Account & Password
Resetting Your M365 Password
This guide shows you how to reset your Microsoft 365 password yourself using the self-service password reset (SSPR) feature — so you can regain access even outside business hours.
Time needed
5 minutes
Platform
Microsoft 365
Guide steps
3 clear sections
Before you begin
You must have previously registered your mobile number or alternate email for self-service password reset. If you have not done this, contact the helpdesk to reset your password manually.
Follow along
Step-by-step guide
Start the password reset
- Instruction 1: Open a browser and go to portal.office.com or aka.ms/sspr.
- Instruction 2: On the sign-in page, enter your work email address and click Next.
- Instruction 3: On the password entry page, click Forgot my password.
- Instruction 4: On the 'Get back into your account' page, enter your work email address and complete the security image (CAPTCHA), then click Next.
Action map
Start the password reset
- 01
Open a browser and go to portal.office.com or aka.ms/sspr.
- 02
On the sign-in page, enter your work email address and click Next.
- 03
On the password entry page, click Forgot my password.
Visual guide
Use this visual action map alongside the written instructions above.
Open Microsoft account security help for Resetting Your M365 PasswordVerify your identity
- Instruction 1: Choose a verification method from the options shown. These were set up when you registered for SSPR — for example, a code sent to your mobile number, an authenticator app notification, or a code sent to an alternate email address.
- Instruction 2: Enter the code you received, or approve the notification on your phone.
- Instruction 3: If you cannot complete any of the available verification methods, contact the helpdesk for a manual password reset.
Set your new password
- Instruction 1: Enter your new password in the New Password field. It must meet your organisation's complexity requirements — see the 'Understanding Password Policy Requirements' guide if unsure what those are.
- Instruction 2: Re-enter the same password in the Confirm Password field.
- Instruction 3: Click Finish.
- Instruction 4: Sign in to portal.office.com with your new password to confirm it works.
Quick fixes
Troubleshooting
The 'Forgot my password' link does not appear
Self-service password reset may not be enabled for your account or your organisation. Contact the helpdesk — they can reset your password and enable SSPR for future use.
My new password is being rejected
Your organisation enforces a password complexity policy. The new password must meet minimum length requirements, include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and must not match a recently used password. See the 'Understanding Password Policy Requirements' guide for specifics, or contact the helpdesk.
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