Send & Receive Issues

How to Fix Delayed SharePoint Verification Emails Arriving After Expiration

Khadija Khan Oct 16, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users are experiencing a 20 to 60-minute delay when receiving SharePoint verification emails, which causes the one-time passcode (OTP) to expire before it can be used.

How to Fix Delayed SharePoint Verification Emails Arriving After Expiration

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to access shared SharePoint resources that require a secure one-time passcode verification.
Observed behavior: The verification emails arrive significantly later than requested, rendering the 15-minute OTP invalid and preventing access to the shared files.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to your Microsoft 365 admin center or can readily contact your organization's IT administrator, as diagnosing mail flow delays requires administrative permissions.

Solution 1Recommended

Run a Message Trace and Inspect Mail-Flow Rules

Use the Exchange admin center to trace the verification email's path and identify where the organizational delay is occurring.

Often, emails arriving from external systems like SharePoint are held up by internal firewalls, strict spam filtering, or custom mail-flow rules. Running a message trace helps pinpoint the exact bottleneck.

Access Exchange Admin Center

Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center using your administrator credentials, then navigate to the Exchange admin center.

Initiate a Message Trace

Go to 'Mail flow' in the left-hand menu and select 'Message trace' to start a new tracking session.

Enter Sender and Recipient Details

Input the SharePoint verification sender address and the affected user's email address, set the time range, and run the trace.

Analyze Trace Results

Review the trace details to see if the message was delayed by organizational policies, third-party security software, or spam filters. Adjust your whitelist or mail-flow rules accordingly.

Run a Message Trace and Inspect Mail-Flow Rules

Whitelist SharePoint Domains: Consider adding Microsoft and SharePoint sending domains to your organization's allowed sender list to prevent future security scanning delays.

Solution 2

Open a Microsoft Support Request

Escalate the issue to Microsoft Support if the message trace reveals no internal organizational cause for the delay.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Collaboration

While waiting for Microsoft support to resolve your SharePoint email delays, consider using WPS Office. It's a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that makes document sharing and collaboration straightforward, bypassing complex one-time passcode hurdles.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
3. Share Documents Easily: Open your Office files in WPS and use the built-in share feature to collaborate instantly via secure links.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.Built-in cloud storage allows for simple link-sharing without complex verification delays.Lightweight architecture ensures fast installation and minimal system resource usage.Familiar user interface makes transitioning smooth with zero learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do SharePoint OTP codes expire so quickly?

Microsoft sets the one-time passcode (OTP) expiration window to approximately 15 minutes as a strict security measure to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive shared documents and organizational resources.

Can I change the expiration time of the SharePoint verification code?

No, the 15-minute expiration timeframe for SharePoint and OneDrive verification codes is hardcoded by Microsoft for compliance and security purposes. It cannot be adjusted or extended by users or administrators.

What should I do if I keep missing the 15-minute OTP window?

You can request a new code from the login portal. However, if emails are consistently delayed by 20 to 60 minutes, your IT administrator must investigate your organization's mail-flow rules or contact Microsoft support to resolve the server-side delays.

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