If you’re reading this, you’re likely facing the same frustrating issue I encountered: your Microsoft Outlook account is locked, and every verification attempt leads to the dreaded “Try another verification method” error with no alternative methods available. This comprehensive guide documents my journey through this problem and the eventual solution that worked.
Important Note: Throughout this troubleshooting process, it’s recommended to try all methods in incognito/private browsing mode to avoid cache-related issues that might interfere with the verification process.
Another Note: This text is mostly LLM generated from my original post here. Hope this to be useful for other users facing the same problem.
The Problem
My Outlook account was suddenly locked for unknown reasons. Upon attempting to log in, I received this message:
Your account has been locked
We’ve detected some activity that violates our Microsoft Services Agreement and have locked your account.
The system offered only one verification method: receiving a code via phone number. However, regardless of which phone number I provided (mine, my wife’s, my son’s), the result was always the same unhelpful message:
Try another verification method
That verification method isn’t working right now. Please try another method.
The catch? There were no other verification methods available.
What I Tried (That Didn’t Work)
Standard Login Methods
I attempted all available login verification methods:
- Password reset: Successfully reset the password using my recovery email
- Recovery email verification: This worked for password changes but still led to the phone verification step
- Authenticator app passcode: Used the QR code stored on my phone, but this also led to the same phone verification dead-end
All three methods ultimately directed me to the phone number verification step, which consistently failed.
Microsoft’s Official Troubleshooting
I followed Microsoft’s standard troubleshooting steps completely, with no success in resolving the issue.
Network and Location Changes
- Switched from WiFi to mobile data
- Used VPN to change location and IP address
- Tried different browsers and devices
None of these network-related changes made any difference.
Sign-in Helper Tool
I attempted to use Microsoft’s Sign-in Helper tool, entering my email address (ending with hotmail.co.uk). The result was:
Account check failed
Sorry, we’re experiencing issues checking your account.
Please try again later or continue with other self-help.
The phone number option in this tool produced the same error.
Account Recovery Process
I tried the “How to recover a hacked or compromised MS account” process. While I successfully changed the account password, logging in still resulted in the account lock message and the same phone verification failure.
The Solution: Microsoft Chat Support
After exhausting all self-service options, I contacted Microsoft’s online chat support: https://support.microsoft.com/home/contact.
The Three-Stage Resolution Process
First Support Agent – Initial Form The first agent asked me to fill out a standard form. After submission, technical support contacted me via email stating the case was closed and the issue should be resolved. It wasn’t.
Second Support Agent –The second agent asked for a much more comprehensive form to be complete, where I had to fill in details like:
- Old passwords I had previously used
- Email addresses I had sent messages to
- Answer to a secret question
- Subjects of most resent emails I have sent
This form was designed to verify that I was the legitimate account owner. But even after confirmation and verification, the same “Try another verification method” error persisted. The support agent suggested waiting 24 hours before trying again, but the issue remained unchanged.
Third Support Agent – Cache Solution The third support agent identified the issue as potentially cache-related. They provided this specific solution:
- Open an incognito/private browsing window
- Navigate to:
login.live.com/?nocache=1 - Attempt to log in through this specific URL
This time, the verification code was successfully sent, and I regained access to my email account.
Thanks to the chat support, some 5 hours of my time and a lot of patience I got this sorted out. I hope it helps some body else out there, left in the dark from microsoft (yes, with small letters), locked from their human right to access their own email.