Unable to reset Microsoft account password – SMS verification not working

Question

I have forgotten my Microsoft account password. My account has two-step verification enabled. The email verification method works, but the SMS verification method always says "That verification method isn't working right now," so I can't complete the password reset. The account recovery form is also rejected because two-step verification is enabled. This Microsoft account is my Xbox account, and I still have access to the email address associated with it. I need help restoring access to my account.

Answer 1

Replace all the security info (verification methods) on your Microsoft/Outlook Account

If you can complete one verification step for your account, but can't access any of the other verification methods, and have repeatedly failed the Account Recovery process, or can't use Account Recovery because your account has Two-step Verification (2FA, MFA), then you can try to request that all the verification methods be replaced.

This will put your account in a 30 day "Pending Request" state. You will have limited access to the account during this period or no access at all if the account has Two-step Verification enabled.

See the Answer by "Hornblower409 Jun 25 2026" in
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5920985/how-to-fix-we-will-send-a-verification-code-to-(mo