There are a number of possible explanations for why verification codes don't always arrive. Read through the list of the most common causes, and see if any of them apply to you, or use our troubleshooter to help guide you.

Contact Support. For technical support, go to Contact Microsoft Support, enter your problem and select Get Help. If you still need help, select Contact Support to be routed to the best support option. Learn how to manage your Microsoft account security info and troubleshoot verification code issues.

Sign in using Microsoft Authenticator. Microsoft Authenticator helps you sign in to your accounts if you've forgotten your password, use two-step verification or multi-factor authentication, or have gone passwordless on your account.

Troubleshooting verification code issues. Avoid and report Microsoft technical support scams. Learn how to unlock your Microsoft account and resolve 'account has been locked' error message.

Add, remove or update an email address or phone number. If you want to make changes to the email addresses or phone numbers associated with your Microsoft account, use our guided support tool below to help you update the right information in the right way.

Learn how to redeem a gift card, code, or Office product key and spend your balance at Microsoft Store online, on Windows, or Xbox.

The Microsoft Authenticator app helps you sign into your accounts when you're using two-step verification.

If your system is asking you for your BitLocker recovery key, the following information may help you locate your recovery key and understand why you're being asked to provide it. Important: Microsoft support is unable to provide, or recreate, a lost BitLocker recovery key.

Sending a message. If you haven't already set up messages, do the following: On your PC, in the Phone Link, select Messages. To start a new conversation, select New message. Enter the name or phone number of a contact. Select the person you want to send a message to.

Hotmail is now Outlook.com. Learn how to sign in to access your Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live, or MSN email account.