What to do when you’re locked out of your Outlook account

Locked out of your Outlook account

If you can’t sign into your Microsoft account, consider these potential reasons:

• Username or password issues
• Your account is locked or blocked
• Your email account has been hacked
• Lack of verification code

Typically, when Outlook locks or blocks your account, you need to verify your identity and reset your password as a security precaution. While it can be frustrating to be locked out of your email account, having your account hacked and your personal information accessed could be worse.

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What to do if you’ve forgotten your Outlook password

You might panic at first. After all, our email accounts have become a sort of command center for our lives. They contain important information about banking, utilities, credit cards, car payments, and more. What’s more, they contain personal correspondence, passwords, personal pictures and other private information identity thieves could use against you.

Take a deep breath before you lose your cool. Make sure you type and spell your password correctly, don’t have caps locks on when you shouldn’t, and that you access the correct email domain extension for your country.

If you need to reset your password, follow these steps:

• Access the Microsoft account password reset portal for your type of account.
• Enter your identifying information like your phone number, email address, or Skype name that you use to sign in.
• Choose where you’d like to receive your verifying code that confirms your identity.
• Enter the requested information—such as a phone number or alternate email address.
• Once you receive a security code at your requested destination, type it in when prompted to do so.
• From here, you’ll be able to choose a new password.

In order for this method to work, you must have enabled two-factor authentication, which will allow Microsoft to verify that you are the actual owner of the account.

What if you’re locked out of your Outlook account?

In some instances, Microsoft may temporarily block your account due to unusual sign in activity. Your Outlook account will be locked to prevent you, or anyone who has access to your login information, from accessing the sensitive information in your account. Cyber attacks are not limited to large corporations; they can affect individuals and families too.

If your outlook account is blocked, go through the following steps:

• Reset your password.
• Enter the locked email address and type prompted CAPTCHA characters.
• If you’re using Microsoft Authenticator, verify your identity using biometrics or a code provided by the app.
• Alternatively, choose to receive a text message to confirm your identity. You don’t need a smartphone or device to get a security code via text message.
• Once you enter the security code provided by the text message or Authenticator, you’ll be prompted to change your password.

In rare instances, you may be unable to change your password despite following the steps. If this is the case, fill out the account recovery form.

You’ll need a secondary email account that you have access to, and you should take care to fill out the account recovery form on a device you would typically use to log into your blocked email account. Another good tip is to fill out the form from a location that is specific to you, such as your home or office. You’ll be prompted to answer some questions about your email account, like who some of your contacts are and messages you may have recently sent. Fill out as much information as you’re able because it can all be used to help you recover your account.

Losing access to an email account, even temporarily, can feel like a nightmare. Thankfully, it’s easy to get back into your Outlook account.