Why is it so difficult to log in to a Microsoft account?

Question

When I attempt to log in to my Microsoft account, I often receive a message saying I need to try a different VPN. I am not using a VPN in the first place, but have to disconnect from my home wireless network and connect through a hotspot on my mobile phone to log in.

I would like to move my phone number from a defunct account to my active account, but after chatting with what I believe was an AI chat agent, I learned that I must delete the old account and wait 30 days at a minimum to make the change. In the meantime, push notifications for Microsoft Authenticator do not come to my phone.

Login failure when I am on my home network and using my correct login username and password is very frustrating. Waiting for 30 days to move my phone number and preferred email address to my active account is also very frustrating. It is hard to understand how requiring me to log in from a network other than my normal home network (provided by a major carrier) is improved security as any fraudulent attempt to login by a third party could just use a VPN connection to bypass the network check.

I would be extremely hesitant to rely on any service that required a Microsoft login because of the difficultly of completing a legitimate login. Microsoft is a major company with a stellar track record and a pool of immense talent. It is shocking to me that this simple problem cannot be solved with updated intelligence in their login procedures.

Answer 1

Hi! Sorry to hear that you are facing troubles to log into your account, please try the options below:

1. Delete cookies and cache from your browser
2. Try in a private tab in Edge and if you have a secondary alias in your account try using that one instead of the main one
3. Try to log in a different site first as Xbox.com

4.-Try to use a different networks as a mobile hotspot to test your network.

If the plan is to move an email address from one Microsoft account to a different one, you should not delete it until is already available on the new account or you will lose access to it