How can I unblock my Outlook account when I am travelling only with my mobile and the security questions seem to want me to answer with my primary device which I left at home?

Julian Meachem 0 Reputation points
2025-09-21T02:12:38.18+00:00

I am travelling for 3 months to different countries and this has caused my Outlook to be blocked. Unfortunately my back up email was a work email and I have now left that job. I have now set up a new email to use, bur I still can't get back into my main email despite answering a whole bunch of security questions. This seem to be because I am answering on my mobile, not my primary device, a laptop which I left at home. The only security questions I wasn't able to answer confidently related to Skype, which I once subscribed to, but is now obsolete and I haven't used for years. I answered all questions about recent emails, about how I paid for a Microsoft subscription, etc. How can I convince security my account hasn't been hacked? Is it possible to actually speak to someone?

Outlook | Web | Outlook.com | Account management, security, and privacy
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  1. Emma1-N 340 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-09-22T08:05:52.95+00:00

    Dear @Julian Meachem ,

    I understand that you are currently unable to access your Microsoft account because you are traveling in different countries, and your usual backup email is no longer available. You have tried to recover your account by answering security questions, but have not been successful. I will guide you fill recovery form and contact to Microsoft support person.  

    Try following the steps in this guide again to see if it works: 

    Account has been locked – Microsoft support 

    If that doesn’t work, please fill out the recovery form again and follow the instructions carefully here: 

    Help with the Microsoft account recovery form – Microsoft support 

    Notice:  

    • Do not submit the recovery form repeatedly (takes 24-48 hours to process) 
    • Focus on the details you remember best 
    • Reach out to people you've recently emailed 
    • Prepare your answers carefully before submitting the form again 

    If Recovery form doesn't work, please fill in Microsoft-Services Account Reset  to figure out the reason why your account is locked (takes 48-72 hours to process). 

    You can also contact Microsoft Support for clearer assistance

    Contact support Microsoft 

    • Type "Locked account" --> Scroll down and click Contact Support  
    • Sign in to Contact Support --> Products and services --> Microsoft 365 and Office --> Category--> Manage Account Security --> Chat with a support agent in your web browser 

    If you need any help during the account recovery process, feel free to ask me. 


    PS: If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".     

    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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