Forum Discussion
Can't get Microsoft to send code to email
Microsoft chose today to force me to "reenter my credentials" so I can access my work on OneDrive from my computer. Microsoft promises to send a verification code to my email address to allow me to log in, but it never sends the code. There is no button to "resend code" - it just never sends it, so I have to keep closing the login window and trying to log in again, and requesting that code again. I think I've done that eight times. I have already spent 30 minutes searching the Internet for workarounds. No verification code ever arrives.
Here is the code Microsoft allowed me to copy from the login screen, without telling me where or who to send it to. I am posting it here.
Correlation Id: 17347ffa414e4f5cb33dae3b05f06be3
Timestamp: 2025-06-13T11:32:56.463Z
Someone please help me access my work from my computer. Someone also please tell Microsoft to address this. Thank you.
4 Replies
I've had this issue as well, to my Gmail account. Code never arrives and is not in spam or junk.
This can happen due to:
- Email deliverability issues to Gmail, especially from automated Microsoft systems
- Rate limiting or soft-bounce behavior if you’ve requested the code too many times
- Misconfigured verification settings on your account (e.g., missing fallback method)
- Stale browser token/session or corrupted Office credentials
- Gmail blocking the code as potential spam or phishing silently (yes, even if it's not in Spam)
Here are some suggested solutions from GTP. I apologize in advance, but it would be too time-consuming to list everything that could be possible.
Step-by-Step Fixes to Try
1. Try Logging In via Private Browser Mode
Avoid any cached issues:
- Open Incognito / Private window
- Go to: https://portal.office.com
- Sign in with your account
- Check if the code arrives this time
2. Try a Different Device or Network
Sometimes security policies block emails or access tokens based on:
- IP address
- Device ID
- Firewall or VPN settings
Try from:
- A different PC or phone
- A mobile network (e.g., hotspot)
- Browser with no extensions (e.g., Firefox or Safari in Private mode)
3. Check Your Gmail Account Carefully
Sometimes, Microsoft codes can land in unexpected places:
- Look in Spam, Promotions, or "All Mail"
- Use Gmail search:
makefile
KopierenBearbeiten
from:email address removed for privacy reasons
subject:code
- Check Gmail filters or blocked senders settings
4. Add or Change Authentication Method (If You Can Access Settings)
If you ever logged in on another device:
- Visit: https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info
- Log in if possible
- Add the Microsoft Authenticator app, a phone number, or backup email
- Set a more reliable method as default
5. Clear Cached Credentials (Especially if You're on Windows)
On Windows:
- Close all Office apps
- Open Control Panel > Credential Manager
- Go to Windows Credentials
- Remove all entries starting with:
- MicrosoftOffice
- msteams_adalsso
- AzureAD
- Restart your computer and try again
6. Sign in via OneDrive Web or Office.com First
Sometimes logging in through the web triggers the correct flow:
- Visit: https://onedrive.live.com
- Log in there — if successful, leave it open
- Open Excel/Word again and try to reconnect
No "Resend Code" Button?
That’s an unfortunate limitation. Microsoft’s login system doesn’t always expose this — it's session-based. You can force a “fresh” request by:
- Restarting your browser
- Logging in from another browser/device
- Or resetting the flow via portal.office.com
Final Tip for Gmail Users:
Sometimes the problem lies with Gmail rejecting or delaying Microsoft emails. To prevent that:
1. Add these senders to your contacts:
- email address removed for privacy reasons
- email address removed for privacy reasons
2. Remove any Gmail filters or forwarding rules that could misroute mail
- Hope this helps you a little.
What do you do when they don't send an email to an Outlook account? It's Microsoft's own app. You'd think they'd have worked out the bugs.
Refreshing doesn't work. Nothing works. I spent 12 years in IT, seven of which I was a software product manager. If I can't get this to work, it's Microsoft, not me. And they provide NO SUPPORT.
The problem began when my Internet service provider switched my signal to a tower in Detroit, a hundred miles away. Outlook began sending messages telling me that "someone" was attempting to log into my account in Detroit, and asked, "Is this you?" "No," I answered. But it WAS me because of the tower my provider was using.
So, Microsoft blocked me from Outlook, www microsoft.com, and OneDrive, and also wouldn't send me password reset codes. I can't even remember what I did to regain access - it's been months and I went through a whole gamut of things - but I could not reach Microsoft for help. I think someone at Microsoft must have seen a distress message I posted on this forum, and fixed a few things. I still can't access OneDrive, as far as I know (I stopped trying), but it's a pain anyway, so I'm using alternative backup. And still don't receive password reset messages. This was also on a new laptop, as well as the old one, so there weren't any issues with cache or any of that.
The only thing I can think of is that some admin must have seen my freaked out distress post and given me access to Outlook and www.microsoft com because I was suddenly in. But they did this without comment, and left OneDrive in the rubble.
Microsoft needs to provide responsive tech support. Two stars.
Microsoft might never send the verification code due to:
- Misconfigured security settings or policies in your org (common with work accounts)
- Email delivery blocked, delayed, or misrouted
- Microsoft account requiring additional verification methods (e.g., Authenticator app)
- Buggy session/cookie/token state, especially after recent forced logouts
Try Logging in via Private/Incognito Window
Sometimes, cached sessions break login.
- Open Chrome/Edge/Firefox in Incognito/Private Mode
- Go to: https://portal.office.com
- Try logging in there with the same credentials
- If it prompts for the code, check email again
This resets the session more reliably than just closing and reopening Excel.
Use Microsoft Authenticator App Instead
If possible, switch to Authenticator App as your verification method:
- Go to: https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info
- Log in with the same account
- Add Microsoft Authenticator or another 2FA method (like phone or backup email)
- Set that as default sign-in method
Now, login will no longer depend on that email code.
Check the Email Thoroughly
- Check Spam, Other tab (in Outlook), or Quarantine if using corporate email
You can also use:
https://security.microsoft.com/quarantine
…if you suspect it's blocked at the org level.Log in via the Office App or OneDrive Website First
Try logging into the OneDrive web app first:
- Go to: https://onedrive.live.com
- Log in with your work account
- If it works, leave that tab open, and then open Excel or Word again
This can help Excel bypass the broken token validation step.
Clear Office Credentials & Restart Login
Manually clear cached Office credentials:
On Windows:
- Close Excel/Word/Outlook
- Open Credential Manager (Start > Credential Manager)
- Remove all entries starting with:
o MicrosoftOffice
o msteams_adalsso
o AzureAd
- Restart Excel
- Try logging in again
On Mac:
- Open Keychain Access
If All Else Fails: Contact Admin
If you're on a work/school account, your Microsoft 365 admin can:
- Add alternative authentication methods
- Check Azure Sign-In Logs
- Temporarily disable MFA or reset your credentials
My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!
Hope this will help you.
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