support