Reset Outlook Password – Recover Your Outlook Account Safely

Knowing how to reset an Outlook password is important if you lose access to your Microsoft account. This guide explains the official and safe ways Microsoft provides to reset an Outlook password.

In most cases, the Outlook password reset process takes about 5 to 10 minutes, as it starts with identity verification, creating new passwords, and then signing back into your new Outlook on all devices.

How to Reset Outlook Password (Official Microsoft Method)

The official way to reset Outlook password is through Microsoft’s online reset page, which handles Outlook, Hotmail, Live, and MSN sign‑ins from one central place. This is the official process to reset an Outlook password when you cannot sign in to your inbox.

• Go to the Microsoft password reset page

1. 1. • Open a browser and go to the Microsoft account password reset portal (the “Can’t access your account?” or Forgot password page).

• Enter your Outlook email address

1. 1. • Type the Outlook, Hotmail, Live, or MSN email address you want to recover and complete the CAPTCHA if prompted.

• Choose a verification method

1. 1. • Select how you want to receive a security code: recovery email, phone (SMS/call), or authenticator, depending on what is configured on your Microsoft account.

• Enter the security code

1. 1. • Retrieve the code from your chosen method and enter it on the reset page to prove you own the account.

• Create a strong new password

• Enter a new password that meets Microsoft’s requirements: it must be at least 8 characters long, include a combination of different character types, and not be the same as the old password.

Password rules: Microsoft requires passwords to meet basic security rules, including minimum length and character variety (capital and lowercase) with numbers and characters, and no glaringly obvious or already compromised ones.

What happens after reset:

• Your old password immediately stops working, and the new one becomes the only valid credential for that Microsoft account.
• You will be asked to sign in again in Outlook on web, desktop, and mobile, and some sessions may be automatically signed out for security.

How Do I Reset My Outlook Password If I Forgot It Completely?

If you completely forgot your password, you still use the same official Outlook reset password page, but the difficulty depends on whether verification checks succeed or fail. The outcome depends on whether identity verification can be completed successfully.

When verification works:

• If you still have access to your recovery email or phone, the standard reset flow (code + new password) will usually restore access within minutes.

When verification fails:

• If you cannot receive codes or answer checks, Microsoft may offer an account recovery form where you supply more detailed information to prove ownership.

Reset vs. recovery form:

• A reset is automated: code delivery to a verified contact, followed by immediate password change.
• The recovery form is manual review: you submit additional data (previous passwords, contacts, subject lines, Xbox / billing details, etc.), and Microsoft reviews the information to determine whether access can be restored.

How to Recover Outlook Password (Why Reset Is the Only Way)

Most users search for a way to recover the Outlook password or the password for an Outlook email account, hoping to see the old password on the screen. However, for security reasons, Microsoft never shows your existing password in plain text; “recovery” is always implemented as a reset.

Recover ≠ retrieve:

• You cannot retrieve your current Outlook or Microsoft password from Microsoft servers; passwords are stored in an irreversible form.

Recover = reset:

• Every official recovery Outlook password path ultimately routes you to a password reset flow, either via standard verification or the account recovery form.

Microsoft security logic:

• Preventing password disclosure protects users against malware, shared devices, and insider threats, so the platform only confirms identity and lets you set a brand‑new secret.
• If you see tools promising to “show” or “reveal” the Microsoft account password directly, they are either reading locally saved browser passwords (like Chrome’s Password Manager) or are unsafe and should be avoided.

Reset Outlook Password Without Phone Number or Email

The most difficult scenario is when you need to reset Outlook password but no longer have access to your recovery phone or email, and you forgot your Outlook Password. In this case, Microsoft relies on the extended account recovery form, which is the final official method to verify account access.

Using the Microsoft recovery form:

• On the reset page, choose “I don’t have any of these” when pressed for verification methods to access the recovery form.
• Sign in with an alternate email address where Microsoft can send updates about your recovery request.

Information that helps with verification:

• Old passwords you remember using for this Outlook/Microsoft account.
• Names or email addresses of recent contacts, recent subject lines, or folders used.
• Approximate creation date of the account and any Microsoft services tied to it (Xbox, subscriptions, purchases).

Review timeline:

• After submitting, Microsoft may take some time to review the information and send an update to the alternate email you provided.
• You may need to wait a defined period before submitting another form if the first attempt is inconclusive.

What to do if rejected:

• Double‑check that you typed the Outlook email correctly and supply as much accurate detail as possible on the next attempt.
• If this is an organization account, contact your IT administrator, who can often reset passwords from the tenant side.

This path captures “reset Outlook password without phone number or email” and advanced recover Outlook password scenarios where the usual verification fails.

Reset Outlook Password on iPhone & Android

On mobile, the core reset process is identical, but device behavior after reset differs, which often causes sign-in prompts.

Reset via mobile browser:

• Open Safari or Chrome, go to Outlook.com or the Microsoft reset page, and complete the official how to reset password in Outlook steps as described earlier.

Outlook app behavior after reset:

• Once the password is changed, the Outlook app may show sign‑in errors or prompt you to re‑enter your Microsoft account password.
• Enter the new password, complete any extra verification, and the app will resync mail with the updated credentials.

Clearing saved credentials:

• If the Outlook mobile app loops on the old password, remove the account from the app and add it again using the newly set password.
• On devices using built‑in account managers, you may also need to update or delete the stored Microsoft account entry in system settings.

These steps directly address reset Outlook password on iPhone, Android, and related mobile recovery queries.

Reset Password in Outlook Desktop App (Windows & Mac)

The Outlook desktop app (Windows or Mac) cannot actually Reset Outlook password; password resets only happen on the server side (Microsoft or email provider). Outlook’s role is to store and sync whatever password is currently valid for your account.

• In the case of Outlook.com/ Microsoft 365 accounts, you have to complete the official Outlook reset password procedure, after which you have to re-sign in.
• In the case with POP3/IMAP providers (Gmail, Yahoo, custom domains), you change the password with the provider, and then change it in the account settings of Outlook.

Common sync errors after reset:

• “Disconnected” mailbox or repeated password prompts because Outlook still holds the old password cache.
• Failure to send/receive until the stored credential is updated or the profile is repaired.

To fix these, open Account Settings in Outlook, edit the account to update the password, or use Repair / re‑create the profile if the client does not expose a password field (typical for modern Exchange accounts). For organization accounts, contact the administrator responsible for managing the account.

Common Problems While Resetting Outlook Password (With Fixes)

When users attempt to Recover Password for Outlook Email, several recurring issues appear during the reset workflow. Understanding them helps you complete the process without locking the account further.

Code not received:

• Check spam/junk folders for verification emails, confirm that the phone number or alternate email shown partially on screen is still yours, and request the code again after a short wait.

Account locked or too many attempts:

• Multiple failed logins or incorrect code entries can trigger temporary lockouts; waiting the specified period before trying again is often required.

Verification loop:

• If the site keeps redirecting between sign‑in and verification, try another browser or device, clear cookies, or use InPrivate/Incognito mode.

If all automated options fail, Microsoft recommends using the recovery form or, for work or school accounts, contacting the account administrator.

What Happens After You Reset Your Outlook Password?

Understanding post‑reset behavior helps set expectations and reassures users that their data remains in place.

• Sign out on devices:

• • • Resetting your Microsoft/Outlook password may sign you out from some or all devices and apps, especially those considered less trusted, forcing re‑authentication.

• Email safety:

• • • Your emails, contacts, and calendar items remain stored on Microsoft servers and are not deleted by a password reset itself.

• App re‑login:

• • Outlook web, desktop, and mobile will typically show prompts asking for the updated password or will require you to add the account again to resume syncing.

This behavior reassures users who worry that recover Outlook password or outlook reset password might erase data rather than simply securing access.

Security Checklist After Recovering Outlook Password

After you recover Outlook password via reset, harden the account to prevent future lockouts and intrusions. This helps reduce the risk of future access issues.

Enable two‑factor authentication (2FA):

• Turn on 2FA in your Microsoft account security settings to require an extra approval step (authenticator or SMS) during sign‑in.

Update recovery information:

• Ensure your recovery email and phone number are correct so future Outlook reset password requests are fast and reliable.

Check recent account activity:

• Review recent sign‑ins and security alerts for unfamiliar locations, devices, or sign‑in times; secure or sign out of suspicious sessions.

Avoid password reuse:

• Do not reuse your Outlook password on other websites; use a password manager to generate and store a unique, strong credential.

If you need to change or reset your Outlook password in the future, follow the same official Microsoft reset process described above.