How can I recover my account when stuck on phone verification with no working alternatives?

To recover your Microsoft account when you are stuck in a phone verification loop, you can try the following steps:

1. Use the Recovery Form: Since phone verification is not working, go to the official recovery form at https://account.live.com/acsr. Choose "I forgot my password" and follow the prompts. Make sure to provide as much accurate information as possible, including recent email subjects, folder names, and contacts you've emailed.
2. Alternative Verification Methods: If you have access to the Microsoft Authenticator app or another email account linked to your Microsoft account, try using those for verification. If the app redirects you back to phone verification, ensure you are using the latest version of the app and consider reinstalling it.
3. Contact Microsoft Support: If the recovery form does not resolve the issue, you can contact Microsoft Support directly. Go to Contact Support and select "Microsoft account & billing" followed by "Password reset or account recovery." You may be offered chat support or a callback option depending on your region.
4. Try Different Browsers or Networks: Sometimes, issues can be related to browser settings or network restrictions. Try accessing the recovery options in InPrivate mode or using a different browser. You can also try connecting through a different network, such as a mobile hotspot.
5. Wait and Retry: If you encounter limits on verification attempts, wait a few minutes before trying again. Microsoft may temporarily block repeated authentication attempts from the same user or phone number.

If none of these options work, you will need to fill out the recovery form and wait for Microsoft to verify your identity and assist you further.

References:

• I can't sign in to my email - Microsoft Q&A
• I need to speak with a real person and it seems impossible. - Microsoft Q&A

Hey there! Nice to meet you!

The error message, "Try another verification method" is an indication that your account is temporarily blocked from resetting your password.

You will need to perform these steps to fix the verification method error:

1. Perform a password reset via Incognito/InPrivate window.
2. If the phone number verification still doesn't work, wait exactly 48 hours to perform another password reset.

Important: Please make sure not to attempt to sign in or reset the password within that timeframe (48 hours), as this may reset the lock cooldown.

Also, I highly recommend checking the official Microsoft article regarding account blocks, particularly the "I see a Try another verification method message" tab: https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/troubleshooting-verification-code-issues-409090c4-92b5-42b9-8ae6-bcc97e62fc48#:~:text=If%20you%20received%20a%20Microsoft%20verification%20code%20that%20you%20did#:~:text=If%20you%20received%20a%20Microsoft%20verification%20code%20that%20you%20did

Lastly, account blocking is a fully automated security measure. Microsoft Support will not be able to assist you with unblocking the account as stated in this article, that they are not permitted to send password resets, access, or even change any details on the account:

https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/help-with-the-microsoft-account-recovery-form-b19c02d1-a782-dee6-93c3-dc8113b20c42

Thank you for your understanding! Please feel free to let me know if you need anything else.

Best regards,

Darhyl