Second Email for Logging in

Question

I am asked to provide an alternative email address to log in, but i cannot access the alternative email, as it also wants an alternative email !

So How do i get in to an email

Why can i not just use my password??

Answer 1

Hey there! Nice to meet you!

Just to confirm, since you are being asked to sign in with your recovery email address, did you have two-factor authentication (2FA) active on the account?

If yes, do you still have the 25-character recovery codes?

Important: If you have an active 2FA, ACSR will inform you that your recovery request will be ignored. If you only receive a message that the recovery request is either successful or indicates insufficient information, this means that 2FA is disabled.

Also, do you receive a message "Help us secure your account" when signing in to your account?

Lastly, may I know when was the last time you successfully signed in to your Microsoft account?

Best regards,

Darhyl

Answer 2

The sign-in flow is asking for extra security information, not just the password. This is expected when Microsoft needs to “help secure your account” or complete two-step verification.

To get back in:

1. When prompted with messages like “Let’s protect your account” or “Help us secure your account,” enter an alternate email address or phone number that can currently be accessed. It does not have to be the original alternate email; any reachable email or phone is acceptable.
2. Select Next, then retrieve the verification code sent to that alternate email or phone.
3. Enter the code in the prompt and select Verify.

If the alternate email being requested is itself another Microsoft account that also asks for verification, use a private/incognito browser session so both accounts can be signed in at the same time:

1. Open a browser in privacy/InPrivate mode (for example, Ctrl + Shift + P in Microsoft Edge).
2. Sign in to the account that is asking for the verification code and leave that tab open.
3. Open a new privacy/InPrivate window and sign in to the alternate email account to read the verification message and code.
4. Go back to the first window and enter the code.

Passwords alone may not be accepted because the account has additional security requirements (such as two-step verification or required security info). The system must confirm identity using a code sent to an alternate email or phone before allowing access.

If no alternate email or phone can be accessed, the self-service recovery and security prompts must be completed with a new email or phone that can receive codes.

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References:

• Help us secure your account
• Common problems with two-step verification for a work or school account

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