i lost my hotmail authenticator app and forgot my password

Question

So I forgot my Hotmail password, and I lost my phone, which had the authenticator. All efforts to recover the account have been unsuccessful. I also tried the option of answering security questions; the feedback I got was that the account has been activated for 2FA, but the process can't work for me. I also tried the recovery code, but it didn't work.

Answer 1

Hey there! Nice to meet you!

You mentioned: "but the process can't work for me. I also tried the recovery code, but it didn't work."

This is an indication that your account is temporarily blocked from resetting your password due to the system detecting unusual activity.

Since you have access to your verification methods to provide the recovery codes, kindly perform these steps to fix the error:

1. Perform a password reset via Incognito/InPrivate window using different devices and network services.
2. If your verification method still doesn't work, wait exactly 48 hours to perform another password reset.

Important: Please make sure not to attempt to sign in or reset the password within that timeframe (48 hours), as this may reset the lock cooldown.

Thank you for your understanding! Please feel free to let me know if you need anything else.

Best regards,

Darhyl

Answer 2

If you've lost access to your Hotmail account due to forgetting your password and losing your authenticator app, you can follow these steps to attempt to regain access:

1. Use the Account Recovery Form: Go to the Microsoft account recovery page at https://account.live.com/acsr. Select "I forgot my password" and follow the prompts. Since you have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled, you will need access to at least one of your recovery methods, like your phone or email.
2. Check Recovery Options: If you are having trouble receiving the code or if it asks for a phone number format, ensure you are entering the full number, not just the last four digits.
3. Provide Detailed Information: If you cannot access any recovery options, select "I don’t have any of these" and fill out the form with as much accurate information as possible, such as recent email subjects, folder names, and contacts you’ve emailed.
4. Contact Microsoft Support: If you continue to experience issues, you may need to contact Microsoft Support directly for assistance. You can do this through their support page and choose the appropriate options for account recovery.
5. Wait for Temporary Lockouts: If you have been locked out due to too many attempts, you will need to wait for the lockout to expire before trying again.

Remember, two-step verification cannot be turned off unless you are signed in first, so if you have lost access to all recovery methods, completing the recovery form is your best option.

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References:

• Can't sign in to my email - Microsoft Q&A
• My personal hotmail account hacked by hacker with authentication app enabled. - Microsoft Q&A