Cannot see recovery code sent to outlook account for recovery

Question

Every so often I get messages from microsoft informing me that unusual activity has been noted regarding my account with outlook. I could not give a toss about this but I then get locked out of outlook (which I do care about) In the recovery process involving microsoft sending code to that address, a window then appears over my mail saying " wait a moment".

I cannot clear this window (which never completes!) but it hides the code sent. This catch 22 condition is not helpful.

Why do you do this?

Answer 1

Hi David Bland,

I understand that the “Wait a moment” window remains on top of Outlook.com and prevents you from opening the message containing the verification code.

Please keep the verification page open, then use a separate private browser window or another device to access the mailbox:

1. In Microsoft Edge, press Ctrl + Shift + N to open an InPrivate window. In Chrome, use the same shortcut for an Incognito window.
2. Sign in to the mailbox receiving the code.
3. Open the message from the Microsoft account team and copy the code.
4. Return to the original verification window and enter the code.

Microsoft recommends this separate private-window method because signing in to the mailbox in the same browser session may interrupt the account verification process. See Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues.

If the “Wait a moment” window also appears in a private window or on another device, use the Microsoft account Sign-in Helper to identify the available recovery options.

Please note that this is a user-to-user forum, so contributors cannot access your account, remove the security prompt, or issue verification codes. I hope the separate private-window method allows you to retrieve the code and complete the verification.

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