cant access my other microsoft account on Laptop. It is a different account to the one I am using on this laptop

Question

I have tried to access my Laptop in the usual way, ie input 4 digit PIN...However last week, a message appeared stating "Something happened and your PIN isnt available, click to set up your PIN again."

So I have been thro the process of trying to set up the PIN , as instructed , and as part of the process ,it asks me to verify my phone number by entering last 4 digits which I have done and the system then says it's sending me a text, however the text never arrives. 

I then attempted to gain access ,as per instructions, via my password route  but  the system reverts back to saying it wants last 4 phone digits of  my phone number and after I input this it goes back to stating that it will send a text which as I've previously explained never arrives. 

   Eventually I was able to change the security setting from phone number to email address but the system tells me I have to wait til middle of August before the change can be effected.

It did say that I can use my account in the meantime but when I try, it is once again asking for last 4 digits of phone number and not receiving a text.

It's very frustrating and annoying that I can't access important work and files or absolutely anything for that matter via my MS account.

Why do I have to wait a month before  using anything on my Laptop when the problem appears to be with MS (as in not sending a verification code to the telephone number I have provided). 

Please can you help? I am desperate and keep going round in circles on the Q&A route.

By the way this issue relates to a different microsoft account I am trying to access and not the one I am currently conversing with you on. Thanks

Answer 1

Welcome Chaddybear,

I understand how frustrating it can be when you cannot sign in to a Microsoft account on your Windows 11 laptop because Windows keeps requiring phone verification, but the SMS verification code never arrives. You have changed the security information to an email address, but the change is pending until mid-August, leaving you unable to access the account. 

To better understand your situation:       

• Is this Microsoft account a personal account or a work/school account? 
• Are you unable to sign in only on the Windows sign-in screen, or can you successfully sign in to that Microsoft account at https://account.microsoft.com from another device or web browser? 

I look forward to your reply so we can continue working together to address the issue.