Fix Microsoft Account Rejecting Email Addresses with a Plus Sign
Question details
Users are unable to use an email address containing a plus sign (+) for their Microsoft or Skype account verification or password resets.
- Product
- Microsoft Account
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to register, verify, or reset the password for a Microsoft or Skype account using an email address that utilizes plus addressing.
- Observed behavior
- The Microsoft account management website rejects the email address as invalid, despite the plus sign being permitted under standard email protocols.
Ensure you have access to your primary email provider's settings, as you will need to create and verify a standard email alias without a plus sign to proceed.
Use an Email Alias Without a Plus Sign
Bypass the system restriction by using an alternative alias or standard email address that does not contain a plus sign.
While plus addressing (e.g., username+tag@email.com) is supported by many email providers like Gmail and Outlook, certain legacy Microsoft account management systems flag the plus symbol as an invalid character. The quickest workaround is to use an address without this symbol.
Open your email provider's website (such as Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook) and log into your primary account settings.
Navigate to the alias or account forwarding settings and create a new email alias that uses only standard alphanumeric characters (letters and numbers) without the '+' symbol.
Return to the Microsoft Account or Skype registration/recovery page and enter the newly created standard email alias.
Check the inbox of your new alias for the verification code or password reset link, and follow the prompts to complete the account management process.
Report the Validation Behavior to Microsoft Support
Notify the product team about the inconsistent email validation so they can update their account management systems in future releases.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my email provider allow plus signs but Microsoft rejects them?
Many modern email providers support 'plus addressing,' which allows you to create unique email addresses by appending '+text' to your username. However, some Microsoft account management interfaces use older validation scripts that incorrectly flag the '+' symbol as an unauthorized character.
Can I use a plus sign in my Microsoft account password?
Yes, the plus sign (+) is widely accepted and recommended as a special character for strengthening your Microsoft account password. The current limitation only applies to the email address input field during registration or recovery processes.
How can I organize my Microsoft emails if I cannot use plus addressing?
If you cannot use a plus sign to tag incoming emails, you can set up inbox rules or filters within your email provider. For example, you can create a rule that automatically moves all emails sent from 'account-security-noreply@accountprotection.microsoft.com' into a designated folder.
