locked account

Question

My partner's microsoft account has been locked and she can't access newly purchased microsoft 365 subscription. No human to talk to and the cycle of trying to get unblocked online is v frustrating. What can we do to unblock this account. The subscription was made for her new laptop.

Answer 1

See https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/microsoft-account-has-been-locked-805e8b0d-4141-29b2-7b65-df6ff6c9ce27 (you may already have read that support article).

Answer 2

I have tried all of the above repeatedly - it was not blocked because of unsuccessful sign in attempts but 'suspicious activity'. (trying to access newly purachased subscription)

Answer 3

To unblock your partner's Microsoft account, you can follow these steps:

1. Wait and Retry: If the account was locked due to too many incorrect sign-in attempts, it's advisable to wait for 24 hours before trying again. This waiting period helps to ensure that the account is not temporarily blocked due to suspicious activity.
2. Use the Account Recovery Form: If waiting does not resolve the issue, you can fill out the Request for Account Reinstatement form to verify ownership of the locked account. Ensure that you provide as much information as possible to help with the recovery process.
3. Contact Microsoft Support: If the above steps do not work, you may need to contact Microsoft Support directly for assistance. You can reach out to them through the Microsoft 365 admin support page. If you don't have access to any account, you might need to create a new one to contact support.
4. Check for Alternative Sign-in Options: Sometimes, there may be alternative ways to sign in, such as using a different method or device. Check if there are options available on the sign-in page.

By following these steps, you should be able to regain access to the account and the Microsoft 365 subscription.

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References:

• Solve account access problems
• What happens if my billing account is blocked?