my email account disappeared

A missing saved address on the sign-in screen does not by itself mean the account disappeared; select Use another account or Sign-in options, enter the full Outlook.com/Hotmail/Live/MSN address manually, and continue.

If manual sign-in works

The account is still accessible; only the remembered sign-in entry was removed from that browser, app, or device. Complete the sign-in and allow the device or browser to remember the account again if prompted.

If the address is not accepted

1. Check the exact address and domain, including endings such as .com versus .co.uk.
2. If the account has another email alias, linked phone number, or Skype name, try signing in with that identifier instead.
3. Request a security code and complete account recovery. Microsoft’s recovery process then lets you set a new password.^1^

If the exact message becomes “We couldn't find an account with that username”, use the Contact support option on that same Microsoft Support page and tell the support advocate that the username has stopped working.^1^

Find the account address on another signed-in device

If the address is uncertain, check places where the account may still be connected:

• Windows 10/11: Start → Settings → Accounts → Email & app accounts
• Office 2016 or later: Open Word or Excel, then select File → Account and check Belongs to
• Search other email accounts for Microsoft purchase, subscription, or security messages.
• Try any alternate email address previously added to the Microsoft account.

Microsoft documents these locations as ways to identify the username associated with an existing account.^2^

Do not post the email address, password, verification codes, or recovery information publicly.

References

1. My username and password have stopped working | Microsoft Support
2. Check products or services where you used your Microsoft account | Microsoft Support