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Help with Outlook mail!

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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

Great Pumpkin
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I want to check my Outlook mail. I sign into my Outlook page with my Outlook email address. Sign in is accepted.

I then get the Two Step Verification window, but it has my old phone number from several years ago. Needless to say, that's not my phone number now.

I can't change the phone number *unless I've completed the Two Step Verification*.

Help!

Tom M.
 
You may be SOL, but try this:
When you reach the two-step verification prompt:

  1. Look for "I don't have any of these", "Try another way", or "Show more verification methods".
  2. If any alternative appears (like a backup email you might have added years ago), select it—Microsoft may send a code there.
  3. If nothing works and it loops back to the old phone number, then:
See if you can log in from a different device/browser where you might still be signed in (e.g., an old computer, phone app like Outlook that has an active session, etc) If you're already signed in somewhere, immediately go to > Sign in to your account < > Advanced security options > Update your phone number there (add a new one first, verify it, then remove the old one). If all that fails:

Contact Microsoft support for guidance: Even though they can't directly fix it, open a support request via:
  • https://support.microsoft.com/contactus (select Account & billing > Manage my account > Security info).
  • Choose chat or callback if available. Explain the exact situation—they can confirm if there's any workaround or if the account is truly irrecoverable (part it isn't).
One last hail Mary I just thought of. You might try calling your old phone number, assuming it's a cell phone, and see if someone answers. Explain the situation to them and ask if they could text you the 2SA code that gets sent too THEIR phone. I know that's a long shot, but if all other options fail.
 
By the way, one thing I like about Apple is that, while my account does use 2FA, there is also a "Recovery Key" I can set up that can be used in emergency if I somehow lose access to a recovery phone number or email address. The recovery key is 28 characters long and you have to call apple to regain access to an account using that key, if necessary. I keep it locked in a safe.
 
I called the number, following your suggestion, someone answered - and it worked! I'm back in business, reading mind-numbing technical stuff about 1930s P&W and Curtiss engines. And I love doing that!

Thank you sir!
TM
 
NutmegCT said:
I called the number, following your suggestion, someone answered - and it worked! I'm back in business, reading mind-numbing technical stuff about 1930s P&W and Curtiss engines. And I love doing that!

Thank you sir!
TM
Click to expand...
Make sure you change the 2FA number on your account (verify the new number first before you delete the old number). Also, if there is a way to add an additional verification method like a different email address, you might want to add that too.
 
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