You are not alone if your Hotmail account has been restricted because of “suspicious activities,” and you are unable to access your email or recovery phone. Many people become stuck when they are locked out of Microsoft’s security system.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to recover a Microsoft or Hotmail account when:
- Your recovery phone number no longer works.
- Your alternate email is outdated.
- The Microsoft account recovery form keeps failing.
- You can’t get past the security verification step.
Why Microsoft Blocks Hotmail Accounts
Microsoft automatically locks accounts if it detects:
- Unusual sign-in activity.
- Sending a large number of emails in a short time.
- Sign-ins from suspicious IP addresses or public Wi-Fi.
- Possible hacking attempts.
While it’s designed to protect your account, it can also lock out the rightful owner if recovery info is outdated.
Step 1: Use the Microsoft Account Recovery Form Correctly
Your first step is the Microsoft Account Recovery Form: account.live.com/acsr
Tips for Success:
- Answer every question — even if you’re unsure, a close guess is better than leaving it blank.
- Provide real details — recent email subject lines, names of frequent contacts, billing info from purchases.
- Ask contacts for help — friends and colleagues can share subject lines of past emails you sent them.
- Use a valid email — Microsoft will send updates to this address, so it can even be a brand-new account.
Pro Tip: Each submission is reviewed by Microsoft’s automated system – the more accurate your answers, the higher your chances.
Step 2: Try the Account Unlock Option
This is different from a password reset.
Go to: account.live.com/password/reset
When asked for a security code:
- You can use any phone number that can receive texts – it does not need to be linked to your account.
- This can be your new number, a friend’s number, or even a prepaid SIM.
Step 3: Contact Microsoft Support the Right Way
If you’ve ever purchased Microsoft products (Microsoft 365, Xbox Game Pass, Windows Store purchases), you may have another route for verification.
How to reach the right support team:
- Visit: support.microsoft.com/contactus
- Choose Billing and Account Profile as your category.
- Have order numbers, subscription IDs, or billing details ready for identity verification.
Extra Hotmail Account Recovery Tips
- Try multiple times — Many users succeed after 2–3 attempts with more accurate information.
- Avoid suspicious networks — Don’t try logging in from public Wi-Fi while troubleshooting.
- Update your recovery details immediately — Once you regain access, change your phone number and backup email.
Final Word
Recovering a blocked Hotmail account without recovery phone or email is challenging — but not impossible. By following these Microsoft account recovery tips and using all available options, you maximize your chances of getting your account back.
Persistence, accuracy, and the right approach are key. Once you’re back in, keep your security info updated so you never face this problem again.
Thank you for this information! I will try it tomorrow and HOPE it Works!! I’ve had my Hotmail account since 2001 ! So you imagine how much info, links to all my accounts with different companies and also saved and organized folders I have! I really need to get this back and will follow all of yours and Microsoft’s instructions. I did try 5 times so fare over a few day last week with Microsoft with all the correct info, but still no response from them? I’ve notice when checking that other people have had a similer problem that I’m having.
Anyway, Thank Again for your help!
You have locked all three of my accounts so I cannot have you send an unlock code anywhere. It would be foolish to offer a fourth for you to lock up. I know my password and I do not believe there has ever been any suspicious activity other than MSN locking them 3 years in a row for no reason. If you decide to do what is right send me a confirmation at applecomputer01 @ gmx.com
I have been trying to recover my Hotmail for over a month now. Done imported info more than 20 times. Will try again
Have followed all Microsoft guidelines to help my sister recover her Hotmail account, to no avail!
Even tried phoning the Microsoft contact numbers only to have an AI voice send me to the same pages.
How else can I contact Microsoft or any other thoughts welcome.
I have been trying to recover my Hotmail account fro 6 months. Please Help me! I have hundreds of messages that I Need badly to recover!.
Hotmail acc blocked. when attempting to update password, there is an unknown email addy shown where “Pin, password etc” would be sent to. I have gone through all the processes several times in the past 3 weeks. Calls to microsoft are machines. Any help would be great.
what does this mean:
20260119T180254Z-17ff644dbb8588fmhC1YTOwhu0000000134g00000000argp
Regarding hotmail blocked
i just dont know why you locked my account and i have no way of opening is this a joke as im not laughing
Again. blocked hotmail account for over a month. Same comments as above.I am looking to send Mr Bill Gates a personal email to see if he can get me back in to my mail. I heard he is pretty smart. Other than that can anyone at all help. The sign in helper is of no help and the phone support sends me into an infinite loop. HELPHELPHELPHELPHELP
HELPHELPHELPHELPHELP HELPHELPHELPHELPHELP HELPHELPHELPHELPHELP
Hi, my hotmail email account has been locked and I am unable to login. I tried all methods of verification and they didn’t work. I was able to solve a puzzle once, it sent the code to my hotmail account that has been locked. Could you please unlock my account ritaram70.com and send the code to rit****70@yahoo.com. I know my password and I do not understand why I got locked. I filled all the forms required to recover my account that says it will take 24 hours and it didn’t work after 24 hours. I filled the form again, I will try it again in 24 hours. Thank you.
I see that I am experiencing the same frustrations as others. I have a MS recovery account however that sends the code to the account the is locked so it does no good. I thought I had solved the problem by finding a way to change my password. The new password generates the same error that I have been receiving for 2-3 weeks now with the old password.
MS wants my email address. What good will that do since I can not access the account?
second time this week I got locked out of my hotmail. I was trying to link it to my mobile phone so that probably triggered it. I tried to get a code but it won’t send one. I try my correct password and no luck.
Does the account ever reinstate on it’s own?
I know my email has been hacked. I think someone put a different password in my account. I can’t retrieve my account because I can’t get texts on a home phone. I don’t remember the last emails because it’s been 5 years since I have had access. I can’t talk to anyone or write to anyone. If I can’t get access I would like to close the account.
This appears to be a common issue and I have tried multiple times, through multiple options, to try to have my account restored. There is no reason for it to be locked in the first place. I wonder what’s triggering these issues. I have had this email for over 20 years and I’ve never had a problem until they just suddenly locked me out.
Hello
I have tried many times to get my sc***hen@hotmail.com account unlocked
I have not abused the Microsoft policy. My email was hacked by someone from Korea and the language on my email was changed to non-english. When this occurred I immediately contacted Microsoft. I had this account for 20+ years and my mistake was my anti virus software was not good enough to stop the hack.
Please let me know what I need to prove to you that I did not violate the Microsoft policy. All I ask is that you reinstate my email to a day before the hack occurred. I will immediately change my password and add windows defender
If you feel I should delete my email account, please let me know.
Please let me know your thoughts
Thank You
Scot Cohen