Log in problem

Question

I can sign in using user name & password on 3 of 4 devices. On the 1 device it keeps saying to many fail attempts use a pass code. Want to get rid of this shitty passcode & keep using my password & use on other 3 devices. How do I do that?

Answer 1

Hi Craig Degeyter

Thank you for reaching out. Before we go any further, please confirm that you have already tried the Q&A Assist steps. In addition, please try the following:

1, Stop the trigger on that device

On the affected device only:

• Close all browsers and apps that may be trying to sign in automatically (Outlook app, Mail app, Edge profiles).
• Do not attempt to sign in again for a full cooldown period (Microsoft enforces this automatically). This prevents the protection window from being extended

2, Clear saved sign‑in state on that device

After the cooldown:

• Open a browser InPrivate / Incognito
• Go to https://outlook.live.com
• Sign in using the same password that works on your other devices

3, If the device is a Windows PC

If this is happening on a Windows PC and the message mentions a passcode / PIN, that’s Windows Hello reacting to account protection:

• On the sign‑in screen, select “Sign‑in options” > choose “Password” (not PIN), if available
• Once access is restored, you can review Windows sign‑in options later

Please feel free to let me know how it goes. I truly appreciate your time and understanding.

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Answer 2

On the device that shows “too many failed attempts, use a passcode,” the account is being temporarily protected because of repeated sign-in failures or unusual activity. That protection is per-account and per-device, so it can affect only one device while the others still work.

To get back to password sign-in on that device:

1. Stop trying to sign in on that device for a while
   • Microsoft temporarily locks sign-in after many failed attempts to counter security threats.
   • Wait at least 24 hours without any more sign-in attempts on that device. Additional attempts can extend the lockout.
2. After the wait, try again with the password
   • Use the same username and password that work on the other three devices.
   • If offered, choose “sign in another way” and pick the normal password/MFA method instead of the passcode option.
3. If still blocked after the cooldown
   • The account may be blocked due to suspicious activity. In that case, follow the Outlook.com unblock and recovery guidance (for example, “Unblock my Outlook.com account” and the “Request for Account Reinstatement” form) from a browser where the account still works.
   • Use a familiar device and network when completing any recovery or unblock steps.
4. Keep using the password on all devices
   • Once the lockout clears and any security checks are completed, password sign-in will work again on that device just as it does on the other three.
   • Avoid repeated incorrect attempts in a short time to prevent the protection from triggering again.

If the problem persists even after waiting and following the unblock/recovery steps, contact the Outlook.com support channel referenced in the unblock/recovery documentation and continue using the devices where sign-in still works while the case is resolved.

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References:

• Common problems with two-step verification for a work or school account
• Why can't I log in to my Outlook account? - Microsoft Q&A
• Locked out of my Outlook account and recovery options not working - Microsoft Q&A