MFA & Verification Issues

Fix Phone Security Check Failed Error When Creating a Microsoft Developer Account

Chanuka Geekiyanage Sep 29, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to complete the Microsoft developer tenant setup due to a phone security check failure.

How to Fix Phone Security Check Failed When Creating a Developer Account

Product: Microsoft Developer Account
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up a Microsoft developer tenant or E5 subscription.
Observed behavior: An error message stating that the phone security check failed or the phone number did not pass security checks appears during registration.

Before you start

Ensure that the phone number you are using is active, capable of receiving international SMS messages, and is a physical SIM-based number, as Microsoft often blocks virtual or VoIP numbers during security verification.

Solution 1Recommended

Change Your Internet Connection and Retry

Automated risk checks often block IP addresses with suspicious activity. Switching networks can bypass this issue.

Microsoft's security algorithms may flag certain IP addresses, VPNs, or corporate network ranges as high-risk. This leads to an immediate failure of the phone check regardless of the actual phone number used.

Disconnect from Current Network

Turn off your Wi-Fi or disconnect from your corporate network or VPN on the device you are using to register.

Connect to a Mobile Hotspot

Enable the mobile hotspot feature on your smartphone and connect your computer to this cellular network to get a fresh IP address.

Wait Before Retrying

If you have tried multiple times recently, wait at least 24 hours to allow temporary security blocks on your Microsoft account to clear.

Retry Registration

Navigate back to the Microsoft Developer registration page and attempt the phone verification step again.

Browser Cache: Using an Incognito or InPrivate browsing window while connected to the new network can help prevent cached data from triggering the security block again.

Solution 2

Use an Alternative Eligible Phone Number

The original phone number might have been used for too many Microsoft services or flagged by the system.

Solution 3

Reach Out to Microsoft Support

If automated checks continue to fail after waiting and changing numbers, manual intervention by Microsoft is required.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft block certain numbers during security checks?

Microsoft blocks VoIP and virtual numbers because they are frequently used to create temporary, automated, or spam accounts. Always use a standard, SIM-based physical phone number from a recognized telecom carrier for developer account verification.

Does the phone security check failed error mean my number is permanently banned?

Not necessarily. It is often a temporary block triggered by your network's IP reputation or too many recent verification attempts. Waiting for 24 hours and trying again from a different network connection usually resolves the problem.

Can I use the same phone number for multiple Microsoft developer tenants?

Microsoft imposes strict limits on how many times a single phone number can be used to verify developer tenants or Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscriptions to prevent system abuse. If you exceed this limit, you must provide a different phone number.

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