How to unlock locked account

Question

I have been locked out of my account for a few years because I no longer have access to the email address and number i put down as dual authentication.

I have completed the form online to gain access but have been rejected. Most of the information i put in is correct as i have access to all of my emails before my account was locked so i know that the subject lines you have to provide etc are correct.

I dont know where to go from here. I need access to this account as it is listed as a recovery account for most of my other accounts i have set up over the years.

PLEASE HELP ME x

Answer 1

Hey there, Felicity Parry36

Unfortunately, the only way to recover a Microsoft account is to use the account recovery form, which you have done by looking at your post.

The problem becomes even worse when you enabled two-factor authentication on your account. Once this has been enabled, the Microsoft account recovery team is unable to intervene. This is because of how the system is designed.

I hate to be the barer of bad news, and would much rather bring good news. However, there is no point providing you with misleading information. I would much rather be truthful with you.

If you haven't enabled two-factor authentication, please keep trying using the recovery form. Please try completing the form on any devices you have used previously that have been signed into your account.

I would see if you have other devices that have your account already signed in on. Things like Xbox's or old mobile phones.

You can find out more on how the Microsoft account recovery form works via this link: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/help-with-the-microsoft-account-recovery-form-b19c02d1-a782-dee6-93c3-dc8113b20c42

If this doesn't work, please try using the recovery options for your other accounts to try and reset their recovery information. If you can tell me what accounts (don't post your username or email address) you are trying to sign into (e.g. Facebook, GMail etc...), I can provide articles for you to try and reset your account information on those services.

Hope this is somewhat helpful,
Nathan

Answer 2

To unlock your locked account, you can follow these steps:

1. Wait for Lockout Period: If your account has been locked due to too many failed sign-in attempts, you may need to wait for a temporary lockout period, which usually lasts about 24 hours. During this time, avoid further attempts to sign in, as this can reset the cooldown.
2. Use the Account Recovery Form: Since you have already completed the recovery form, ensure that you are using a familiar device and location when you resubmit it. Provide as much accurate information as possible, including:
   • Subject lines of recent emails you sent.
   • Email addresses of your contacts.
   • Any past passwords you remember using.
3. Check for Errors: If you received a rejection, double-check the information you provided to ensure it is correct. Sometimes, even small discrepancies can lead to rejection.
4. Contact Microsoft Support: If the recovery form continues to be rejected, consider reaching out to Microsoft Support for further assistance. You can explain your situation and see if they can provide additional options or guidance.
5. Inform Your Contacts: If your account is linked to other accounts, inform your contacts about the situation to prevent them from falling victim to potential phishing attempts.

Unfortunately, account recovery is fully automated for security reasons, and there may be limitations to the assistance that can be provided directly.

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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