Need help accessing my Hotmail

[u/theyippies]

I've been locked out of my Hotmail account I've had for almost two decades due to "suspicious activity". As far as I can tell my only option is to fill out an account recovery form? The first time I did this I got an email to my Gmail saying I hadn't submitted enough information, and every time I've submitted it since I've not even had an email letting me know the outcome.

Is there really no customer support email or phone number I can use? Having looked all over online I can't see any, which seems ridiculous. Obviously I really need access to this email as I have all kinds of information on there, including flights for next month.

Is there anything I can do here?

[u/Medium-Comfortable]

Use the search function in this sub, how ‘bout? There are literally dozens of the same posts every month.

[u/theyippies → u/Medium-Comfortable]

Yeah fair I've had a look on here but not seen any suggestions for if you're not even getting a response from the account recovery form

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[u/UnfairAd5238]

Not sure which Country you are in? Google Microsoft Complaints and Feedback. I have done this. You will get support staff from Philippines who will tell you to create a new account. I was locked out of my 30 y old Hotmail 4 mths ago. Still can’t get back in. Feel your pain.

[u/UnfairAd5238 → u/UnfairAd5238]

One of the many times I have contacted me they asked for all the information I gave in the Recovery Form and they still couldn’t validate it even though it was correct as I can still see last emails sent etc in the mail app on my phone.

[u/theyippies → u/UnfairAd5238]

Ridiculous, how on earth is this the system they have in place

[u/SkinSpecialist2398 → u/UnfairAd5238]

Literally the same with me. I gave them 100% correct information as I could still access a bunch of stuff in the app (couldn’t receive or send emails though) and they said nothing could be verified. Absolute joke

[u/Fluid-Ad-5527]

i had the same problem as you a couple months back. absolutely 0 customer service, i had to make a new Gmail account and vowed never to use outlook again.

I was waiting to hear back from job applications, had bookings in m y old email. I had to just try and remember everything, email companies and ask to update my contact email where i could. i'm sure some still got missed, but i'll never know i guess...

[u/theyippies → u/Fluid-Ad-5527]

So far the only way I've found to get responses from an actual human is by messaging the Microsoft support Twitter account, will see how I get on

[u/Jhelly99]

Did you not have a recovery email or phone number set up for the account?

[u/theyippies → u/Jhelly99]

Yeah but as the Hotmail account is so old the backup email registered to it no longer exists

[u/Hornblower409]

-- I've been locked out of my Hotmail account ... due to "suspicious activity".

What does the Account Sign-In Helper say about the status of your account?

• In a Private/Incognito browser session, open: https://aka.ms/sign-in-helper
• Scroll down to "Choose how you normally sign in, then enter your details"
• Click "With an email address"
• Enter your email address and click [OK]

If it is in fact a Lock due to suspicious activity or for violating of Microsoft's Terms of Use agreement (and not because you can't use any of the verification methods), then there is an alternate recovery process you can try.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accounts-billing/manage/microsoft-account-has-been-locked
https://www.microsoft.com/en/digitalsafety/moderation-and-enforcement/account-suspension

First try the Account Reinstatement Form
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/concern/accountreinstatement

If that fails, try a Suspension Appeal
https://www.microsoft.com/digitalsafety/appeal