MFA & Verification Issues

How to Fix Office 2021 Verification Code Not Arriving

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is unable to sign in to Microsoft Office 2021 desktop apps and OneDrive because the two-factor verification code sent to their Hotmail address is never received.

Product: Microsoft Office 2021 and OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Signing into desktop Office applications and OneDrive using a Microsoft account that requires identity verification.
Observed behavior: The verification email never arrives in the inbox or junk folder for the desktop app login, though web browser login works properly using an alternative linked email address.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to a web browser where your Microsoft account is already logged in, and verify that your internet connection is stable before attempting to change security settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Add an Alternative Verification Method to Your Microsoft Account

Adding a new email or phone number for verification bypasses the inaccessible Hotmail address during desktop login.

By providing a secondary verification method online, you can force the Office desktop applications to offer you an alternative way to receive your multi-factor authentication codes.

Access Microsoft Security Settings

Go to the Microsoft account security dashboard in your web browser and sign in using the credentials that currently work.

Add a New Sign-in Way

Select 'Advanced security options', click 'Add a new way to sign in or verify', and choose to add an alternative email address or a mobile phone number.

Sign in to Office 2021

Open the Office 2021 or OneDrive desktop app, initiate the sign-in process, and select 'Show more verification methods' when prompted to use the newly added option.

Verification Successful: Once the new method is verified, Office and OneDrive should immediately authenticate and grant you access to your files.

Solution 2

Perform a Clean Reinstallation of Office 2021

If the desktop applications are stuck in a login loop or caching old credentials, a complete reinstall can force a fresh authentication prompt.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Account Login Hassles

If Microsoft Office 2021 continues to lock you out due to verification code delivery failures, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, hassle-free experience with robust local editing capabilities, so you aren't reliant on mandatory cloud verifications.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the quick setup wizard to complete the installation in minutes.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Microsoft Office documents directly, without worrying about format conversion or login blocks.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Free to use with a lightweight and fast installation package.Edit documents offline without mandatory complex cloud verifications.Familiar user interface requiring zero learning curve for traditional Office users.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Microsoft verification emails not arriving in my Hotmail inbox?

Verification emails can be delayed by server congestion, incorrectly flagged by strict spam filters, or blocked by inbox rules. If it is a known server issue on Microsoft's end, using an alternative email or phone number is the fastest workaround.

Can I bypass the verification code step in Office 2021?

No. If your Microsoft account has two-step verification enabled or detects an unusual sign-in attempt, authentication is mandatory. You must provide a code from an authenticator app, backup email, or SMS text message.

How do I clear cached Office credentials on Windows?

Open the Windows Control Panel, go to 'Credential Manager,' select 'Windows Credentials,' locate any entries starting with 'MicrosoftOffice,' and click 'Remove' to clear the cached login data.

Login & Account Issues