Account reset email sends into same loop and unable to recover account

The reset loop usually means the automated recovery/sign-in flow is not completing and is sending back to the same starting point. The only supported way to break out of this for a Hotmail/Outlook.com Microsoft account is to go back through the official recovery and sign‑in tools, making sure each prerequisite is met and that attempts are not rate‑limited.

Use these steps:

1. Confirm the account still exists and is typed correctly
   • Go to the normal sign‑in page and enter the Hotmail address.
   • If the message "The Microsoft account you've entered does not exist" appears, carefully check spelling and domain (for example, hotmail.com vs hotmail.co.uk). If it still is not recognized, follow the guidance in My username and password have stopped working.
2. Try standard password reset again (outside the email link)
   • Go directly to Recover your account:
     • Use the Recover your account flow described in My username and password have stopped working (this is the same flow the email link points back to).
   • Enter the email/phone/Skype name and follow the steps to receive and enter a security code, then set a new password.
   • If this works and you can sign in, immediately review security settings and update recovery info.
3. If the reset flow keeps looping or verification options don’t work
   • Use the Sign‑in Helper tool if two‑step verification is not turned on and the verification options shown are not recognized.
   • If the account is locked or suspended (for example, no Next button or a lock message), follow the instructions in Microsoft account has been locked and use the aka.ms/… link shown on the lock screen to submit the unlock form.
4. Use the Microsoft account recovery form (if normal reset fails)
   • Before filling it out:
     • Ensure there is a separate working email address that can receive messages about the request (friend/family or a new Outlook.com address created via Create one on the sign‑in page).
   • Then:
     • Go to the Account recovery form from Help with the Microsoft account recovery form.
     • Complete it from a device and location previously used to sign in to the account, if possible.
     • Provide as much accurate information as possible.
   • After submission:
     • Microsoft will email the result to the working email within 24 hours.
     • If the account is verified, follow the instructions in that email to sign back in. If it still loops, do not reuse the old link; instead, repeat the Recover your account flow directly from the sign‑in/reset page.
     • If Microsoft could not verify the account, the form can be retried up to two times per day.
5. If you hit limits or see too many attempts/lockout messages
   • If there are messages about too many attempts or daily limits on the recovery form, wait the full lockout period (typically about 24 hours) without further attempts, then try again from a familiar device and network.
6. After regaining access
   • Go to the Security basics page and review recent activity.
   • Change the password and review/update security info and recovery methods.
   • Follow the guidance in How to help keep your Microsoft account safe and secure (linked from the recovery-form article) to reduce the chance of future lockouts.

If, after multiple days of following these steps, the recovery form emails say the account is verified but the sign‑in/reset still loops and never completes, the only available path remains to keep using the automated recovery and unlock flows; support agents cannot manually reset passwords or bypass these systems for consumer Hotmail/Outlook.com accounts.

References:

• Help with the Microsoft account recovery form
• How to sign in to Hotmail
• My username and password have stopped working
• Microsoft account has been locked
• What happens if there's an unusual sign-in to your account