MFA & Verification Issues

Fix OneDrive Sign-In: Verification Codes Not Arriving in Hotmail

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to access their OneDrive account because the required verification codes are not being delivered to their Hotmail recovery email, leading to an eventual account sign-in block due to excessive request attempts.

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to sign in to a OneDrive account that requires email-based two-step verification.
Observed behavior: Verification emails fail to arrive in the Hotmail inbox, and repeated attempts to request new codes result in a temporary sign-in block displaying a 'too many requests' error.

Before you start

Before attempting to request another code, check your Hotmail spam or junk folders to ensure the automated email wasn't miscategorized, and do not make further requests if you have already been temporarily blocked.

Solution 1Recommended

Wait for the Sign-In Block to Clear and Check Mail Filters

Allow the temporary 'too many requests' block to expire before investigating potential email delivery problems.

Microsoft implements a temporary lockout when too many verification codes are requested in a short period. You must wait for this block to lift naturally before you can successfully sign in or request a new code. Continuing to try will only reset the lockout timer.

Wait 24 Hours

Stop requesting new verification codes and wait a full 24 hours to ensure the temporary sign-in block is completely cleared from your Microsoft account.

Check Junk Email

Log into your Hotmail recovery account on a web browser and check your Junk Email folder for messages from Microsoft's account protection team.

Update Safe Senders List

In your Hotmail settings, navigate to 'Junk email' and add 'account-security-noreply@accountprotection.microsoft.com' to your Safe senders and domains list to prevent future delivery blocks.

Temporary Microsoft Server Delays: Occasionally, this issue is caused by a temporary delay on Microsoft's servers. If your inbox rules are correct, the emails may eventually arrive in batches after the server load decreases.

Solution 2

Set Up Microsoft Authenticator App

Switch your primary two-step verification method from email to an authenticator app to bypass email delivery issues entirely.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Hassle-Free Document Management with WPS Office

While you are waiting for your OneDrive account access to be restored, you can rely on WPS Office as a lightweight, free alternative. It offers built-in cloud storage and excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats without the strict verification 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 installation file and follow the quick setup instructions on your screen.
3. Start Creating: Open WPS Office and start creating, editing, or viewing your documents immediately, with the option to easily save them to WPS Cloud.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint document formats.Built-in WPS Cloud storage for easy document syncing, backup, and collaboration.Lightweight installation with a familiar, user-friendly interface.Free to use for local editing without mandatory complex two-step verification lockouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Microsoft verification code not arriving in my Hotmail inbox?

The verification code may be caught in your Hotmail spam or junk folder, blocked by strict inbox filtering rules, or delayed due to temporary server issues on Microsoft's end affecting multiple users.

How long does the 'too many requests' block last on a Microsoft account?

The temporary lockout typically lasts for 24 hours. You must refrain from attempting to sign in or requesting new codes during this entire period for the block to successfully lift.

Can I use OneDrive without two-step verification?

If two-step verification is enabled for your Microsoft account, it is mandatory for signing into OneDrive on a new device. While you can disable it entirely in your Microsoft account security settings, it is highly recommended to keep it enabled using an Authenticator app instead of relying on email.

Login & Account Issues