Email recovery, now have codes

Question

While resetting one of my Hotmail account passwords, I was locked out because I was not receiving the email verification code at my recovery email. My account is now under review, and I was notified it would be locked for weeks.

I just logged in to my recovery email account and realized I had blocked emails from ******@accountprotection.microsoft.com, thinking they were fraudulent. I removed that email address from the blocked list, and now I am receiving recovery email codes again.

Why can I not log in? I have a recovery email code and an SMS code. How can I contact whoever is reviewing my recovery request?

Thank you,

RKK

Answer 1

Hello,

It appears that your account is blocked for unusual activity. If you try to reset your password or request verification codes multiple times in a short period, your account will be blocked for security reasons. Sometimes the account will be automatically unblocked after 24 hours, or at most it can take up to a Week. Avoid repeated sign-in attempts, as this may reset any time lock.

Meanwhile, you can use the Account Recovery Form here to recover your account. This form works if you haven't enabled two-step verification.

https://account.live.com/acsr

Remember to use a familiar device from which you've frequently accessed your Microsoft account, as well as a familiar location. Microsoft will review your responses and respond within 24 hours. If you are verified, instructions on how to log back into your account will be sent to you, and if you are not verified, you will need to submit the Account Recovery form again. You can do this up to 2 times every 24 hours.

Answer 2

If the account is already under a security review or temporary lock, having the recovery email code and SMS code available now does not necessarily let sign-in continue immediately. Microsoft can temporarily stop verification messages or block sign-in when unusual activity, repeated recovery attempts, or other risk signals are detected. Those blocks can clear automatically after some time, and repeated attempts can extend the lock.

What is supported:

1. Verify the email source Valid Microsoft verification emails come from @accountprotection.microsoft.com.
2. Avoid repeated recovery or sign-in attempts Excessive or repetitive requests for codes can cause temporary or permanent blocks. If many attempts were already made, stop retrying for at least 24 hours. If there is still no change, wait longer, up to 1 week.
3. Try another verification method only if the account still offers it If sign-in presents another method connected to the account, use that method. If the block is tied to one method, another method may work.
4. Try another network Switch between Wi‑Fi and cellular data, or try a different Wi‑Fi network.
5. Use the sign-in troubleshooter For sign-in issues, use the Microsoft sign-in helper: Sign-in helper
6. Contact support through the public support flow Use Contact Microsoft Support, enter the problem, select Get Help, and then Contact Support if prompted.

Important limitation: support agents are not allowed to send password reset links, send verification codes, or access and change account details. The context does not describe any way to contact a specific person who is manually reviewing a recovery request.

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References:

• Can I trust email from the Microsoft account team?
• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
• Microsoft account has been locked