I can't receive verification emails

Question

I've been sent two documents from two separate sources. When I try to open them I'm asked to verify my email. It says it is sending a code to my email address but the code doesn't arrive. I've check spam, I've checked that microsoft emails are not in my blocked senders list. It won't let me enter a different email address or try another form of verification. How can I receive these codes so I can open the documents?

Answer 1

Hello, which email service are you using to receive the code, Outlook, Gmail, or another provider?

Open your mailbox settings and check if inbox storage is full or near limit, since full mailboxes stop new messages from arriving. Then sign in to your email on the web, not an app, and turn off any focused inbox or priority filtering so all messages show. Next, check if your email account has any forwarding enabled and disable it, since codes may be redirected elsewhere. Finally, sign out of all sessions, sign back in, and request a new code once, then wait a few minutes before trying again.

Answer 2

Follow these steps to restore delivery of Microsoft verification codes so the documents can be opened:

1. Check where the code is being sent
   • Verification codes sent by email only go to the primary alias or an email address that was added as a way to verify sign-in.
   • Make sure the address shown on the verification screen matches the Outlook.com mailbox being checked.
2. Check junk and filtering again
   • Codes are sent from @accountprotection.microsoft.com.
   • Check the Junk/Spam folder and any custom rules or filters that might move or delete messages.
   • Add @accountprotection.microsoft.com to the safe senders/allowed list so future codes go to the inbox.
3. Avoid repeated requests
   • Do not click “resend code” many times in a row. Excessive or repetitive requests can trigger a temporary block so codes are not sent.
4. Wait out possible temporary blocks
   • Microsoft may temporarily block sending codes if:
     • Unusual activity is detected on the account.
     • There is a high volume of verification requests.
     • There is heavy compromised traffic from the current region.
   • These blocks are temporary and can clear automatically after some time. Avoid repeated attempts while waiting.
5. Try another network or device
   • Sign in to Outlook.com from a different browser or device and try the verification again.
   • If possible, switch networks (for example, from home Wi‑Fi to mobile data) and retry, as some blocks are tied to network/region.
6. Confirm security info is correct (for Microsoft accounts)
   • Go to the Microsoft account security info page and confirm that the email address used for verification is listed correctly as a security method.
   • If another verification method (alternate email or phone) is available there, use it to sign in and then review/update the security info.
7. If shown “Try another verification method”
   • This message indicates a block on the current verification method.
   • Use any other verification method already configured on the account (alternate email, phone, or authenticator app) if offered.
   • If no other method is available, wait at least 24 hours without repeated attempts; if still blocked, wait longer (up to a week) before trying again.

Once codes start arriving again from @accountprotection.microsoft.com, use the next one received (older codes may expire) to complete verification and open the documents.

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References:

• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues