Your account has been locked

Question

Hi,

My father's account is locked. Tried many ways but its not working. Recovery method is not working as well. Same recovery methods pop up. His password and recovery email are correct. His recovery phone number is correct as well. This message pops up

//Your account has been locked

We've detected some activity that violates our Microsoft Services Agreement and have locked your account.

How to appeal this and unlock your account

Choose Next and we'll send a verification code to your phone. After you enter the code, you can get back into your account.//

After we click for next, it ask for phone number, when we give phone number . This message pops up.

// Try Another verification method//.

Kindly help out.

Asked on twitter and support email as well. but they are keep on giving same links which are not working. leading to same support pages with same error pop up messages.

Answer 1

Hey there! Nice to meet you!

The error message, "Try another verification method" is an indication that the account is temporarily blocked from resetting the password due to the system detecting an unusual login pattern.

Kindly have your father perform these steps to fix the verification method error:

1. Perform a password reset via Incognito/InPrivate window using different devices and network services.
2. If it doesn't work, wait exactly 48 hours to reset the password.
3. If the issue persists, kindly wait exactly 1 week to perform another password reset. The idea is to wait for the account lock to expire first before you reset the password, as stated in this article: https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/troubleshooting-verification-code-issues-409090c4-92b5-42b9-8ae6-bcc97e62fc48#:~:text=If%20you%20received%20a%20Microsoft%20verification%20code%20that%20you%20did#:~:text=If%20you%20received%20a%20Microsoft%20verification%20code%20that%20you%20did

Important: Please make sure not to attempt to sign in or reset the password within that timeframe (48 hours or 1 week), 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

The lock message indicates the Microsoft account has been restricted for suspicious or Terms of Use–related activity, and normal recovery options are looping.

To proceed, only the official automated flows can be used:

1. Try the standard unlock flow again
   • Go to https://account.microsoft.com and attempt to sign in to the locked account.
   • When the "Your account has been locked" message appears, follow the prompt to send a security code to a phone number.
   • Any phone that can receive SMS can be used; it does not have to be the number on the account, and it does not have to be a smartphone.
   • If the phone number has hit a usage limit or is considered suspicious, a "Try another verification method" or similar error can appear. In that case, retry later and, if possible, use a different phone number.
2. If the sign‑in/unlock page does not show Next or the flow fails repeatedly
   • When the sign‑in page does not show Next, or the unlock flow cannot be completed, the account is locked at a higher level.
   • Use the link shown on the lock screen that begins with aka.ms/ to submit an appeal. This is the only supported way to request reinstatement when the interactive unlock flow cannot be completed.
   • Fill in the requested information and submit once. Submitting multiple times can slow down processing.
3. If recovery and verification options are blocked or rate‑limited
   • When verification codes or recovery attempts hit usage limits, wait for the lockout period (typically about 24 hours) to expire before trying again. Continuing to attempt sign‑in or recovery can extend the cooldown.
   • After waiting, retry from a familiar device and location (home or office) and follow the prompts again.
4. If the account cannot be recovered
   • For consumer Microsoft/Outlook.com accounts, support agents and forum moderators cannot manually unlock or bypass security checks; the decision is made by automated systems.
   • If the appeal or recovery form is ultimately unsuccessful, the account cannot be restored and a new Microsoft account will be required for future use.

For an Outlook.com mailbox specifically, if the account is only temporarily blocked (not fully locked under the Services Agreement), the Sign‑in Helper flow can sometimes unblock it. Use the Sign-in Helper and follow the prompts; if that also fails, fall back to the lock‑screen aka.ms appeal link as above.

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References:

• Microsoft account has been locked
• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
• I can't sign in to my Microsoft account
• Help with the Microsoft account recovery form
• Unblock my Outlook.com account
• Locked out of my Outlook account and recovery options not working - Microsoft Q&A
• I need to speak with a real person and it seems impossible. - Microsoft Q&A