Microsoft has blocked my Hotmail email account

Question

Microsoft has blocked my Hotmail account for over a week, ever since my iPhone recommended up grading the soft ware on it. The excuse is suspicious activity but this is not true. I have filled in the required forms with DOB, email addresses, together with the dates received sent and the contents many many times only to be rejected everyday.No human to talk to and of course no email for Microsoft.There is no more information to give!

Answer 1

Hey there! Nice to meet you!

If you do not have any linked verification methods for a password reset, I'm afraid the only way to recover/unblock the account is through the account recovery web form: https://account.live.com/acsr

Important: If you have an active 2FA, ACSR will inform you that your recovery request will be ignored. If you only receive a message that the recovery request is either successful or indicates insufficient information, this means that 2FA is disabled.

You'll need to keep trying until you're verified by Microsoft, and you can do this up to 2 times every 24 hours.

If you didn't receive the results from the account recovery webform, please try submitting another request via Incognito/InPrivate window and using different devices and network services. Then please check your email inbox, junk, and spam folders.

If your Microsoft account recovery request was not granted, please review this link for tips on improving your chances of a successful recovery: https://support.microsoft.com/office/dc56c3e3-dff0-4ed5-8edb-60290eea6b53

Please be advised that Microsoft Support will not be able to assist you with manual recovery, unblock, and escalation for this case, as stated in this article, that they are not permitted to send password resets, access, or even change any details on the account:

https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/help-with-the-microsoft-account-recovery-form-b19c02d1-a782-dee6-93c3-dc8113b20c42

Thank you for your understanding.

Best regards,

Darhyl

Answer 2

Microsoft accounts and Outlook.com mailboxes can be temporarily blocked when Microsoft detects unusual or risky sign-in activity, high volumes of requests, or behavior that may look like a violation of the Microsoft Services Agreement, even if the activity seems normal to the owner.

For a blocked Outlook.com/Microsoft account, the supported options are:

1. Use the Sign-in Helper
   • Go to the Microsoft account Sign-in Helper.
   • Follow the guided steps to confirm identity and unblock the account.
   • If prompted, enter the security code sent to the phone or alternate email on file, then change the password.
2. Try different verification methods or networks
   • If the message "Try another verification method" appears or codes are blocked:
     • Use a different verification method already associated with the account (for example, alternate email instead of SMS, or vice versa).
     • Try signing in from a different network (switch between Wi‑Fi and mobile data, or use another trusted network).
   • Avoid repeated attempts in a short period, as this can extend or reset the block.
3. Wait out temporary blocks
   • Some blocks are time-based. Guidance is to:
     • Stop trying repeatedly for at least 24 hours.
     • If still blocked, wait longer (up to about a week) before trying again.
4. Use the account recovery and reinstatement paths
   • If sign-in and standard unblocking fail, use:
     • The account recovery form (which has already been tried) and ensure it is submitted from a usual device/location with as much precise detail as possible (past passwords, recent subjects, frequent contacts).
     • The “Request for Account Reinstatement” option referenced in Outlook.com support/Q&A if the account appears blocked due to suspicious activity.
5. If unblocking still fails
   • If the Sign-in Helper and recovery options continue to reject the information, and the automated systems do not validate ownership, there is no additional self-service data that can be added beyond what the forms accept. In that case, the only supported path is to:
     • Retry after the recommended waiting period.
     • Continue using the Sign-in Helper and recovery forms as they are the only supported methods for consumer Outlook.com/Microsoft accounts.

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References:

• Unblock my Outlook.com account
• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
• Can't send or receive email in Outlook.com
• Microsoft account has been locked
• Why can't I log in to my Outlook account? - Microsoft Q&A
• My Microsoft account is blocked. - Microsoft Q&A