Basics

12 reasons why Microsoft account doesn’t work in Windows 10 (and how to fix it)

by Jonathan Dudamel
10 min read

If your Microsoft sign-in fails, the most common causes are simple: wrong credentials, connectivity, or Windows settings. This article walks you through the 12 most frequent reasons a Microsoft account doesn’t work in Windows 10 and how to fix each one so you can sign in, sync settings, and use Microsoft services again.

You’ll learn how to check connectivity, fix credentials, repair system files and services, work around two-step verification problems, and when to contact Microsoft support.

Contents show

Key Takeaway

The fastest fixes are to verify your credentials, ensure a stable internet connection, sync date/time, and run the built-in account and system-repair tools (including sfc /scannow and DISM). If those fail, repair or reset account-related services, check Group Policy/registry settings, and contact Microsoft support for account lockouts.

Quick Fix Guide

Quick Fix Guide

Reason for the Problem Quick Solution
Incorrect password or credentials Reset or verify your Microsoft account password at account.microsoft.com and sign in again.
Network or internet connectivity problems Restart your router, switch Wi‑Fi to wired where possible, and run Network troubleshooter.
Incorrect date & time or time zone Enable Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically in Settings > Time & Language.
Outdated Windows 10 or pending updates Install pending updates via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and restart.
Microsoft services outage Check https://status.microsoft.com and wait or try again later.
Two-step verification issues Use the authenticator app or recovery codes, or update security info at account.microsoft.com/security.
Account locked or suspended Unlock via the account recovery flow at account.live.com/acsr or contact Microsoft Support.
Corrupted user profile or sync issues Create a new user profile or remove and re-add the Microsoft account under Settings > Accounts.
Credential Manager or stored credentials corrupt Clear relevant entries in Control Panel > Credential Manager and re-enter credentials.
Group Policy/registry blocking Microsoft accounts Re-enable Microsoft account sign-in via gpedit.msc or edit the registry key that blocks it.
Antivirus or firewall blocking services Temporarily disable third-party AV/firewall and test sign-in; create an allow rule if needed.
Damaged system files or services not running Run sfc /scannow, DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, and restart account-related services.
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Detailed Fixes for “Microsoft account doesn’t work in Windows 10”

Below are step-by-step explanations and solutions for each reason from the Quick Fix Guide. Follow them in order from simplest to more advanced.

1) Incorrect password or credentials

Why it causes the problem:
If the password is wrong, Windows won’t accept sign-in. Saved credentials can also become stale after a password change.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. On another device, open a browser and go to https://account.microsoft.com.
  2. Attempt to sign in with your email; if it fails, click Sign-in options > Forgot my password, then follow the recovery steps.
  3. After resetting, on the Windows 10 PC try signing in again.
  4. If Windows still uses an old password, go to Control Panel > Credential Manager > Windows Credentials, find entries for live.com or your account and Remove them; then reboot and sign in again.

Notes:

  • If you use an Outlook.com or Hotmail address, the same password applies.

2) Network or internet connectivity problems

Why it causes the problem:
Microsoft authentication requires working internet; captive portals or restricted networks block sign-in.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Ensure physical connections (Ethernet cable) or reconnect to Wi‑Fi using Settings > Network & Internet.
  2. Run troubleshooter: Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Internet Connections > Run the troubleshooter.
  3. If on public Wi‑Fi, open a browser to complete any login/captive portal page.
  4. Temporarily disable VPN: open the VPN client and disconnect, then retry sign-in.

Tips:

  • Test with another device on the same network to confirm internet connectivity.

3) Incorrect date & time or time zone

Why it causes the problem:
Authentication tokens are time-sensitive; incorrect system time prevents correct validation.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Open Settings > Time & Language > Date & time.
  2. Turn on Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically.
  3. Click Sync now under Synchronize your clock.
  4. Restart the machine and try signing in.

Notes:

  • If the PC is part of a domain, domain policies may set time automatically.

4) Outdated Windows 10 or pending updates

Why it causes the problem:
Old OS or missing updates can break authentication components or services used by Microsoft accounts.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
  2. Click Check for updates, install any available updates, and restart the PC.
  3. After reboot, attempt sign-in again.

Notes:

  • Major feature updates sometimes temporarily change account behavior; installing updates usually fixes these.

5) Microsoft services outage

Why it causes the problem:
If Microsoft authentication services are down, sign-in attempts will fail irrespective of local setup.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Visit https://status.microsoft.com or check Twitter for outage reports.
  2. If a service is degraded, wait until Microsoft resolves it.
  3. Retry sign-in later, or use a local account in the meantime.

Tip:

  • You can see specific service impact (Azure AD, account services) on the status page.

6) Two-step verification or security info issues

Why it causes the problem:
If two-step verification (2FA) is enabled and you don’t have the phone/app/code, sign-in is blocked.

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Step-by-step fix:

  1. Try alternative verification options: authenticator app, SMS, email, or recovery code.
  2. Update security info: Sign into account.microsoft.com/security using another device and add/confirm phone or backup methods.
  3. If you can’t access any 2FA method, use the account recovery form at account.live.com/acsr.

Notes:

  • Keep backup codes in a safe place; they are the fastest recovery method.

7) Account locked or suspended

Why it causes the problem:
Microsoft may lock accounts for suspicious activity or policy violations, blocking sign-in.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Attempt to sign in at account.microsoft.com; follow prompts to unlock.
  2. If prompted, complete identity verification steps (phone, email, code).
  3. If you cannot unlock, open a support request through support.microsoft.com or use the recovery form account.live.com/acsr.

Tip:

  • Provide as much information as possible during recovery (previous passwords, contact details).

8) Corrupted user profile or sync issues

Why it causes the problem:
A damaged local profile or broken sync can prevent settings and credentials from working correctly.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Create a new local admin account: Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add someone else to this PC > I don’t have this person’s sign-in information > Add a user without a Microsoft account; set admin rights.
  2. Sign into the new account and try adding the Microsoft account under Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts > Add an account.
  3. If this works, migrate files and settings from the old profile (copy from C:\Users\OldProfile).

Notes:

  • Back up important files before modifying profiles.

9) Credential Manager or stored credentials corrupt

Why it causes the problem:
Stored credentials in Credential Manager can be corrupted and prevent Windows from using updated credentials.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Open Control Panel > Credential Manager > Windows Credentials.
  2. Look for entries related to MicrosoftAccount or your email and select Remove.
  3. Reboot and sign in to the Microsoft account to recreate the credentials.

Tip:

  • You may also clear web credentials if web sign-in is affected.

10) Group Policy or registry blocking Microsoft accounts

Why it causes the problem:
On some PCs, local policy or registry entries disable Microsoft account sign-ins (common on enterprise or converted machines).

Step-by-step fix (Home/Pro with gpedit):

  1. Open gpedit.msc (Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, Enter).
  2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Account.
  3. Set “Turn off Microsoft account sign in” to Not Configured or Disabled.
  4. If you don’t have gpedit (Windows Home), open Regedit and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System and ensure any keys like NoConnectedUser are removed or set to 0.
  5. Reboot and retry sign-in.

Warnings:

  • Editing the registry is risky; back it up first (File > Export in Regedit).

11) Antivirus or firewall blocking services

Why it causes the problem:
Third-party security software can block the ports or services that Windows uses to authenticate with Microsoft.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Temporarily disable third-party antivirus/firewall (right-click its system tray icon and choose disable).
  2. Test sign-in; if it works, re-enable the AV and add exceptions for Windows services or processes (e.g., svchost.exe, wlms).
  3. Consult the security software documentation to allow login.live.com and related endpoints.
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Notes:

  • Never keep AV disabled longer than needed; re-enable it after testing.

12) Damaged system files or account-related services not running

Why it causes the problem:
Corrupted system files or disabled services (like User Profile Service, Windows Update, or Microsoft Account Sign-in Assistant) can break sign-in functionality.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Open Command Prompt (Admin): Press Win + X and choose Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  2. Run: sfc /scannow and wait for completion.
  3. If issues persist, run:
    • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  4. Restart the PC.
  5. Ensure account services are running:
    • Open Services (Press Win + R, type services.msc, Enter).
    • Locate Microsoft Account Sign-in Assistant, Windows Update, and User Profile Service; set Startup type to Automatic and click Start if stopped.

Tips:

  • These commands can take time; be patient and run them with admin privileges.

Additional tips and when to contact Microsoft Support

  • Backup important files before large changes (profile rebuilds or registry edits).
  • Use a local administrator account as a recovery option if Microsoft sign-in is blocked.
  • Keep recovery options updated in account.microsoft.com/security (phone, alternate email, authenticator app).
  • Contact Microsoft Support when:
    • Your account is locked and recovery forms fail.
    • You suspect account compromise or identity theft.
    • You need assistance with payment or subscription issues tied to the account.

When contacting support, have your account email, last successful sign-in time, and any error messages ready.

FAQ

How can I switch to a local account if Microsoft sign-in keeps failing?

Open Settings > Accounts > Your info and select Sign in with a local account instead. Follow the prompts to create a local username and password. This keeps your PC accessible even if Microsoft services are unavailable.

Will removing my Microsoft account delete my files?

Removing an account from Windows does not automatically delete files in other locations, but it may sever sync of OneDrive files. Back up C:\Users\ and any important OneDrive folders before removing the account.

Can corporate/education accounts block Microsoft personal account sign-ins?

Yes. Organizations manage devices with policies (Intune, Group Policy) that may restrict adding personal Microsoft accounts. Contact your IT admin for exceptions.

How do I check if my Microsoft account is compromised?

Visit https://account.microsoft.com/security and review recent activity. Microsoft will often prompt you if suspicious sign-ins are detected. Change your password immediately and enable two-step verification.

Is there a way to force Windows to re-authenticate my Microsoft account?

Remove the account from Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts, restart the PC, then re-add the account. Also clear credentials in Control Panel > Credential Manager first to force a fresh authentication.

Conclusion

Most sign-in problems resolve by verifying credentials, fixing network/time settings, updating Windows, or repairing corrupted files and stored credentials. Follow the step-by-step fixes above to address the 12 common causes of a Microsoft account doesn’t work in Windows 10 issue, and keep recovery options updated to avoid future lockouts.

About the author

Jonathan Dudamel

Jonathan Dudamel

I'm Jonathan Dudamel, an experienced IT specialist and network engineer passionate about all things Windows. I have deep expertise in Microsoft project management, virtualization (VMware ESXi and Hyper-V), and Microsoft’s hybrid platform. I'm also skilled with Microsoft O365, Azure ADDS, and Windows Server environments from 2003 through 2022.

My strengths include Microsoft network infrastructure, VMware platforms, CMMS, ERP systems, and server administration (2016/2022).

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