This article provides a fix if you are having issues related to the incorrect password in Outlook, which has been appearing recently for a number of users. The users would be prompted like this:
You’ve tried to sign in too many times with an incorrect account or password”
Table of Contents
Background: You’ve tried to sign in too many times with an incorrect account or password error
The use case when the error appears
The sign in too many times in Outlook error for Microsoft accounts has appeared recently in certain scenarios. Additionally, it seems like Microsoft has done something at their backend too since there are a number of Reddit posts on the issue. For example, if you are logged in to your Outlook or Microsoft account on two PCs and change the password on the first device, it will throw this error on your second PC when you log in to Outlook.
You can also get this issue randomly where you did not make any changes too in certain scenarios.
The easiest fix – setup Microsoft Authenticator and sign in using it
To fix this issue, a simple option is to setup Microsoft authenticator to sign in i.e. Enable 2Factor Authentication if you have not, yet. The steps for it are there:
- Download the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device first. Use the official links below to avoid fake apps:
- Android (Google Play Store): Download Microsoft Authenticator (Android)
- iPhone (Apple App Store): Download Microsoft Authenticator (iOS)
- Install and open the app, then accept the permissions.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account (or choose “Add account” if prompted).
Step 2: On your PC where you can sign in to the account, or the phone.
- Go to your Microsoft account security settings on a browser:
- Then select “Advanced security options” → “Add a new way to sign in or verify” → “Use an app.”
- Scan the QR code using your phone. Complete the verification by approving the test notification sent to your phone.
Go Passwordless as your account to resolve Outlook Incorrect Password issue
You can also make your account passwordless which should solve the “You’ve tried to sign in too many times with an incorrect account or password” issue fairly quickly.
- Go to the Sign in options page located here.
- Under Passwordless account, click Turn on.
- Setup Microsoft Authenticator app to seamlessly sign in or Windows Hello.
- Once you can login, you can turn off passwordless account if you want.
Also read about another Outlook issue here: Cannot download attachments from Outlook? Check out this known issue (April 2026) which came up recently.
Nothing works? Fill the Recovery form
If nothing works, the only option you have is to use the Microsoft account recovery form.
Help with the Microsoft account recovery form – Microsoft Support
Some tips to help you:
- If rejected, wait 24 hours, gather better details, and resubmit once.
- Use the same device, browser, and IP/location you usually sign in from; consistency matters.
- Submit the form from a trusted network you’ve used before (home or office Wi-Fi).
- Provide accurate recent passwords; even partial or older ones help.
- Enter exact account details: full name, date of birth, country/region as originally set.
- List recent activity precisely: last successful sign-in date, services used, approximate dates.
- For Outlook/Hotmail accounts, include recent email subjects, recipients, and folders you created.
- Add Xbox, Skype, or OneDrive details if linked—gamertag, console ID, or file names.
- Use the same recovery email/phone previously associated with the account.
- Avoid guessing; leave fields blank if unsure—wrong info reduces chances.
