Getting back in to my outlook account

Question

I got locked out of my outlook account when I lost my phone and can't afford to replace it. The outlook account says I need a 30 day layover to bypass the 2FA attached to my phone number, but when I try to activate it, it says the service is unvailable and to try later. I've "tried later" for the last week. What the heck can I do? It's essential I get access to this email account which I've been locked out of because I lost my phone.

Answer 1

If you're locked out of your Outlook account due to losing your phone and can't bypass the two-factor authentication (2FA), here are some steps you can take:

1. Account Recovery: Since you lost access to your primary authentication method, you may need to go through the account recovery process. This typically involves verifying your identity through other means. If you have set up alternative recovery options (like a backup email or security questions), try using those.
2. Contact Support: If you can't access your account through the usual recovery methods, consider reaching out to Microsoft support for assistance. They may be able to help you regain access to your account.
3. Wait for the 30-Day Layover: If the system indicates a 30-day layover for bypassing 2FA, you may need to wait for that period to expire. However, if the service is unavailable, keep trying periodically or check if there are any service updates from Microsoft.
4. Ask for Help from a Global Admin: If your account is part of an organization, ask a global admin in your organization to reset your Multi-Factor Authentication settings. They can follow the necessary steps to help you regain access.
5. Review Account Settings: If you have access to any other devices or accounts linked to your Outlook, check if you can modify your security settings or add a new phone number for 2FA.

If none of these options work, you may need to continue trying to contact Microsoft support for further assistance.

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References:

• Overview of Microsoft Entra ID Account Recovery
• Can't use Azure Multi-Factor Authentication to sign in to cloud services after you lose your phone or the phone number changes

Answer 2

Hi! If two-step verification is enabled, the only way is to have access to one of the verification methods registered on your account. In this case, choose the option to use another verification method and try any others you have available. If you don’t have any, select that option, this will take you to the request for the recovery code the system gave you (which you were asked to keep in a safe place) when you enabled two-step verification. If you don’t have that either, choose that option and you’ll likely be given the option to add a verification method in 30 days.