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I am trying to gain access to my account which I've been locked out of
The current account I'm using has been created to sign in and contact Microsoft, as well as to gain access to a new laptop.
I tried initiating 2-Step Authentication through my old account by way of phone number. The phone number was already in my account but the portal would not allow me to set it for 2FA for some reason. Therefore I'm locked out because of a comedy of errors
I've tried account recovery 4 times and have no idea if it's failing or not because I never get a response. Please help I need my old account back.
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Hi Ryan, thank you for sharing. Did you make sure all the details in the Microsoft account recovery form are correct, including your old email, a current contact email, previous passwords, and any linked phone numbers?
Microsoft only supports recovery through this form at account.live.com/acsr, and providing as much accurate information as possible gives the best chance to regain access. Check your contact email, including spam, for any response from Microsoft after submission.
My old account had my phone number saved but for some reason never wanted to register it for 2FA, which I attempted several times.
I tried submitting another recovery request from the link you shared but I was told I reached my daily limit so that must prove that I was submitting via the proper form
I'm positive of my information with the exception of my Skype info, it's been so long that I can't remember my contacts or credentials
I'm not 100% convinced that I used one of the two passwords I submitted, but I can confirm that one of the two is exact as it came from a password manager.
I used two different email addresses to request the access code required at the beginning of the process, my first two attempts were through my work email, 2 two alter attempts were through my gmail account
To add to the above, nowhere in the process did it ask for my phone number, aside from the very beginning, where I used my email address. As mentioned before my phone number was in my primary account (the one I'm trying to unlock) but was systematically refused for 2FA
Thanks for the details. It sounds like you’ve followed the official process closely. Since Microsoft only allows recovery through the account recovery form, the next questions are: Did you include the most recent and accurate information you can recall for all fields, even if incomplete, and are you using a single contact email consistently to receive responses?
Microsoft’s system evaluates all details you provide, including previous passwords, account creation info, and linked devices, even if you cannot remember Skype contacts. If you hit the daily limit, wait 24 hours before submitting again, and make sure the contact email you provide is one you actively monitor.
Did you include the most recent and accurate information you can recall for all fields, even if incomplete,
To the best of my recollection yes, I paid for a Microsoft subscription last week, I know my payment information is correct
***and are you using a single contact email consistently to receive responses?
***For my first two attempts I used my work email, going forward I am using gmail. My 2 most recent attempts were with gmail
Thanks, Ryan. Using your most accurate details, including recent payment info, helps Microsoft verify your identity.
Since your latest recovery attempts used Gmail as the contact email, make sure you check that inbox and spam folder for any messages from Microsoft. Keep using one email consistently for future submissions and wait 24 hours between attempts if you hit the daily limit. Providing as much correct information as possible, including previous passwords, subscriptions, and linked devices.
How long can this take and is there any hope?
Recovery timing varies, Ryan. Microsoft does not provide an exact timeframe, but responses usually arrive within 24 to 72 hours after a submission.
Since you are providing accurate information, including recent payments and previous passwords, there is a chance the system will verify your identity. Keep monitoring the contact email you provided, submit again only after the daily limit resets, and continue providing all details you can remember. This is the only supported way to regain access.
