There is an issue with logging into Hotmail.
There is an issue with logging into Hotmail.
I visited my Hotmail section today, since it's been active for a while. There was a notice at the top saying 'you need to sign in again'. Ugh, frustrating. I disregarded it and opened an email. 'Your email can't be shown right now.' Alright, I had to log in, pressed the button. A login screen appeared. I tried the password I remembered from last time. Then a new window popped up: 'We can't log you in' – a message from Hal 9000 reminding Dave about repeated wrong passwords. That was my first attempt. I retried, hoping the autofill would help with an incorrect password. Still the same issue. I clicked 'change your password', the only choice. Not quick enough. We must enter a code sent to my backup Hotmail account. Oh, it's annoying. I opened another tab, logged into the other account, and after signing in, the old account launched properly.
I understand that Microsoft's authentication process, which changes locations frequently, is outdated and inconsistent. I have two Microsoft accounts that don't work together well in the same browser, forcing me to log in incognito. If I were you, I'd also test logging into each account in incognito or another browser to confirm accessibility with the passwords. Switching recovery email providers might also help avoid certain failure scenarios.
Things have become much worse today.
It once blocked me from accessing my email and tried to send a code to the backup Hotmail account.
Now, when I attempt to log in with the other account, it still redirects back to the first account’s login screen.
Trying to enter "hotmail.com" opens a login window for the first account, but after clicking through to 'send a code,' it finally offers an option to log in elsewhere.
However, once I do that, I’m stuck again with the original account’s login prompt.
It’s a frustrating loop I can’t break.
I’m unable to reach my email and don’t see a straightforward solution.
Even worse, it was showing email headers—senders and topics—and then blurring them out. I visited Microsoft support and ended up with a ridiculous 'account recovery form' that asked me to recall exact email addresses I’d sent recently and the precise subject lines, after they were blurred. There was no space for names or explanations.