Microsoft support information verified August 2026.
Microsoft customer service covers many different products and account types, including personal Microsoft accounts, Windows, Microsoft 365, Outlook, OneDrive, Surface, Microsoft Store purchases, Xbox and business subscriptions. The correct support route depends on the product, the account used for the purchase and the specific problem.
Important: Microsoft does not use one universal customer service number for every product and account problem. Its official contact system may offer self-service instructions, live chat, a callback or another support option after you select the product and describe the issue. Avoid telephone numbers displayed in unsolicited pop-ups, emails or search advertisements.
Microsoft Customer Service and Official Support Options
| Support option | Official contact | Best used for |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Contact Support | Open Microsoft Contact Support | Windows, Microsoft 365, Outlook, OneDrive, Surface, Store and general product support |
| Official telephone directory | View Microsoft support numbers by region | Finding a Microsoft-published number for the appropriate country or territory |
| Microsoft Sign-in Helper | Open the Sign-in Helper | Forgotten usernames, passwords, security codes and other sign-in problems |
| Account recovery | Review the account-recovery process | Personal Microsoft accounts that cannot be recovered through the normal password-reset process |
| Microsoft Store order history | View orders and purchases | Orders, cancellations, returns, refunds, payment problems and purchase history |
| Xbox Support | Contact Xbox Support | Xbox consoles, Game Pass, games, subscriptions, billing and enforcement questions |
| Microsoft 365 business support | Open the Microsoft 365 Admin Center | Business subscription, tenant, billing, Exchange, Teams and organization-wide technical problems |
Which Microsoft Support Option Should You Use?
| Problem | Recommended first step |
|---|---|
| You forgot your password or username | Use the Microsoft Sign-in Helper |
| You no longer have access to the recovery email or telephone number | Follow the account-recovery instructions and complete the recovery form |
| Your account may have been hacked | Scan the device for malware, reset the password and review the account’s security settings |
| Your Microsoft account is locked | Sign in and follow Microsoft’s security-code or account-reinstatement instructions |
| You need to cancel a Store order | Open Microsoft Order History and look for the Cancel item option |
| You need a refund or product return | Locate the purchase in Order History and check whether Request a return or Request a refund is available |
| You were charged for Microsoft 365, OneDrive or another subscription | Sign into Services & subscriptions using the account that made the purchase |
| Xbox, Game Pass or game billing problem | Use Xbox Support rather than the general Microsoft contact page |
| Work or school account problem | Contact the organization’s IT administrator; administrators can open a request in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center |
Bing Search Help, Feedback and Reporting a Concern
For a Bing search problem, start with Microsoft Bing Help. It covers search settings, search history, SafeSearch and related search features. Identify the search query, affected result URL, device and browser when describing a problem.
- Search feedback or an error: Use the Feedback link at the bottom of Bing to describe the search experience or incorrect information.
- Report a result or another concern: Follow Microsoft’s Bing reporting instructions and the relevant reporting form. Include the specific page or result URL. A report does not guarantee removal, and removal from Bing does not remove the original website’s content.
- Advertising: Sign in through Microsoft Advertising for ad-account, campaign or advertising-billing support. Ordinary search feedback is not an advertising support ticket.
- Microsoft account or subscription: Use the account-recovery or billing routes below for sign-in and subscription problems. The general Microsoft contact number on this page is not identified as a dedicated Bing search-support line.
Where should I report an incorrect Bing search result?
Use Bing’s Feedback option for a search error, or the official Bing reporting guide for a concern about a specific result. Include its URL and explain the issue.
Bing support routes checked October 23, 2026.
Microsoft Account Recovery and Sign-In Help
Microsoft recommends starting with its Sign-in Helper. If the normal password-reset process does not work, the account-recovery form may be the next option.
Before completing the recovery form, gather as much account information as possible:
- A working email address Microsoft can use to contact you
- Previous passwords associated with the account
- The approximate date the account was created
- Names of Microsoft products and subscriptions used with the account
- Recent email contacts or subject lines, when recovering an Outlook or Hotmail account
- Billing or purchase information associated with Microsoft services
- Xbox console or account information, if applicable
Complete the form from a device and location previously used with the account when possible. Microsoft generally sends the result to the working contact email provided on the form within 24 hours. If the request is unsuccessful, Microsoft permits another attempt, up to two attempts per day.
Two-step verification warning: If two-step verification is enabled and you cannot access any of the registered verification methods, Microsoft support representatives cannot bypass the security requirement or manually change protected account details.
Hacked or Compromised Microsoft Accounts
If you believe someone has accessed your Microsoft account, Microsoft recommends scanning the device for viruses or malware before changing the password. This helps prevent a malicious program from capturing the replacement password.
After securing the device:
- Change or reset the Microsoft account password.
- Review recent sign-in activity.
- Remove unfamiliar recovery addresses, telephone numbers and connected devices.
- Review Outlook forwarding rules and automatic replies.
- Check Microsoft Store and Xbox purchase history for unauthorized charges.
- Enable stronger account security and keep recovery information current.
See Microsoft’s official compromised-account recovery instructions.
Microsoft Store Orders, Returns and Refunds
Microsoft Store orders should normally be managed through the Microsoft account used for the purchase. Open Microsoft Order History to locate the transaction.
Depending on the product and its status, the order page may provide options to:
- Cancel an unshipped order or pre-order
- Track a physical shipment
- Request a return or exchange
- Request a refund for an eligible digital purchase
- Check the status of an existing return or refund
If a cancellation option is missing, the order may have already been charged or shipped. Review Microsoft’s order-cancellation instructions before opening a support request.
Microsoft 365 Subscription and Billing Help
Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Copilot Pro and other personal subscriptions are managed under the Microsoft account that purchased the service. Sign in to Microsoft Services & subscriptions to review renewal dates, recurring billing and cancellation options.
If a subscription does not appear, verify that you are signed into the correct Microsoft account. Purchases made through Apple or Google may need to be managed through the respective app store rather than Microsoft.
Cancellation does not always produce an automatic refund. Eligibility depends on the product, purchase date, billing status, location and applicable Microsoft terms.
Office 2021 and Publisher: What Support Is Available After October 2026?
Office 2021 support ended October 13, 2026. Microsoft no longer provides Office 2021 technical support, software updates, security fixes or phone/chat technical assistance for that unsupported product. Already installed apps may continue to run, but doing so can carry increasing security and compatibility risks. Check Microsoft’s Office 2021 end-of-support guidance for upgrade options. Account and purchase support for other eligible Microsoft products is a separate matter.
Publisher availability depends on how it was licensed. Microsoft began removing Publisher from Microsoft 365 on or shortly after October 1, 2026 as updates rolled out; affected Microsoft 365 users can no longer rely on opening Publisher or its files through that app. Support for perpetual Publisher ended October 13, 2026; an installed perpetual-license copy may still run, but without Microsoft’s ongoing support or security updates. The earlier preparation deadline has passed. If Publisher is already unavailable, do not follow instructions that assume you can open it to export a file; check Microsoft’s official guidance and appropriate support route instead.
Use Microsoft Contact Support for account or purchase questions. Work and school users should contact their IT administrator; Microsoft 365 administrators can open a service request through the Admin Center.
Can I still contact Microsoft after Office 2021 support ends?
Use official support for current account or purchase questions, but do not expect phone or chat technical support for unsupported Office 2021. Available help depends on the product, account and issue.
Office 2021 and Publisher lifecycle guidance verified October 14, 2026, after the October 13 support cutoff. Next editorial review: October 21, 2026, or sooner if Microsoft’s published support or rollout guidance materially changes.
Windows and Surface Support
For Windows activation, update errors, device drivers, Microsoft Defender, installation problems and other Windows issues, start with Microsoft Windows Support.
Surface owners can use Microsoft Surface Support for device troubleshooting, warranty information, repair options and service orders. Record the device serial number before beginning a warranty or repair request.
Xbox and Game Pass Support
Xbox maintains its own support system for console problems, Game Pass, subscriptions, enforcement questions, digital games, refunds and Xbox network issues.
Check the Xbox status page before troubleshooting connection or sign-in problems. A service outage may affect many users and may not be caused by the console or home network.
Microsoft Work and School Account Support
Work and school accounts are controlled by the organization that issued them. Microsoft’s consumer account-recovery form generally cannot reset an organization-managed account.
Employees and students should contact their organization’s IT administrator. Microsoft 365 administrators can sign into the Microsoft 365 Admin Center and select Support or Help & support to create a service request.
Microsoft Technical-Support Scam Warning
Microsoft says it does not make unsolicited calls offering technical support.
Do not call a telephone number displayed in an unexpected security pop-up. Do not give an unknown caller remote access to your computer, passwords, verification codes, gift-card numbers or payment information.
If a caller or pop-up claims your computer is infected, close the window and access Microsoft Support by typing the official address into the browser yourself. Microsoft provides additional guidance for avoiding and reporting technical-support scams.
How to Escalate a Microsoft Support Problem
- Sign into the Microsoft account connected to the product or purchase.
- Use Microsoft Contact Support and select the exact product and issue.
- Save the support case number, chat transcript and representative’s instructions.
- For Store disputes, save the order number, transaction date and refund or cancellation status.
- For recurring technical problems, document error codes, screenshots, device model and troubleshooting already completed.
- For Microsoft 365 business problems, have an administrator open the request through the Admin Center.
- If a support route fails, reopen the case and reference the original case number rather than starting without the prior history.
Information to Have Ready
Preparing the following information can make Microsoft support more efficient:
- The Microsoft account email address, without posting it publicly
- Product name and subscription type
- Order number or transaction date
- Windows version, device model or Surface serial number
- Complete error message or error code
- Dates and approximate times the problem occurred
- Previous support case numbers
- Screenshots with passwords and personal information removed
Microsoft Customer Service Reviews and Complaints
Have you contacted Microsoft about an account, Windows, Microsoft 365, Surface, Store or Xbox problem? Share which official support route you used, whether you received chat or callback assistance, how long the process took and whether the issue was resolved.
Do not post passwords, verification codes, recovery email addresses, telephone numbers, product keys, payment details or other sensitive account information in a public review.
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Independent resource: CustomerServiceNumbers.com is not affiliated with Microsoft. Microsoft, Windows, Microsoft 365, Surface, Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox and Game Pass are trademarks or service names associated with Microsoft Corporation. Contact methods, eligibility rules and support availability can change. Confirm important information on Microsoft’s official websites.