Verification

Question

I got a request to sign back into my main email. I sign in using my password then it requests that I verify my account due to suspicions sign in activity. Now comes my problem, the 2 ways i can verify are with the other email linked to my account or my cell phone. Problem #1 the secondary email is spelled wrong, pry when I originally entered it, expl.. li*********@gmail.con. notice its spelled .con. when it sends out the verification email I dont get it. Problem #2 is when I try use my phone number it gives me an error message saying "this verification method isnt working right now. Please try another method."

At this point I am stuck so any help is appreciated.

Answer 1

Hey there! Nice to meet you!

The error message you received, "this verification method isnt working right now. Please try another method." indicates that your account is temporarily blocked due to the system detecting unusual activity.

Since you have access to your recovery phone number, please 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 account is being protected by additional verification, and both current methods are failing, so only the supported self‑service and wait options are available.

1. Use the sign‑in helper
   • Go to the Microsoft sign‑in helper and follow the guided troubleshooting for sign‑in and verification issues: Sign-in helper.
   • This tool can detect if the account is blocked or rate‑limited and show available recovery options.
2. Understand the “Try another verification method” / method not working error
   • Microsoft may temporarily block a verification method because of:
     • Unusual activity or risky sign‑in behavior.
     • High volume of verification requests.
     • Suspicious traffic from the current network or region.
   • In these cases, the system can show messages like “This verification method isn’t working right now. Please try another method” or “Try another verification method.”
3. Try another network and wait out the block
   • Switch networks (for example, from home Wi‑Fi to mobile data, or to a different Wi‑Fi network) and try again.
   • If the method is still blocked, stop making repeated attempts. Excessive retries can extend or reset the lockout.
   • Wait at least 24 hours before trying again; if it still fails, wait longer (up to about a week) before further attempts.
4. When the phone method starts working again
   • As soon as SMS verification works, sign in and go to the account security info page.
   • Fix the incorrect secondary email (change .con to .com or remove and re‑add the correct address) so future verification emails can be received.
5. If no verification method becomes available
   • If neither email nor phone can be used and codes are not delivered, Microsoft support agents cannot override verification, send codes, or change security info for consumer accounts.
   • In that case, the only options are:
     • Wait until the existing methods become available again (block expires and SMS/email starts working), or
     • Use the account recovery/sign‑in helper flow and follow whatever options it presents.

For ongoing sign‑in protection and to avoid being blocked by a single method in the future, consider adding multiple verification methods (another email, another phone) and using passwordless options such as Microsoft Authenticator once access is restored.

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References:

• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
• Help us secure your account