I can't log in with my Hotmail account

Ian Cova 0 Reputation points
2026-11-05T10:03:54.84+00:00

I have a problem with one of my Hotmail accounts and it is that when I log in (I enter the email and the password) I get a message which says "An unusual activity was detected" so it asks me to verify my identity, I press next and it asks me to put the last 4 digits of my cell phone number associated with my account (I still have access to that number and I have proof that I received the SMS with the previous security codes) at the moment of pressing next in this step it appears that "try another verification method because that one is not available at that time" only that it is the only verification method I have in my account (I don't have another one) and I find it very strange and stressful because I have been more than a week and it still does not let me log in and I see the same error of "try another verification method because that one is not available"

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  1. Vikki-T 13,230 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-11-05T14:19:19.76+00:00

    Hi Ian Cova,

    I understand how stressful this must be, especially since you still have access to the phone number but Microsoft is not allowing that verification method.

    Since the general troubleshooting steps have already been covered, the key detail is whether two-step verification was enabled on the account. If it was not enabled, please try the Microsoft Account Sign-in Helper first: Microsoft Account Sign-in Helper.

    If two-step verification was enabled and this phone number is the only verification method available, the recovery form may not be able to bypass that security requirement. For privacy and security reasons, Microsoft Support agents also cannot manually send a verification code, bypass the identity check, or change the account’s security information.

    You may still contact Microsoft Support so they can review the sign-in flow and confirm whether any supported option remains. When contacting them, explain that you still own the registered phone number, previously received codes on it, but the system now reports that the method is unavailable.

    Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators, contributors including external Microsoft employees cannot directly intervene in Microsoft product features or access back-end systems. My role is limited to providing technical guidance on reported issues, requests, or ideas.

    I know this isn't the news you were hoping for, but I wanted to make sure you got the most accurate information about your situation. Thank you so much for your understanding.     

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-11-05T10:04:15.0066667+00:00

    This usually means the account is temporarily blocked from using that verification method because Microsoft detected unusual activity or too many verification attempts.

    Since SMS is the only method on the account, the supported steps are:

    1. Stop repeated sign-in and code requests. Repeated attempts can reset the temporary block and keep SMS unavailable longer.
    2. Try a different network. Switch between Wi‑Fi and mobile data, or use a different Wi‑Fi network.
    3. Try again from a usual device or usual location. Microsoft may block sign-in from a new device, new app, or new location. If available, sign in from a device normally used with that account.
    4. Wait before trying again. Microsoft states that waiting a day can remove a block, and in some cases it can take longer, up to 1 week. Since this has already been more than a week, avoid repeated retries during the waiting period and then test again once.
    5. If the account is Outlook.com/Hotmail, try the unblock flow by resetting the password. If the account was temporarily blocked because of unusual sign-in activity, resetting the password is the documented way to unblock it.
    6. If SMS still cannot be used and there is no other security method, use the account recovery form. This is the supported path when the password is forgotten or access to security verification is not available.
    7. If sign-in succeeds later, immediately add another verification method on the Security basics page so the account is not dependent on a single phone number.

    If there was no travel, no new device, and no new app, review account activity after access is restored:

    • Open the Security basics page.
    • Select Review activity.
    • If any sign-in was not recognized, select This wasn't me or Secure your account.
    • Change the password.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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