Unable to Receive OTP/Verification Emails in Microsoft 365 - Worked Fine Until 2 Weeks Ago

Question

Question:

I have a critical issue with my Microsoft 365 email account (**remove PII) that started exactly 2 weeks ago. I have suddenly stopped receiving all automated emails including OTP verification codes, password reset emails, and account verification emails from various services. Regular emails from people work perfectly fine.

My Setup:

• Microsoft 365 Business Account
• Company domain: remove PII
• Issue started: ~2 weeks ago (previously worked perfectly)
• Affected: Only automated emails (OTPs, verifications, system notifications)
• Working fine: Regular person-to-person emails

What I've Already Tried:

✅ Checked ALL folders (Inbox, Junk, Deleted Items, Archive, Other tab)

✅ Verified safe/blocked senders lists (clean)

✅ Tested multiple browsers (Chrome, Edge)

✅ Tried different networks + VPN

✅ Tested from different devices

✅ Checked Focused Inbox settings (both tabs)

✅ Added common automated domains to safe senders

✅ Verified all message handling settings

✅ No email rules or filters active

Current Status:

• Junk folder: Empty
• Deleted items: Empty
• Safe senders: Configured properly
• No blocked domains
• All settings appear normal

What I Suspect: Since this worked perfectly until exactly 2 weeks ago and only affects automated emails, I believe there might be:

1. Server-side filtering changes on my account
2. Updated security policies (ATP/anti-phishing)
3. Organization-level mail flow rule changes
4. Microsoft Defender settings blocking legitimate emails

My Question: How can I identify and resolve server-side filtering that's blocking automated emails? I don't have admin access to check organization-level policies. This is severely impacting my work as I cannot access services requiring email verification.

Additional Info:

• No admin access to Microsoft 365 admin center
• Organization IT may not be immediately available
• Need solution that works at user account level
• Willing to provide additional diagnostics if needed

Has anyone experienced similar issues with Microsoft 365 suddenly blocking automated emails? What solved it for you?

Answer 1

All help offered by the Q&A have not resolved my problem. I am unable to log into other websites/platforms that use my outlook email address as the username because several now have an extra layer of security and will not allow me to login with my username and password alone - they email a security code to my outlook email. These emails never hit my outlook where I can see them even after I ensure that I have added the correct email addresses to the safe senders list.

This problem started mid June 2025 for me. I was not having this problem before that and I did not make any changes to my outlook settings UNTIL AFTER the problem started and those changes I have made were to try to resolve the problem.

Microsoft needs to fix this problem. How do I call in to talk to an actual person with Microsoft to try to resolve this problem?

Answer 2

the problem never been fix always get try another method on my number and a know my number is ok it is the back of microsoft disgusting there never help should b put there heads to shame as there mess up big time

Answer 3

Dear @Ayaz Ahemed,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.

I truly appreciate for the detailed breakdown of your issue with Microsoft 365 not receiving automated emails like OTPs and verification codes. Based on your setup and the extensive troubleshooting you've already done, there are still a few things you can do at the user level to help surface and potentially resolve the issue.

Option 1: Add a new way to sign in

For reference: Microsoft account security info & verification codes

Option 2: Troubleshooting verification code issues

For reference: Troubleshooting verification code issues

Option 3: Contact Admin - Raise Support Ticket to Microsoft Support

In this case, as forum moderators, we don't have access to the backend systems to effectively fix this due to privacy and security restrictions. We are just organizing use cases and collecting data, including from you, on a daily basis and will continue to monitor the progress of this issue. 

For this reason, the most efficient solution would be to reach out to your admin to report this issue or create a support ticket from Microsoft Support to get confirmation about this technical issue. And the related supported team will further help; then you will get a more detailed and professional answer to your query there.       

I hope this information is helpful. Please follow these steps and let me know if it works for you. If not, we can work together to resolve this.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

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