Reset and unblock the Microsoft account first; after access is restored, add a working verification method and a new passkey before removing the unusable ones.
1. Recover or unblock the account
- Open Microsoft’s Sign-in Helper.
- Enter the Outlook.com address you are trying to recover.
- Follow the result shown for that account. The helper identifies password, verification-code, and account-status problems and directs you to the appropriate recovery action ^1^.
- If the account explicitly says it is locked, sign in at https://account.microsoft.com and complete the displayed unlock procedure. If the window provides a link beginning with
aka.ms/, use that specific link to submit an account-reinstatement request. Do not submit duplicate reinstatement requests while it is being reviewed ^2^.
- If Outlook.com instead offers to unblock the account by resetting its password, complete that reset and enter the security code sent to an available verification method ^3^.
Do not post the email address, password, passkey, recovery code, or other private account information in this public forum.
2. If the recovery email cannot receive the code
If the recovery address is itself another locked Outlook.com account, recover that account separately using the same Sign-in Helper. If it cannot be recovered first, use another verification method offered on the reset screen.
If no listed phone number or email is accessible:
- Complete the Microsoft account recovery form using a different working email address where Microsoft can contact you. It can be another account you own or, with permission, an address belonging to a trusted relative or friend.
- Submit it from a device and location previously used with the affected account.
- Include old passwords, exact Outlook email subject lines, frequent contacts, and any applicable Skype, Xbox, or Microsoft purchase information.
- Microsoft sends the result to the working contact address within 24 hours. If verification fails, the form can be submitted up to twice per day ^4^.
If two-step verification was enabled and none of its alternate verification methods remains accessible, Microsoft states that support cannot bypass those methods or manually change the account details ^4^.
3. Replace the passkey only after signing in
Once account access is restored:
- Open https://account.live.com/proofs/manage.
- Add a new working security or sign-in method first.
- Create and test the replacement passkey.
- Expand the old passkey entry and select Remove. Do not remove the existing passkey until another working method has been added ^5^.
- If the old passkey is stored locally on Windows 11, also open Settings → Accounts → Passkeys, select the menu beside it, and choose Delete passkey ^5^.
If Microsoft says the passkey is no longer valid, select another offered sign-in method, create a new passkey, and then delete the obsolete passkey from the account or credential manager ^6^.
Microsoft support representatives cannot directly disclose passwords, manually unlock the mailbox, or alter its security information without completion of the applicable automated recovery or reinstatement process.
References
- I can't sign in to my Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
- Microsoft account has been locked | Microsoft Support
- Unblock my Outlook.com account | Microsoft Support
- Help with the Microsoft account recovery form | Microsoft Support
- [Personal](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/security/manage-your-saved-passkeys)
- Troubleshoot signing in with a passkey | Microsoft Support