Forum Discussion

bobbyeagle's avatar
bobbyeagle
Brass Contributor
Jul 31, 2025

Re: Can't get Microsoft to send code to email

I've had this issue as well, to my Gmail account. Code never arrives and is not in spam or junk.

2 Replies

  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    NikolinoDE
    Platinum Contributor

    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:

    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:

     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:

     

    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.
    • namedujour's avatar
      namedujour
      Copper Contributor

      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.