OneDrive Locked - Can't Be Unlocked

I try to connect to my OneDrive and get a message that it's locked. Okay, so I follow the directions to unlock it. I get to the screen where it says to enter my cell phone number to get a code to unlock. I enter my cell number, press the 'Send Code' link - and nothing. It doesn't send a code. As far as I can tell, it does nothing at all. It clicks like it's a link of some sort, but it doesn't send a code at all. Tried three different cell numbers, and it didn't work for any of them.


I've tried all MS' help options, none of them give any help and, of course, I can't actually get hold of anybody at Microsoft to talk to.


How do I get my OneDrive unlocked?

sygnus21 said:

Don't know if you solved this, but the phone number needs be the one associated with your Microsoft Account. Otherwise anyone can access your account by simply providing their own phone number.

Thanks, but I believe that's incorrect. MS' own documentation states that if the phone tied to the account can't receive SMS messages for any reason, then use the number of another phone, like a friends'.

Also, I've tried the phone tied to the account (among others).

Budfudder said:

Also, I've tried the phone tied to the account (among others).

Something to consider if you haven't already is install Microsoft's Authenticator App on the phone, run the set up and associate it with your MS account and phone number and see if that might help.


https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/account/authenticator

sygnus21 said:

You have a link to that specific documentation cause I don't believe that's the case.

Microsoft account security info & verification codes

At the end of the day I don't think you can not just use any phone number since Microsoft uses it as a way of verifying you own the account. If you don't want to use a phone number you can use email instead.

BTW, when you got the notification, was there a phone number / part of a phone already populated there?

Also, are you using two factor authentication - Microsoft Authenticator? If so, have you checked the Authenticator app?

From the email MS sent me today about how to unlock my OneDrive (my bold italics):

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You should be able to reactivate your account by verifying you are the account owner.

- log into the account via https://login.live.com

- on the screen that says “Your account is temporarily blocked,” click “Continue” to proceed to the next screen

- You will then be asked to send a verification code via text message.
- In the field shown, you can enter any phone number you have access to that is able to receive text messages. The phone number used in this case does not need to be one that is already on the account. If you do not have a phone number that is able to receive texts, consider asking a trusted friend or family member to receive the text for you on their phone number. The number used for this procedure will not be saved on the account. If you receive a message that the usage limit for that phone has been exceeded, please try a different phone number or try the next day.