Cant receive verification code

Question

I tried to add my wife’s login to my laptop with windows 11, it said it will send verification code to my wife’s email, but I never received it. I tried to use her email, mobile phone to receive the code, but the problem persists. I also try to install Microsoft authenticator apps from her iphone, but we still cant receive the verification code. We have checked the junk mail box.

What might be the problem?

Answer 1

Hi Terry!

Good Day! This is Aeron, an Independent Advisor. Thanks for reaching out to the Microsoft Forum Community.

Thanks for the detailed info that helps narrow it down. Based on what you’ve described, it sounds like you're trying to add your wife's Microsoft account as a user on your Windows 11 PC, and the verification code used for Microsoft account sign-in or identity confirmation is not arriving via email, SMS, or the Microsoft Authenticator app. Here are the most likely causes and what to do about them:

1. Microsoft Account Security Info Is Outdated

If your wife’s Microsoft account security settings list old or incorrect email/phone numbers, the verification code will not be delivered correctly.

~Check this:

Go to https://account.microsoft.com and sign in with your wife's credentials on a device where she is already logged in (e.g., her iPhone).

Go to "Security" > "Advanced Security Options".

Under "Ways to prove who you are", check that her current phone number and email are listed and verified.

If they are not, add/verify them.

2. Blocked or Delayed Emails from Microsoft

Sometimes Microsoft’s automated emails get blocked or delayed:

`Add no-reply@microsoft.com and security-noreply@microsoft.com to the "safe senders" list in her email settings.

`If she uses Gmail, check under "All Mail", "Promotions", or "Social" tabs.

`If it's a corporate or school email, the domain might block Microsoft messages check with the IT department or try using a personal email address instead.

3. Authenticator App Not Yet Linked to the Account

Installing the Microsoft Authenticator app is not enough you must link it properly:

~Steps:

Sign in to https://aka.ms/mfasetup using her account (on a device where she's already signed in).

Add the Microsoft Authenticator app as a sign-in method (scan QR code).

Approve the notification inside the app.

Retry logging in from your laptop.

4. Microsoft’s Servers/Account Glitch

Occasionally, Microsoft has temporary verification service outages or account-specific glitches.

Try:

Restarting the PC and trying again.

Waiting 30–60 minutes and retrying (especially if you've tried too many times in a row).

~~Workaround: Add Her Without Verification (Local Account)

If you're trying to add her as a user and just want her to log in on the laptop:

Go to Settings > Accounts > Other users > Add account.

Click “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information”.

Click “Add a user without a Microsoft account”.

Create a local account with a username and password.

Later, she can log in and link her Microsoft account from Settings > Accounts > Your info.

This bypasses the verification entirely — helpful if you're just trying to set up access for now.

If none of these work and you're confident the account info is correct, I recommend contacting Microsoft Support directly here:

--https://support.microsoft.com/contactus

Regards,

Aeron C.

Independent Advisor

Answer 2

Many thanks! Problem solved using method 3.