Reset your password through the Xbox website

The fastest way to reset your Xbox password is through the Xbox account recovery page on your web browser — you do not need your console. Go to account.microsoft.com/security and select "Security info" on the left side. If you are already signed in, sign out first. Then click "Can't access your account?" at the bottom of the sign-in screen.

Microsoft will ask you to enter the email address or phone number tied to your Xbox account. Type whichever one you have access to right now. On the next screen, choose how you want to verify your identity: you can receive a code by email, text message, or security key if you set one up before. Pick the method that works for you and follow the on-screen steps to confirm it is really your account.

Once Microsoft confirms who you are, you will be taken to a page where you can create a new password. Make it at least eight characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol — Microsoft requires this combination. Write down your new password somewhere safe before you close the page, because you will need it to sign back into your Xbox.

Key Takeaways

  • You can reset your password on any computer or phone by visiting account.microsoft.com/security without needing your Xbox console.
  • Microsoft will send a verification code to your email or phone number to confirm you own the account before letting you change the password.
  • Your new password must be at least eight characters and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol.
  • After you reset your password, sign out of your Xbox console completely and sign back in with the new password to make sure it works.

What to do if you cannot receive a verification code

If the email address or phone number on your account is old or no longer works, you will not receive the verification code Microsoft sends. In this case, click "I can't use any of these options" at the bottom of the verification screen. Microsoft will ask you security questions you set up when you created the account — questions like "What is your mother's maiden name?" or "What was the name of your first pet?"

Answer these questions as accurately as you can. If you get three or more correct, Microsoft will let you reset your password without the code. If you cannot remember the answers, you can ask Microsoft to review your account manually, but this takes several business days. During that time, you will not be able to sign into your Xbox or access any games or subscriptions tied to that account.

Sign back into your Xbox console with the new password

After you have created your new password, go to your Xbox console and sign out completely. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide, then go to "Profile & system" and select your profile. Choose "Sign out" and confirm. This removes your account from the console so you can sign back in fresh.

Now select "Sign in" and enter your email address or phone number. When the console asks for your password, type the new one you just created. If you typed it correctly, you will sign in and see your games and friends list. If the console says the password is wrong, check that you did not accidentally turn on Caps Lock and try again. If it still does not work, go back to account.microsoft.com/security and make sure you are using the most recent password you created.

Reset your password from your Xbox console

You can also start the password reset from your console itself without using a computer. Press the Xbox button on your controller, go to "Profile & system," and select your profile. Choose "Password & security" and then "Change my password." The console will take you to the same Microsoft recovery page you would see on a web browser, and you will follow the same steps to verify your identity and create a new password.

The console method is useful if you are already at your Xbox and do not want to walk to another device. However, if your console is not connecting to the internet, you will not be able to use this route — in that case, use a computer or phone instead.

What happens if you forget your new password right away

If you reset your password and then forget it within a few days, you can go through the same recovery process again. Microsoft does not limit how many times you can reset your password, so there is no penalty for doing it twice in a row. Just go back to account.microsoft.com/security and start from the beginning.

However, if you keep forgetting passwords, consider using a password manager — a program like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the password manager built into your web browser that stores passwords securely and fills them in for you. This way you only have to remember one strong password to unlock the manager, and it remembers all the rest.

Troubleshooting: Your password resets but you still cannot sign in

Sometimes you will successfully reset your password, but your Xbox console still rejects it when you try to sign in. The most common reason is that you are typing it wrong — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital A is different from lowercase a. Try typing your password very slowly and check that Caps Lock is off. If you are not sure what you typed, go back to account.microsoft.com/security and reset it one more time to a password you can type more easily.

Another possibility is that your console has not synced with Microsoft's servers yet. Sign out completely, turn off your Xbox by holding the power button for ten seconds, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then try signing in again. If you still get an error, check that your console is connected to the internet by going to "Settings" and selecting "Network settings." If the connection is working but you still cannot sign in after waiting an hour, contact Xbox Support through their website — they can check whether your account has a lock or restriction on it that is preventing sign-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my Xbox password if I do not remember the email address on my account?

You will need either the email address or the phone number tied to your account to start the recovery process. If you cannot remember either one, you can contact Xbox Support and provide other information to prove you own the account — such as the serial number of your console or a list of games you own. This process takes longer than a standard password reset.

Will resetting my password sign me out of my Xbox console automatically?

No. Resetting your password on the website does not automatically sign you out of your console. You will stay signed in until you manually sign out or until you try to access certain features that require re-authentication. To be safe, sign out and back in with your new password to make sure it works.

What if I set up two-factor authentication on my account?

Two-factor authentication adds an extra security step where Microsoft sends you a code on your phone or email after you enter your password. If you have this turned on, you will be asked for that code during the password reset process. You will also be asked for it the first time you sign into your console with the new password, but only once — after that, your console will remember it.

Can I use the same password I used before?

Microsoft will not let you reuse a password you have used on this account in the past year. If you try to create a password you have used before, the system will reject it and ask you to choose a different one. This is a security measure to protect your account if an old password was ever compromised.

How long does it take for my new password to work on all my devices?

Your new password works when ready on the device where you reset it. On other devices like your Xbox console, it may take a few minutes to sync. If you sign in right away and it does not work, wait five minutes and try again. If it still does not work after 30 minutes, restart your console and try once more.