Microsoft not allowing account name change

AuroraAshe · May 9, 2023

Exactly what it sounds like. For the last few months I have been trying to change my Microsoft account name to reflect my name change irl, but every time I've tried for the last 5 months I get "Service Unavailable, Try Again Later". I've tried everything I've seen online but it only changes local (computer) account name instead of my Microsoft Account name. I've contacted support multiple times and every time I've been told to do the same things every time, then told the service is temporarily down and try in 24 hours, then contact support again. The same thing happens and the support team blames whatever pc I'm using, despite no errors like this happening. Support also refuses to use the name I've explicitly asked them to use. I'm incredibly disappointed that even in this question they have more effective options to do the simplest things, as it just has a display change option at the bottom of the page. Unfortunately it only effects this site.

:)

Darhyl Mayte Amizola

Hey there!

Nice to meet you! I'm Darhyl, a fellow gamer. I'm sorry you are experiencing this. I am here to help.

That is quite odd. For us to isolate the case further, kindly use a different device such as mobile phone or laptop and then follow these steps:

The account name you change online affects the name that is shown at the top-right of your Start screen. I would suggest that you switch to local account and then change the name on your Microsoft account. Once you change the name, you can switch back to the Microsoft account.

Try the following steps to switch to local account from Microsoft account and vice-versa.

Select the Start Imagebutton, then select Settings > Accounts > Your account.

Select Sign in with a Local account account instead.

After signing with Local account, change the Microsoft account name and repeat the above steps to switch back to sign in with Microsoft account.

If this doesn't work, please try this instead:

Sign in to account.microsoft.com

Then go to Settings > Accounts > Your Info and click “Manage My Account” to access the page.

Once you’ve logged in, click on your name at the top of the screen.

Then look towards the bottom-right side of the first section — click “Edit name.”

Fill in your desired user name and the captcha in the popup, then click “Save.”

Please take your time and let me know if it works.

Reference links:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

https://www.howtogeek.com/787936/how-to-change-...

Note/Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Darhyl Mayte Amizola

Thank you for your response.

Kindly try to do the same on a different Microsoft account or borrow an account from a family member and change the account name for us to isolate the issue further.

You can also create a new dummy Microsoft account as part of our troubleshooting steps.

Please let me know if it works.

AuroraAshe

The exact same "Try again later. Sorry, we can't reach the service right now." error happens.

DapperCrane

If it was a Microsoft generated name you are allowed one change. If you made a free account and have no purchases tied to it I suppose you could create a new account.

Hactica

Why that would be buster?

Of microsoft can allowing eveyone to change name second time in case someone change worng name

Microsoft not allowing account name change