Deepak Gupta

Microsoft account locked: how to unlock it

Sign in at account.microsoft.com. If you see a Let's prove you're human option, follow it to unlock your account. If that option is missing, Microsoft locked the account for suspicious activity or a Terms of Use issue, and you need to submit the reinstatement form linked in that window. Submit it once.

Do these 3 things now

1Sign in at account.microsoft.com and follow the unlock steps it shows.Read to them:“Sign in at account.microsoft.com and follow the unlock steps it shows.”
2Don't reply to anyone offering to unlock your account, and never call a number from a pop-up or ad.Read to them:“Don't reply to anyone offering to unlock your account, and never call a number from a pop-up or ad.”
3If there is no unlock option, submit the reinstatement form linked in the window once, then wait for an email.Read to them:“If there is no unlock option, submit the reinstatement form linked in the window once, then wait for an email.”

Sign in to unlock (account.microsoft.com)

Official link: account.microsoft.com

I am helping someone else

Helper mode: each step is written for you to read aloud. Let them tap and type on their own device; never ask them to send you a code. Send them this first.

01Is this you?

Signing in shows a message that your Microsoft account has been locked.
You see a Let's prove you're human screen, or a link that starts with aka.ms/.
Microsoft emailed or texted you about unusual sign-in activity.

Not quite? Someone changed my password · I just forgot my password

02Official recovery path

Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in.Read to them:“Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in.”source
If you see Let's prove you're human, follow that option to unlock the account.Read to them:“If you see Let's prove you're human, follow that option to unlock the account.”source
Enter a phone number when asked, then type the security code Microsoft texts you.Read to them:“Enter a phone number when asked, then type the security code Microsoft texts you.”Unconfirmed, test pending
If Microsoft blocked a sign-in it found unusual, choose where it should send a security code, then enter the code.Read to them:“If Microsoft blocked a sign-in it found unusual, choose where it should send a security code, then enter the code.”source
If you don't see Let's prove you're human, select the link in the window that begins with aka.ms/ and submit the reinstatement form.Read to them:“If you don't see Let's prove you're human, select the link in the window that begins with aka.ms/ and submit the reinstatement form.”source
Send the form once. A support agent reviews it and contacts you by email. Extra requests can slow the reply.Read to them:“Send the form once. A support agent reviews it and contacts you by email. Extra requests can slow the reply.”source

Did that get you back in?

Yes

Lock it down now. Change the password, turn on two-step, sign out other devices. It takes about 15 minutes.

No

A.If you can't sign in at all, use Microsoft's sign-in helper.Read to them:“If you can't sign in at all, use Microsoft's sign-in helper.”source
B.If the code goes to a phone you don't have, sign in from a trusted device, or ask someone who has the phone to read you the code.Read to them:“If the code goes to a phone you don't have, sign in from a trusted device, or ask someone who has the phone to read you the code.”source
C.Once you are back in, check Recent activity at account.live.com/Activity. If something isn't you, select This wasn't me and change your password.Read to them:“Once you are back in, check Recent activity at account.live.com/Activity. If something isn't you, select This wasn't me and change your password.”source

Then: how long it takes

03How long it takes

No published timeline

Microsoft does not publish a review time for reinstatement requests. It says an agent contacts you by email after reviewing your form.

While you wait

Check your contact email, including the junk folder, for Microsoft's reply.
Run a full antivirus scan, since Microsoft lists malware among the reasons accounts get locked.
Keep a note of the date and the message you saw.

04Warn your contacts

Send this from another account or by text, so nobody falls for messages sent in your name.

Microsoft has locked my account [address] and I can't read email there right now. Please use [other contact] to reach me. If a message from my old address asks for money or codes, it is not me.

More templates: email, followers, customers

05Watch out for recovery scams

People who just lost an account are the main target of fake helpers. Only Microsoft account and Outlook's own app or website can restore your account.

"Unlock" services that charge a fee or ask for your password. Only Microsoft can review a locked account, through its own form. How it works
Pop-ups and search results with a "Microsoft support" phone number. Microsoft says its real error messages never include a phone number to call. How it works
Calls from "Microsoft Support". Microsoft says that if you didn't ask it to, it won't call you to offer support. Hang up. How it works

All recovery scams and how to spot them

06Once you're back in: lock it down

0 of 9 doneAbout 32 minutes total

Scan your PC, then change your password5 minRun a full antivirus scan first. Then change your password at account.microsoft.com/security. Use one you have never used anywhere else.source
Check Recent activity3 minOpen account.live.com/Activity. For anything you don't recognize, select This wasn't me and follow the prompts.source
Keep more than one way to recover3 minAdd a second email and a phone number you control. Add new info before you remove old info. Changing all of it at once can restrict your account for 30 days.source
Turn on two-step verification5 minGo to account.microsoft.com/security and select Manage how I sign in. Under two-step verification, select Turn on and follow the steps.source
Add a passkey3 minOn your own device, open account.live.com/proofs/manage. Choose Add a new way to sign in or verify, then Face, Fingerprint, PIN, or Security Key, and follow the prompts.source
Go passwordless with Microsoft Authenticator5 minInstall Microsoft Authenticator and add your account. Then turn on the Passwordless account setting and approve the request in the app.source
Print a recovery code2 minOn the Manage how I sign in page, find the recovery code section and select Generate a new code. Print it and keep it off your devices. Any older code stops working.source
Sign out everywhere2 minIn your advanced security options, scroll to Sign out everywhere and select Sign out. It can take up to 24 hours, and it does not sign out an Xbox console.source
Check Outlook forwarding and replies4 minIn Outlook settings, check email forwarding, automatic replies, and connected accounts. Remove anything you did not set up.Unconfirmed, test pendingsource

Then do the 24-hour cleanup.

Free toolExposure CheckSee what of yours is already public.Free toolPassword Breach CheckCheck if a password shows up in known leaks.ReadEmail hacked: 7 immediate steps

07How it probably happened

Most likely
Someone took over the account and sent spam or phishing from it
How this scam works
Also common
Malware on your device using the account
How this scam works
Less common
A sign-in from a new device, app, or location that Microsoft flagged as unusual

Account taken, recovery details swapped

08Report it

Report a scam to Microsoft (microsoft.com/reportascam)

Lost money, being blackmailed, or someone is using your account to scam others? Report it to your country's cybercrime service too. If you are in danger, call your local emergency number.

United States

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)Report online crime, including account takeovers that led to money loss or extortion. The IC3 never contacts you first and never asks for money.
FTC ReportFraudReport the scam to the Federal Trade Commission.
IdentityTheft.govUse it if someone used your Social Security number or opened accounts in your name. You get a recovery plan.

United Kingdom

Report Fraud (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)Run by the City of London Police. It replaced Action Fraud on 4 December 2025. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101 instead.
Forward scam texts to 7726Free on most UK networks. Your provider can look into the sender and block it.
Report a scam email to the NCSCForward the email to report@phishing.gov.uk before you delete it.
Report Fraud: 0300 123 2040England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

India

National Cyber Crime Reporting PortalRun by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs. Reports go to state and UT police.
Chakshu on Sanchar SaathiReport suspected fraud calls, SMS or WhatsApp messages to the Department of Telecommunications. It is not for money already lost: call 1930 for that.
National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930Toll free, 24 hours. Call fast if money left your account: it can help freeze the transfer.

Canada

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: report onlineVictims and witnesses can report fraud or cybercrime online. Also contact your local police as soon as you can.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: 1-888-495-8501Toll free. The CAFC does not contact people to ask for money.

Australia

ReportCyberReport cybercrime to police. Your report may go to your state or territory police or the AFP.
ScamwatchReport a scam, even if you lost no money. The AFP also points people worried about identity theft to IDCARE, a free support service.
ReportCyber phone line: 1300 292 371Report concerns about cybercrime or cyber security incidents. If life is at risk, call 000.

09Questions people ask

Why did Microsoft lock my account?

Microsoft says accounts are usually locked when activity may break its Microsoft Services Agreement or Terms of Use. It lists malware, phishing, interfering with Microsoft systems, and spam.

Is a locked account the same as a suspended one?

Microsoft calls both "locked". If you get a Let's prove you're human option, you can unlock it yourself. If you don't, it was locked for suspicious activity or a Terms of Use issue and needs the reinstatement form.

How long does reinstatement take?

Microsoft does not publish a time. An agent reviews your form and contacts you by email. Sending more requests can slow it down.

Can I call Microsoft to unlock it?

Microsoft says support agents can't send reset links or change account details through general support. A locked account goes through the reinstatement form. Microsoft won't call you to offer support unless you asked.

Does a lock mean I was hacked?

Not always. Once you are back in, check Recent activity. If you see sign-ins or changes that weren't you, select This wasn't me and change your password.

Sources and last check

Last verified: October 16, 2026. Steps checked against the platform's own help pages listed below. Device testing is ongoing; steps marked unconfirmed are still waiting for it.

Microsoft account has been locked (read 2026-10-16)
What happens if there's an unusual sign-in to your account (read 2026-10-16)
Unblock my Outlook.com account (read 2026-10-16)
What is the Recent activity page? (read 2026-10-16)
Protect yourself from tech support scams (read 2026-10-16)
Avoid and report Microsoft technical support scams (read 2026-10-16)

Wrong step or changed screen? Report it. Never include passwords or codes.