Do not create a replacement account for now; use Microsoft’s Sign-in Helper with the original email address or phone number, because purchases such as Minecraft must be recovered through the original account.
Recover the original account
- Open Microsoft’s sign-in recovery page and select the Sign-in Helper button. Enter the email address or mobile number previously used for the account. The tool checks the account details and provides the appropriate recovery action.^1^
- Carefully check the complete address:
- Correct spelling.
- Correct domain, such as
.com versus .co.uk.
- If the account had another email alias, phone number, or Skype name, try that instead.^2^
- If you cannot remember the current username, use Microsoft’s username lookup:
- Enter the recovery phone number or alternate email previously added to the account.
- Request and enter the security code.
- Microsoft will display a masked hint of the associated username.^3^
- Also check:
- Old Microsoft, Mojang, Minecraft, or purchase-receipt emails.
- Minecraft Launcher or Xbox on any device where the account may still be signed in.
- Order numbers, payment records, gamertag, and the original email address.
Keep these details available for recovery or support, but do not post passwords, security codes, or payment details publicly.
If the Sign-in Helper still reports that the account does not exist:
- Open Microsoft Support.^4^
- Choose Personal account and run the sign-in help process.
- Select Get Help or Contact Support when offered.
- Choose the affected product/service and confirm the issue.
- Select either:
- Chat with a support agent in your web browser, or
- Provide your phone number and a support agent will call you.
You can also open the Get Help app from the Windows 11 Start menu, describe the problem as “Microsoft account username stopped working”, and select Contact Support. Contact methods depend on the product, issue, operating hours, and subscription.^5^
Tell the agent the exact error and that the account contains Minecraft and other paid purchases. Microsoft states that support agents cannot manually change account details or send password-reset links, so identity verification must still go through the recovery process.^4^
The error alone does not prove that the account was hacked or deleted. Avoid creating another account or repurchasing the games until recovery and support checks are complete.
References
- I can't sign in to my Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
- My username and password have stopped working | Microsoft Support
- Forgotten your Microsoft account username | Microsoft Support
- Contact Microsoft customer support | Microsoft Support
- Get Help for Microsoft personal account users | Microsoft Support