Single Use Code

Question

I recently received an email that gave me a single-use code. I did not request such a code and since receiving it, I cannot print from my computer. Each attempt to print results in an error code. This started after I received the email indicating the single use code. How do I rectify this problem? Will removing the code from my account allow me to print from computer?

The only way I can print a Microsoft document is from my Word or Excel phone app.

Thank You

Charlie Backofen

******@aol.com

Answer 1

Sign into the account here: https://account.microsoft.com, then go to Security to review the sign in activities. When you reviewed the account's sign in activities, Click into those labeled as "unsuccessful sign in", you can click on it to expand it to review the Session activity. If it is incorrect password, it won't generate a code. And there's nothing to worry about. If it is request denied xxx, that means this activity had your password entered correctly, and a code was generated, but it didn't pass the two factor verification. In the latter scenario, you want to change the password asap.

If you can NOT find any unsuccessful sign-in with the "request denied" labeling, it can mean that someone else left your contact information as their security info, usually due to typo. In this case, your account is not in any danger. Unfortunately there's also nothing you can do about it until this other user realized they needed to update their contact info.

Another way to find out which scenario is yours is to go to the account https://account.microsoft.com click on Security > Advanced Security options, set up authentication app instead. That way, if you continue to receive code via text or email instead, you would know 100% that it is NOT about your account, but someone else left your phone/email as their contact info due to typo.

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As for printing issue, what happens when you print, is there any error message, or what's the behavior like?

Answer 2

The single-use code email and the printing problem are unrelated. A single-use security code on a Microsoft account does not control or block printing on a computer, so removing or ignoring that code will not restore printing.

To resolve the printing issue, focus on the printer and Office/Windows configuration instead:

1. Verify the email is legitimate
   • Check that any Microsoft account email about security codes comes from the domain @accountprotection.microsoft.com.
   • Confirm that the account mentioned in the email belongs to you and that no one else is trying to sign in using your details.
   • For more details on checking legitimacy and unrequested codes, see the guidance on unrequested verification codes and viewing message headers in Outlook.
2. Test printing outside Office
   • Try printing a simple test page from Windows (for example, from Devices and Printers or the printer’s own test function).
   • If the printer fails there as well, the problem is with the printer, driver, or Windows printing system, not the Microsoft account.
3. Update Office and Windows
   • Install the latest updates for Office and Windows. Out-of-date components or drivers can cause printing errors.
   • If Office was installed via Click-to-Run, use File > Account > Update Options in Word or Excel to apply product updates.
4. Update or reinstall the printer driver
   • Go to the printer manufacturer’s website and download/install the latest driver for the specific printer model and Windows version.
   • If printing still fails, remove the printer from Devices and Printers, then add it again and retest.
5. Run Windows printer troubleshooting
   • Open Devices and Printers (press the Windows logo key + S and type “Devices and printers”).
   • Right-click the printer and select Troubleshoot, then follow the wizard to detect and fix common issues.
6. Print attachments and emails correctly
   • For email attachments (Word, Excel, etc.), double‑click the attachment to open it in the desktop app, then use File > Print or Ctrl+P.
   • If printing from Outlook.com or web mail, select the email and then select Print or press Ctrl+P. Some attachments must be opened first before they can be printed.

If printing works from the phone apps but not from the computer after all of the above, contact support via the Outlook.com or Microsoft account help channels referenced in the articles, as they can collect error codes and logs specific to the device.

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References:

• Can I trust email from the Microsoft account team?
• Print attachments received in email messages
• My Print button and some printer settings aren’t available