You can reset your Xbox password through your Microsoft account online, by phone, or through the Xbox app — the fastest route depends on whether you remember your username
If you remember the email address or phone number tied to your Xbox account, you can reset your password in about five minutes through the Microsoft account recovery page. If you do not remember either one, you will need to call Microsoft support or use the Xbox app on another device. The process is free and does not require you to buy anything or contact Xbox support directly — Microsoft handles password resets themselves.
Your Xbox password is the same as your Microsoft account password. Resetting one resets the other, so you will be able to sign into Outlook, OneDrive, Office, and any other Microsoft service with the new password you create.
Key Takeaways
- The fastest reset route is the Microsoft account recovery page at account.microsoft.com/security, which takes about five minutes if you have access to your recovery email or phone number.
- If you do not remember your email or phone number, you can use the Xbox app on another device to reset your password without entering either one.
- You can also call Microsoft support at 1-800-642-7676 (in the United States) to reset your password over the phone, though wait times vary by time of day.
- After you reset your password, sign out of all other devices and sign back in with your new password to make sure no one else has access to your account.
Reset through the Microsoft account recovery page
Go to account.microsoft.com/security in a web browser on any device. Click "Security info" on the left side, then scroll down and click "I forgot my password." You will be asked to enter the email address or phone number you use to sign into Xbox. Enter whichever one you remember — you do not need both.
Microsoft will send a code to that email or phone number. Check your email inbox or text messages, find the code, and enter it on the page. You will then be asked to create a new password. Make it at least eight characters long and include at least one number, one uppercase letter, and one lowercase letter — Microsoft will tell you if your password is too weak before you submit it.
After you create your new password, you can sign into Xbox when ready. You do not need to wait or do anything else.
Reset through the Xbox app if you do not remember your email or phone number
Open the Xbox app on a phone, tablet, or computer where you are already signed in to a different account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then click "Sign in with a different account." Click "I forgot my password" at the bottom of the sign-in screen.
You will be asked to enter the email address or phone number for the account you want to reset. If you do not remember either one, click "I don't have this info." Microsoft will ask you a series of security questions — usually about past passwords, devices you have owned, or people in your contacts. Answer as many as you can. You do not need to answer all of them correctly, but the more you answer, the faster the process goes.
After you answer the security questions, you will be able to create a new password right away. The new password takes effect when ready.
Reset by phone with Microsoft support
Call Microsoft support at 1-800-642-7676 in the United States. Wait times are usually shortest between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time on weekdays. A support agent will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions or confirming information about your account, then they will send a code to your recovery email or phone number. Enter that code, create a new password, and you are done.
If you do not have a recovery email or phone number on file, the agent may ask for additional information — such as the last four digits of a credit card you used to buy games, or the serial number of a device you registered to your account. Have that information ready before you call.
What to do after you reset your password
Sign out of Xbox on every device where you are currently signed in. On an Xbox console, go to Settings, then Accounts, then Sign out. On the Xbox app for Windows or mobile, click your profile picture and select Sign out. On the web, go to account.microsoft.com and click Sign out in the top right.
Then sign back in on each device with your new password. This makes sure that if someone else knew your old password, they can no longer access your account on those devices. If you see a device you do not recognize in your account's sign-in history, change your password again and contact Microsoft support to report it.
Protect your account after you reset
Add a recovery email address and phone number to your account if you have not already. Go to account.microsoft.com/security, click "Security info," and add both. If you forget your password again, you will be able to reset it in minutes instead of having to answer security questions or call support.
Turn on two-factor authentication to make your account harder to break into. Go to account.microsoft.com/security, click "Advanced security options," and turn on "Require sign-in approval." After you turn it on, anyone trying to sign into your account from a new device will need to approve the sign-in on a device you already own — usually your phone. This stops someone from signing in even if they know your password.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to reset my password?
If you use the Microsoft account recovery page and have access to your recovery email or phone, the reset takes about five minutes. If you call support, wait times vary but usually range from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the time of day. If you use the Xbox app, the reset takes 10 to 15 minutes because you have to answer security questions.
Can I reset my password on the Xbox console itself?
No. You have to reset it through the Microsoft account recovery page, the Xbox app, or by calling support. The console does not have a password reset option built in.
What if I do not remember any recovery email, phone number, or security question answers?
Call Microsoft support at 1-800-642-7676. They can verify your identity using other information — such as the last four digits of a payment method on file or the serial number of your console — and reset your password for you. Have your console or a credit card handy when you call.
Will resetting my password delete my games or achievements?
No. Your games, achievements, and game saves are tied to your account, not your password. Resetting your password does not affect any of them. You will still see everything when you sign back in.
Do I need to reset my password on each device separately?
No. You reset your password once through Microsoft, and it works on every device. However, you should sign out and sign back in on each device so that old sessions are cleared and no one else can use the old password to access your account.