Why can I sign into my Yahoo account on my iPhone but I cannot sign into it on my desktop computer

Hi joel henkemeyer,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

It’s understandable to expect Yahoo login to work on your computer, since it works on your iPhone. To better help you, can you clarify exactly what happened? Did you see any error message, sign‑in loops, blank page, CAPTCHA, etc.?

The information will help us pinpoint the exact cause and better find the most suitable solutions. While waiting for your details, here are some basic troubleshooting steps that you can try out in the meantime:

1 - Unblock possible cookies or site data

• Open Edge > go to edge://settings/content/cookies
• Make sure the Block third-party cookies feature is turned OFF
• Allow sites to save and read cookie data (recommended) is turned ON
• Confirm no sites added under Customized cookies behaviors
• Restart Edge and try signing in to Yahoo again.

2 - Ease up tracking prevention

• Still in Edge Settings > go back to Privacy, search, and services
• Open Tracking prevention > change to Balanced or Basic
• If the issue persists, temporarily turn it OFF to test.
• Reload Yahoo sign‑in page and try again.

3 - Clear cookies and site data:

• Open Edge > press Ctrl + Shift + Del > choose time range: All time
• Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images/files
• Click Clear data > close Edge, reopen Yahoo and sign in.

Disclaimer: Your browser automatically saves temporary internet files to help pages load faster. Clearing cache will sometimes fix website issues. However, please back up all your personal files first, such as Favorites, to ensure you do not lose data. 

4 - Check if there’s browser extensions or security software blocking Yahoo

• Open Edge > press Ctrl + Shift + N to open InPrivate window
  • If you can sign in Yahoo there, one of the extensions is the problem.
  • Try to disable/enable them one by one to identify and remove it.
• Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows security
• Go to App & browser control > Turn OFF Reputation‑based protection
• Or click Reputation‑based protection settings > turn OFF temporarily:
  • SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge
  • Potentially unwanted app blocking

Disclaimer: Turning off real-time protections may make your device vulnerable to threats. So please turn it on immediately once the issue is fixed or if it makes no differences on the issue.

If none of the above works, consider testing with another browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.) Also please let me know the details as requested above. Thanks for your time!

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There could be several reasons why you can sign into your Yahoo account on your iPhone but not on your desktop computer. Here are some common issues to consider:

1. Browser Issues: Sometimes, the browser you are using on your desktop may have cookies or cache issues. Try clearing your browser's cache and cookies or using a different browser.
2. Network Issues: Ensure that your desktop is connected to the internet properly. Sometimes, network settings can affect your ability to log in.
3. Firewall or Security Software: Your firewall or security software on your desktop may be blocking access to Yahoo. Check your security settings to ensure that Yahoo is not being blocked.
4. Incorrect Credentials: Double-check that you are entering the correct username and password on your desktop. Sometimes, autofill settings can lead to incorrect entries.
5. Account Lock or Security Measures: If there have been multiple failed login attempts, your account may be temporarily locked. Check your email or phone for any security notifications from Yahoo.

If the issue persists, you may want to try resetting your password or contacting Yahoo support for further assistance.