How to Unlock Your Account After Too Many Failed Sign-In Attempts

Applies to: Microsoft 365, Windows 11, Windows 10, Azure AD / Entra ID
Article Type: Troubleshooting
Last Updated: 2026-07-10

Summary

If you've entered the wrong password too many times, your account gets temporarily locked for security. This guide walks you through unlocking it yourself — or knowing exactly what to tell IT so they can unlock it fast.

Symptoms

• You see Your account has been locked or Your account has been temporarily locked to prevent unauthorized use
• The sign-in screen says Too many failed attempts. Try again in X minutes
• You're certain your password is correct, but sign-in is still rejected
• Outlook, Teams, or other Microsoft 365 apps show repeated password prompts that fail even with the right password

Prerequisites

• Access to the phone or email registered for password recovery (if Self-Service Password Reset is enabled)
• If your account uses MFA, access to your Authenticator app or backup method

Instructions

1. Wait for the Lockout Timer

Most organizations set a lockout timer of 15–30 minutes. After that period, the lock automatically lifts.

1. Note the time the lockout message appeared.
2. Wait the full lockout duration — do not keep trying to sign in during this period, as each failed attempt can restart the timer.
3. After the wait, try signing in again with your correct password.

TIP

While you wait, double-check that Caps Lock is off and you're typing your current password — not an old one. If you use a password manager, copy-paste the password to avoid typos.

2. Reset Your Password via Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR)

If your organization has enabled SSPR, you can unlock your account by resetting your password — even while locked out.

1. Go to https://passwordreset.microsoftonline.com from any browser (your phone works too).
2. Enter your work email address and complete the CAPTCHA.
3. Click Next.
4. Verify your identity using the method your organization set up:
   • Text or call to your registered phone number
   • Email to your alternate email address
   • Microsoft Authenticator app notification
5. Create a new password that meets your organization's requirements (typically 8+ characters with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols).
6. Click Finish.
7. Sign in to your computer or Microsoft 365 apps with the new password.

INFO

Not sure if SSPR is set up for your account? If the "Can't access your account?" link appears on your sign-in page, SSPR is enabled. If it's missing, your IT team hasn't turned it on — go to Step 3 instead.

3. Contact Your IT Team (If Self-Service Isn't Available)

If SSPR isn't available or the self-service process doesn't work, a lockout is time-sensitive — include the exact error text from the sign-in screen and roughly when you last signed in successfully, so IT can tell whether a device is still retrying your old password in the background:

1. Contact your IT helpdesk by phone, email, or chat — use whichever method is fastest.
2. Tell them: "My account is locked out after too many failed sign-in attempts. My username is [your email address]."
3. IT can manually unlock your account and optionally reset your password.
4. Once unlocked, sign in immediately and confirm access to Outlook, Teams, and any other apps you use.

4. Update Your Password Everywhere

After resetting your password, update it on all devices where your work account is signed in. Otherwise, old devices will keep trying the old password and could lock you out again.

1. Windows computer: Lock your screen (Windows + L), then sign in with the new password. If prompted, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Change a password to sync.
2. Phone (Outlook, Teams, Authenticator): Open each app. If prompted for a password, enter the new one.
3. Browser saved passwords: If your browser auto-fills your work password, update it when prompted or go to Settings > Passwords and update the saved entry.

5. Verify Everything Is Working

1. Open Outlook and confirm email loads.
2. Open Teams and confirm chat and meetings are accessible.
3. Open OneDrive and confirm file sync is running.
4. If any app still asks for your password repeatedly, sign out completely and sign back in with the new password.

Troubleshooting

WARNING

If your account keeps getting locked even though you're not entering the wrong password, a device or app may be using an old saved password. Check all phones, tablets, and shared computers where your account is signed in.

Symptom / Error	Potential Cause	Solution
Account locks out repeatedly without any sign-in attempts from you	Old password cached on a device or app	Check all devices (phone, tablet, other computers) and update or remove saved credentials
SSPR says "Your administrator hasn't turned this on"	Organization hasn't enabled self-service reset	Contact your IT team directly to unlock your account
"This verification method is not available"	Registered recovery method changed or expired	Contact IT to update your recovery methods, then try SSPR again
Password reset succeeds but you're still locked	Lockout timer hasn't expired yet	Wait the full lockout period (usually 15–30 minutes), then try the new password
Locked out of Windows and can't reach the reset page	No other device available	Use your personal phone to visit the SSPR page at passwordreset.microsoftonline.com

Related Articles

• How to Reset Your Microsoft 365 Password When You Are Locked Out
• How to Set Up Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR)
• How to Change Your Microsoft 365 Password
• How to Understand MFA and Prevent Account Lockouts

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