Outlook Error Codes

Fix Office 365 Error 550 5.7.705 Tenant Exceeded Threshold

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing a complete business email outage due to the '550 5.7.705 Access denied, tenant has exceeded threshold' error, which persists even after securing a compromised administrator account.

Product: Office 365 / Exchange Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to send business emails after recovering from a security breach where an administrator account was compromised.
Observed behavior: Outgoing emails are blocked and bounce back with a non-delivery report (NDR) stating '550 5.7.705 Access denied, tenant has exceeded threshold'.

Before you start

Ensure you have global administrator privileges in your Microsoft 365 tenant, as you will need access to the Microsoft 365 admin center to open a support request and resolve this restriction.

Solution 1Recommended

Open a Support Request in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Because this tenant-wide restriction is placed by Microsoft to prevent spam after a compromise, only Microsoft Support can investigate and manually lift the block.

Error 550 5.7.705 is triggered automatically by Microsoft's backend security systems when a high volume of suspicious email traffic is detected from your tenant. Securing the compromised account is necessary but will not automatically remove the block.

Sign in to the Admin Center

Go to admin.microsoft.com and log in using an account with global administrator credentials.

Navigate to Support

On the left-hand navigation menu, click on 'Support' and then select 'New service request'.

Provide Error Details

In the issue description, explicitly state that you are experiencing error code '550 5.7.705 Access denied, tenant has exceeded threshold'.

Submit Compromise Documentation

Provide the business support team with the timeline of the administrator account compromise, proof of password changes, browser history clearance, affected mailboxes, and the exact duration of the email outage so they can verify the threat is mitigated.

Wait for Tenant Restriction Removal

Submit the ticket. Microsoft's business support team will review the provided details, confirm the tenant is secure, and manually remove the sending restriction.

Important: Clearing browser history or changing passwords alone will not automatically remove this restriction; direct intervention from Microsoft Support is mandatory to restore email functionality.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Your Document Needs During Email Downtime

While waiting for Microsoft Support to lift your tenant restriction and restore your email services, you can continue your essential business document workflows offline and locally with WPS Office. It is a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative to Microsoft Office.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the software on your device.
3. Open Your Office Documents: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Office files without any conversion.
4. Work Locally: Edit, save, and manage your documents safely on your local drive while your email server issues are being resolved.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Work entirely offline without depending on your cloud tenant's server status.Lightweight installation with a familiar UI to ensure seamless migration.Access rich document editing and PDF features completely free.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Error 550 5.7.705 mean in Office 365?

This error signifies that Microsoft has temporarily blocked your entire Microsoft 365 tenant from sending emails. This happens when their systems detect a high volume of suspicious or spam-like activity, usually resulting from a compromised user or administrator account.

Can I fix the tenant exceeded threshold error by just changing my password?

No. While changing passwords and securing the compromised account is a necessary first step to stop the malicious activity, the tenant block remains active until you contact Microsoft Support to manually review the security measures and lift the restriction.

How long does it take for Microsoft to remove the tenant restriction?

Once a support ticket is submitted with proof that the compromised accounts have been secured, Microsoft Support typically reviews and resolves the issue within 24 to 48 hours. Enterprise business critical requests can sometimes be expedited.

Where do I find the Microsoft 365 admin center to submit a support ticket?

You can access the Microsoft 365 admin center by navigating to admin.microsoft.com in your web browser. You must sign in with an account that has global administrator permissions to view the support options.

Microsoft Office Error Codes