Remember how Forgot my password in Google led you to answer a security question in case you wanted to change your password? In today’s digital age, cyber threats have become increasingly sophisticated. This emphasizes the need to take proactive measures that are better than earlier, to protect our online accounts, data, information, and whatnot. To ensure this, Microsoft added a two-step verification method for users, which is a simple yet effective way to uplift their accounts’ security and build a wall that is difficult to bypass or break. But issues arise when the user does not receive Microsoft verification code text to enable access to the account and enable two-factor authentication. In this article, we will learn how to fix Microsoft not sending message verification. So, continue reading to solve verification code not sending error.
Ways to Fix Microsoft Not Sending Message Verification Error
When you or someone tries to change the password of your Microsoft would send you a verification code. It also sends a code to verify if the user’s account is being logged in from a different address, i.e., a new IP address. In case, not receiving security code for signing in or changing the password, we will fix this.
What is Two Step Verification?
Two-step verification or two-factor authentication, also known as multifactor authentication, is an advanced security measure that adds an extra layer of protection to the user’s account. It is like adding a second lock to the front door of your house to keep intruders out. This security feature is designed to safeguard a user from any form of security threats, including hacking and data breaches.
Enabling two-step verification requires the user to provide two forms of identification to access its account. For example, one could be the password and the other could be in the form of a unique one-time usable code sent to the user’s phone number or email address. This ensures that even if someone by any means obtains the password of user’s account and tries to change it would still need the unique code or else won’t be able to access anything without passing the second stage of identification.
Quick Answer
You can try to fix the network connection issues and disable VPN service to resolve the error. If that does not work you can try getting verification code with a different number:
1. Sign in to your Microsoft account and click on Your info.
2. Click on Sign-in preferences and then click Add phone number.
3. Select country code and enter phone number and click Next.
Reasons that Cause Verification Code Not Sending Error
- Inaccurate Phone Number: A user’s issue with Microsoft verification code text often arises from entering the wrong phone number.
- Expired Plan: If your mobile services have expired or if you do not have an active SMS service on your phone number, it is highly probable that you will not receive any verification text.
- You’re using VPN or Proxy: Virtual Private Network connects from a different IP address. Similarly, a Proxy acts as a medium that connects the user and the website. Both of these induce security risks and can be why you are not receiving security code for signing in.
How to Fix Microsoft Not Sending Message Verification Error
Here, we have shown methods to fix two-step verification code not sending error.
Method 1: Enter Number Once Again
There could be two outcomes to entering the wrong phone number. Either Microsoft would not detect any such phone number or the code is being received at the phone number entered by you, which obviously is not yours. Hence, you are not receiving the code you need to sign in to the account. Attempt once more and ensure that you enter the right phone number.
Method 2: Use Different Mobile Number
If in any case you have changed or phone number and the old inactive number was registered with your Microsoft account or you are not receiving it in your number even if it is the same one as registered, try sending the code to another number. For this, you would have to add an alternate number to your Microsoft account.
1. Sign in to your Microsoft account.
2. Click on Your info.
3. Scroll down and click on Sign-in preferences under Account info.
4. Click on Add phone number.
5. Select your country code and type the phone number. Click on Next.
If you receive the code, that indicates that Microsoft not sending message verification issue has been resolved. If not, follow the next method.
Also Read: How to Reset Microsoft Account Password
Method 3: Activate Mobile Services
It is imperative to ensure that your mobile services are active and up-to-date and that you have an active SMS service to avoid any inconvenience. If there is no active service currently on your number, recharge your number with an appropriate plan and instate the verification code once again.
Method 4: Revamp Internet Connectivity
If you are not able to receive Microsoft verification code text, check your internet connection and make sure there is no discrepancy faced in the speed of the internet. Turn off the data source once and turn it on again or reboot your Wi-Fi and connect the device to the router once it boots up. Once the internet speed is stable, resend the code from the Microsoft verification window. You might receive the code this time.
Method 5: Reinstate Mobile Network Connectivity
Let’s say you are connected to the internet through your Wi-Fi but the cellular connectivity on your phone isn’t optimal and is obstructing the messages to be received. In that case, to fix Microsoft not sending message verification, you will have to bring the internet to an improved state.
Option I: On Android
1. Pull down the notification center from the top of the screen to access the quick toggles.
2. Tap on Airplane mode/Flight mode to enable it.
3. Wait for a few seconds and tap again to disable it.
Once the phone gets back the network connection, you should receive the security code. Also, you should try resending it this time.
Option II: On iOS
To turn on Airplane Mode on iOS devices:
1. Open the Control Center on your iPhone.
2. Tap the Airplane Mode icon.
3. Wait for a few seconds and disable it.
Also Read: What Happens When Someone Calls You on Airplane Mode?
Method 6: Disable VPN
VPN shifts and changes the route of the internet traffic and hides the IP address. This often triggers security concerns and tries to nullify the objective of two-step verification. This could be a reason why Microsoft not sending message verification code when the user on its device is connected to a VPN server. To avoid the issue:
1. Press the Windows Key and in the search bar, type VPN settings.
2. Press the Enter key to open VPN settings.
3. Slide the toggle and disable the following options under Advanced settings for all VPN connections:
- Allow VPN over metered networks
- Allow VPN while roaming
4. Now resend the code.
Method 7: Disable Proxy Servers
A proxy server is a gateway that sits as an intermediary between the device and the internet. The services take flow through the proxy server, henceforth separating end users from the websites. Technically, this too induces a concern about security and can cause a verification code not sending.
1. Open Settings on the PC.
2. Click on Network & internet.
3. Now click on Proxy in the right pane.
4. Toggle off Automatically detect settings.
5. Click on Set up next to Use a proxy server.
6. Toggle off Use a proxy server in the pop-up.
Also Read: Fix Error Occurred While Trying to Proxy Request
Method 8: Enable Messages from Unknown Sources
Spam and promotional messages are not only irritating, but they also pose a significant threat to privacy and security, given the unsolicited links embedded or sent in these messages can be malicious and potentially compromise your personal information and leave you vulnerable to cyber-attacks. So, most users keep messages from unknown sources blocked on their phones and this can also be why you are not receiving the code. Disable the feature and resend the verification code again.
Method 9: Go Through Spam Folder
The Google Messages app for Android is the default messaging app in most Android smartphones. This app comes with a built-in spam folder that automatically detects and filters out unwanted messages. However, in this process it sometimes mistakenly sends significant messages, like the verification code message to the spam folder without notifying the user. The user might then assume that the verification code not sending is a fault with the Microsoft server. If you have the Google Messages app on the device by default, we suggest you check inside it once.
1. Open the Google Messages app.
2. Tap on the hamburger icon (three horizontal lines) on the top-left corner.
3. Tap on Spam and blocked.
4. Check if you have received any text that says Microsoft account verification code.
Method 10: Go Through Spam or Junk Mail Section
Other than Microsoft Not Sending Message Verification over SMS, a user can also opt for email as an option. If you asked Microsoft to send the confirmation code via email but are not able to see it:
Option I: On PC
1. Open the mail app on the device. In our case, let’s take the example of Gmail.
2. Click on the Spam folder from the Categories menu in the left sidebar.
3. Check if there is an email from the Microsoft account team with the security code.
Note: If you use Outlook, click on the Junk Email category and check.
Option II: On Smartphone
1. Launch the email app on your device. In our case, we are using Gmail.
2. Tap on the three vertical lines (hamburger icon) on the screen.
3. Check for the mail in all the categories like Primary, Promotions, Social, and Updates, and under labels like Important and Spam.
Also Read: How to Enable and Use Package Tracking in Gmail App
Method 11: Use Passwordless Account with Microsoft Authenticator (Not Recommended)
In the event that none of the aforementioned methods prove effective, it is worth noting that Microsoft also has a Passwordless feature that streamlines the process of navigating through passwords and verification codes. This eliminates the hassle and inconvenience associated with traditional password-based authentication methods like two-step verification.
1. Visit your Microsoft account website.
2. Enter the credentials and sign in.
3. Click on the Security option.
4. In the new window, click on Get started under Advanced security options.
5. Install the Microsoft Authenticator app on the smartphone.
6. Below Passwordless account under Additional security, select Turn on.
7. In the new pop-up for Set up your passwordless account, click on Next.
8. Again in the new pop-up for Set up Microsoft Authenticator app, click on Next.
9. Now follow the on-screen instructions of scanning the QR code on your device and so on to get access to the passwordless account.
Method 12: Reach out to Microsoft Support
If you do not want to turn on the access to a passwordless Microsoft account, this is ultimately what you can do if no method fixes not receiving security code for signing in issue for you is to contact Microsoft Support team. They may provide some additional information and troubleshooting methods to you.
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With that, we are finally at the end of the article. We hope that this guide was helpful and you were able to learn how to fix Microsoft not sending message verification issue. Let us know which method worked for you the best to solve two-step verification code problem. If you have any queries or suggestions, then feel free to drop them in the comments section below.