Unable to log into laptop with hotmail account

Question

I know my hotmail password is right as I have reset it using my iPhone. when trying to log onto our laptop it says Ive tried too many times. I've waited 24hours and husband has readded my account but it's still not working. I have also tried usi g the passkey and says passkey not recognised. What is going on as I can access my email via my iPhone but ned to be able to logon to my account using my hotmail credentials. Please help.

Answer 1

Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

The error message usually appears if your account is temporarily blocked.

Sometimes waiting a day can be enough to remove a block. Don't make lots of repeated attempts, as this may reset any time lock. If there's no change after 24 hours, try signing in with your account using an alternate security method and see if it helps. If that didn't work, we can try the account recovery options next.

That is, on the screen where you are asked to type in your password, select 'Other ways to sign in'. You can then use the alternate security verification methods to receive the code and see if you can sign in successfully.

See if you can sign in.

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If you are still having issues, use the account recovery form here to recover your account:-

https://account.live.com/acsr

Remember to use a familiar device from which you've frequently accessed your Microsoft account, as well as a familiar location. Microsoft will review your responses and respond within 24 hours. If you are verified, instructions on how to log back into your account will be sent to you, and if you are not verified, you will need to submit the Account Recovery form again. You can do this up to 2 times every 24 hours.

Once verified, try signing in with your Microsoft account.

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Answer 2

The Hotmail (Outlook.com) account and password are working, so the issue is with sign-in protection and/or the Microsoft account sign-in on that specific device, not with the mailbox itself.

Use these steps in order:

1. Stop repeated sign-in attempts on the laptop
   • When too many incorrect or blocked attempts are detected, Microsoft can temporarily block sign-in from that device or for that account.
   • Do not keep retrying on the laptop for a while; instead, confirm the account is healthy and unblocked first.
2. Confirm the Microsoft account is not blocked
   • On a working device (iPhone browser or another PC), go to Outlook.com and sign in as normal.
   • If a message appears that the account is blocked or needs verification, follow the steps in Unblock my Outlook.com account linked from the Hotmail sign-in article: see “My account is blocked” in the reference below.
3. Verify the Microsoft account itself works
   • On a working device, use the Microsoft account sign-in helpers if needed:
     • If sign-in fails or username/password are not recognized, use the Sign-in Helper tool or Recover your account flow described in the “I can’t sign in to my Microsoft account” article.
     • If the username or password has stopped working, follow the steps in My username and password have stopped working, including the “Recover your account” link.
4. Re-add the account to the laptop correctly
   • On the laptop, remove any cached or partially added instance of the account from Windows (Settings → Accounts → Email & accounts / Family & other users, depending on how it was added).
   • Then add the Microsoft account again and sign in with the same username and the latest password that works on the iPhone.
   • When prompted for additional verification (code, 2FA, etc.), complete it on the phone.
5. If the device or passkey is still not accepted
   • If the laptop continues to show messages like “tried too many times” or “passkey not recognised” even after waiting and using the correct password:
     • Wait at least 24 hours without further failed attempts from that laptop (as recommended in similar Outlook.com lockout cases) and then try again.
     • If it still fails, treat it as a possible security/lockout case and use:
       • Unblock my Outlook.com account from the Hotmail sign-in article.
       • The Request for Account Reinstatement mentioned in the Outlook.com lockout Q&A if the account appears blocked due to suspicious activity.
6. Contact Microsoft support if the account works elsewhere but not on the laptop
   • If web and iPhone sign-in work, the account is not deleted or globally blocked.
   • In that case, contact Microsoft support and explain that:
     • The Outlook.com/Hotmail account works on other devices.
     • The laptop shows “too many attempts” and does not accept the passkey.
   • Use the “Contact support” option from My username and password have stopped working if sign-in still fails after recovery steps.

Following these steps ensures the account is unblocked, the password is correct and synchronized, and the laptop is using a fresh, verified sign-in rather than a cached or blocked state.

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References:

• How to sign in to Hotmail
• How to sign in to Outlook.com
• I can't sign in to my Microsoft account
• My username and password have stopped working
• Why can't I log in to my Outlook account? - Microsoft Q&A