Invalid email address

Question

Can Not verify account because code will be sent to an Invalid email address. Can Not manage or edit account info (find,delete,remove invalid email address) Invalid address is Not listed under my account info. How do I find it and permanently delete it's connection to my account?

Answer 1

To remove or replace an invalid email that is still being used for verification, first add a working verification method, then remove the bad one from your security info or aliases.

1. Check if the invalid email is a sign-in alias
   1. Go to Manage how you sign in to your account: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?linkid=842796
   2. Sign in with the account (using any method that still works: password + code to phone, backup email, etc.).
   3. Under Account username, look for any email address that is invalid or not recognized.
   4. Select Remove next to that alias.
      • If it is a Microsoft-domain alias (Hotmail, Live, Outlook, MSN), removing it permanently deletes that alias and it cannot be used again.
      • If it is non-Microsoft (for example, gmail.com), it usually becomes available to attach to another Microsoft account.
2. Check and update security info (verification methods)
   1. Go to the Security info / Advanced security options page of the Microsoft account: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2204804
   2. Add a new, valid method before removing anything:
      • Add email: choose a working email (not the work/school address for work accounts; and not the same as the invalid one).
      • Or add a mobile phone number (VOIP numbers are not allowed for verification codes).
   3. After the new method is added and verified, expand each existing verification method and select Remove for any invalid or unknown email.
3. If the invalid email is not visible anywhere
   1. On a verification screen where the code is being sent to the wrong email, choose I don't have any of these (or similar option) if shown.
   2. Follow the prompts to replace your security information.
      • This starts a 30‑day security info replacement process if all old methods are being replaced.
      • During this 30‑day period, the account stays usable, but security settings and billing info cannot be changed until the process completes.
4. If the account is stuck sending codes only to the invalid email and no other method works
   1. Use the Microsoft account recovery form at https://account.live.com/acsr from a browser in InPrivate/Incognito mode and on a stable network.
   2. Provide as much correct information as possible so ownership can be verified.
   3. After access is restored, immediately:
      • Add new, valid security methods (email, phone, authenticator).
      • Remove any invalid or unknown email addresses from both Manage how you sign in and Advanced security options.

Once the invalid email is removed from aliases and from security info, it will no longer receive verification codes or be connected to the account.

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References:

• Add or remove an email alias in Outlook.com
• Change the email address or phone number for your Microsoft account
• Removing a sign-in verification method
• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
• Common problems with two-step verification for a work or school account
• How to add an email address or phone number to your Microsoft account
• Set up an email address as your verification method