Question Help with Frustrating Windows Verification Issue

[Jarhead0331]

Not too long ago I needed to change my password for my Microsoft account. This was primarily due to an outlook email issue. However, in doing so, I was signed out of all my Microsoft account based apps. This includes Windows security, Onedrive, Xbox App, etc. and this happened on ALL of my devices that utilize my Microsoft account. That includes like 7 desktop PCs, my Galaxy phone, iPad and a Legion Go.

On several of the devices, in order to log back in, I am being asked by Windows to "verify" my identity for the account. However, in order to verify my identity, Windows is saying that it will send a code to the Microsoft outlook (Hotmail) email account that I am actually being asked to verify. Now, I've been able to sign back into the email account on my phone so I do have access to the email account. However, no code is being received to the account so I am unable to verify and therefore, unable to log back into my account on the effected PCs and devices. Of course, I've googled and this seems to be a known issue, but I am yet to find any definitive solution. One person suggested "resetting" the Windows Hello pin. They claim after doing this, they were able to log back into each effected device using only the account password without having to go through the verification code process. But I'm afraid to do this because it will reset the Hello pin on EVERY device, so I'm concerned I may end up losing access across the board on everything if it doesn't work and then I will totally be locked out.

Any of you guys have any thoughts or advice? Eventually this is going to be a big problem for me.

Thanks in advance for any help or support (even the moral kind)!

 

[helpstar]

are you sure it´s the hotmail address and not a live, microsoft or oulook mail address?
check the spam folder of your hotmail

 

[Jarhead0331]

I'm quite sure it is a hotmail address. I've been using it for decades and of course I've checked the spam box. Nothing. As I noted, I did google the issue and it seems to be a Windows bug where the verification code is just not sent and unfortunately, it is not giving me any other option to verify. I have both a gmail address and a cell number affiliated with my account for sending notices, etc.

 

[helpstar]

only Microsoft can help you then
sometimes the verify code arrives delayed like 1 day after

 

[Cilantro7536]

I don't have a definitive answer for you, but here are some things I would look into:

1. My Microsoft accounts have multiple ways of proving who I am (via https://account.microsoft.com/security, "Manage how I sign in"). On the phone that you were able to log in, check if the "Email a code" option matches the account that is not receiving email. In the long run, consider using another email provider to receive the code, just because of the issues you're experiencing. See if adding other options would allow you to prove your identity additionally (Text a code, Send sign-in notification, Enter a code from an authenticator app, Use a passkey). Install Microsoft Authenticator on your phone and add this as an option; I have had the best experience with this, even if I have some doubts about its security.

2. Google and Microsoft account recoveries are notorious for this kind of problem. Once you get into it, it either resolves itself sometime in the future via the official recovery form, or it doesn't. An alternative path that people have taken is to sign up for a paid service to get access to a live agent (even if it's just email support), and they can sometimes resolve the problem this way.

 

[SkyNetRising]

One person suggested "resetting" the Windows Hello pin.
But I'm afraid to do this because it will reset the Hello pin on EVERY device, so I'm concerned I may end up losing access across the board on everything if it doesn't work and then I will totally be locked out.

Windows Hello PIN is local (device specific).
Resetting PIN changes it only on the specific device (not all devices).

 

[Ralston18]

Take a closer look at the email app(s) , the email addresses being used, and the email servers being used.

Microsoft's email app is Outlook (with variations - "Classic", "New") and Microsoft's email is via outlook.com.

Yet I (and many others) can use other email servers such as "comcast.net", "icloud.com", and "gmail.com" via Outlook.

Which often becomes problematic and leads to situations such as you have posted and was noted by @Cilantro7536 .

Xfinity (Comcast) has discontinued adding new comcast.net email addresses and has also deleted unused comcast.net accounts. [For the record, notifications were sent in advance. Not everyone paid attention.]

There is also a move towards "Accounts" for devices and individual users. Having multiple email addresses can be problematic with respect to creating and managing your Accounts and any associated email accounts. All the more so with the push for access from everywhere and synchronizing it all (email, files, etc..).

My wife and I have used a shared email address and telephone number for years as a matter of convenience.
Now we are seeing "that is already in use" type messages when setting up new accounts for required portal access etc.. Not necessarily based on us as individuals but as an "email address" or "cell phone number" instead.

I have been working with a "loop". Trying to create a new email account for a family member but getting stuck with the process wanting to send a confirmation or some other form of authorization to the new (not yet existing email address). And when I use a known working email address for confirmation process it balks because "that email address is already in use". Will spare you all the various permutations that have been tried....

You may need to manually configure Incoming and Outgoing mail server settings: protocols, ports, and security settings. Some devices require a "check box" selection to "Allow third party apps" to use the email server. Lots of little details to reconcile.

And, indeed - verification codes can take some time to be delivered. Generally a text to a cell phone number seems to be the quickest if you can even get that set up and configured correctly.

Failing all that then I am in agreement - you will need Microsoft's assistance to get it all sorted out.

 

[Jarhead0331]

Well, its a small miracle but I was able to circumvent the issue and get logged back in where needed.

After trying everything on my own, I finally caved and reached out to Microsoft support directly. I knew it was going to be like banging my head against a wall and that I would lose hours of my precious free evening. The session started out on chat with someone named "Success" even though the chat bubble said his name is "Joe". I was able to explain the issue moderately well through chat, but eventually, the tech offered to call me. It was clear from the accent that the guy was in Africa. I know because I've been there a few times during my time in the service. When he asked if I was willing to give him remote access to my PC, I started sweating bullets. What choice did I have? After all, I contacted him through official Microsoft channels, but I was double and triple checking.

In an event, to make a long story short, he eventually walked me through activating multi-factor authentication, and I don't entirely remember what he had me do, but in setting up the authenticator app, I was able to have the code send to one of my gmail addresses, instead of the Hotmail address that never received the codes. Thus, I was able to activate authentication through the app, instead of by having the code sent to Hotmail, which was not functional. This permitted me to log back into my accounts on all of my PCs and devices.

This was WAY more complicated than it should have been and Microsoft really needs to do something to unscrew this process up. But, for now, I'm good to go. I guess all is well that ends well, right?

Thanks for all of your feedback.

 

[helpstar]

double check for trojans or malware, change passwords, just in case