Outlook email problems

Question

The downage of April 27 is causing my issues. I need to change the two factor phone number, current home number won’t take text calls, and the backup email address(former work address no longer valid). Keep getting messages that I have changed my security info(I did try) so can’t do anything for 30 days. Now they had me sign up for a Microsoft ap that wants to charge $5.99 a week to update my info, that’s not happening, but everything wants confirmation using my home phone(they actually used to call verification codes) and old backup email. Any way to change MY SECURITY INFO? BTW I did go through the excruciating process of verifying my existence to reset my password, that’s when they started with the Microsoft App wanting to charge me to get more codes.

Answer 1

The phone/SMS and backup email methods on the account are either unavailable (landline, old work email) or in 30‑day change protection, so security info cannot be changed immediately. Microsoft support also cannot override this protection or send codes manually.

Key points and actions:

1. About the 30‑day restriction

• When security info (phone/email used for codes) is changed or removal is attempted, Microsoft may lock security changes for 30 days to protect the account. During this period, existing security info must be used, or the account must wait until the change completes.
• If all security info was changed/removed at once, the account can be restricted for 30 days before new info can be fully used.

2. Verify that the current methods are correct

• Go to the Security info page for the Microsoft account and check what phone number and email are listed.
• If any method still works (for example, a mobile number or a valid email), use that method to receive codes and then update or add new security info.
• If the phone number or email is wrong or no longer accessible, choose I don't have any of these when prompted for a code and follow the on‑screen recovery prompts.

3. If verification codes are not arriving

• Do not make excessive or repetitive requests for codes; this can cause Microsoft to temporarily block sending codes.
• If using SMS:
  • Ensure the number is a mobile phone, not VOIP or a landline. VOIP numbers cannot be used for verification codes.
  • Check that the phone is not blocking texts from unknown numbers.
  • If in a region where SMS is limited or delayed, there may be temporary delivery issues that resolve automatically.
• If using email:
  • Check the junk/spam folder for messages from @accountprotection.microsoft.com and mark that sender as trusted.

4. If none of the listed methods are accessible

• When prompted for a verification method, select I don't have any of these and complete the recovery process as thoroughly as possible.
• If the system has already started a 30‑day security‑info change, it may be necessary to wait for that period to complete before new security info can be fully used.

5. About apps asking for payment

• Official Microsoft account security and verification processes do not require paying a weekly fee to update security info or receive verification codes.
• Any app asking for $5.99/week to “update Microsoft info” should not be used for account recovery. Use only the official Microsoft sign‑in pages and security pages.

6. After regaining access to security settings

• Add a mobile phone number that can receive SMS.
• Add a current backup email address.
• Avoid changing or removing all security info at the same time to prevent another 30‑day restriction.

If no current phone/email method works and the account is in the 30‑day protection window, the only supported path is to complete the recovery flow (using I don't have any of these) and wait for the 30‑day period to finish so that new security info can take effect.

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References:

• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
• Common problems with two-step verification for a work or school account
• Microsoft account security info & verification codes