Fixing email problem

Question

Someone I know went into their outlook and all their emails had the forward / arrow sign to all of their email which is unusual and when I try to look for the "forwarding" and "rules" on the outlook app they don't appear. I also tried resetting the password via the phone number but it keeps saying "use a different verification method". I do not know what to do and want some help in regards to this issue.

Answer 1

Hello Max

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum. I’m sorry this happened, seeing a “forwarded” indicator on all emails can be a sign that someone accessed the mailbox and forwarded emails.

Please try the steps below:

1. Check Outlook settings on a mobile device If you are using a phone

• Open Outlook on the web using your mobile browser.
• Switch the browser to Desktop view (this option is usually found in the browser menu; the exact steps depend on the browser you are using).
• Go to Settings > Mail
• Review the Forwarding and IMAP settings to ensure they are configured as expected.

2. Reset your password If you are having trouble resetting your password

Please try using a different web browser or a computer instead of your current device. If the issue persists, wait 2–3 days and then try resetting your password again. Temporary security restrictions can sometimes block repeated attempts.

3. Secure the account

• Go to: https://account.microsoft.com/security > Manage how I sign in 
• Remove any unfamiliar sign‑in methods you don’t recognize 
• Check the list of devices associated with your account 
• If you notice anything unusual, change to a strong password and Sign out everywhere
• Turn on Two-step verification: How to use two-step verification with your Microsoft account - Microsoft Support
• If locked out, go to https://account.live.com/password/reset and follow the prompts. 

4. Review and secure recent sign‑in  

• Check Recent activity: https://account.microsoft.com/activity  
• Choose This wasn’t me/ Secure your account for anything you don’t recognize. You can see What happens if there's an unusual sign-in to your account - Microsoft Support

For more details, you can see this official guide: Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues - Microsoft Support

Thank you for your understanding and please feel free to let me know how it goes.

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