Fix Microsoft Account Apps Notification in Windows 10

If you see a persistent notification in Windows 10 telling you to “fix your Microsoft account” for apps, the issue is usually a stale sign-in token or a sync error. You can resolve it by signing out of the account in Settings, then signing back in; if that fails, re-entering your password in the Credential Manager or running the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter usually clears it.

What This Notification Means

The “fix your Microsoft account” notification appears when Windows 10 detects that one or more apps (Mail, Calendar, Store, OneDrive, etc.) cannot authenticate with your Microsoft account. It is not a security alert—your account is not hacked. Instead, it means the saved credentials or the token used to sync data have become invalid, often after a password change, a failed update, or a network glitch.

Windows 10 uses a single sign-on system: when you sign in with a Microsoft account, the OS stores a token that apps use to access your data. If that token expires or gets corrupted, apps lose access and the system flags the account as needing attention. The notification typically appears in the Action Center and may repeat until you fix the underlying issue.

Common Causes

• Password changed recently – If you changed your Microsoft account password on another device, Windows 10 may still hold the old token.
• Corrupted credential cache – The stored credentials in Windows Credential Manager can become outdated or damaged.
• Sync errors – Temporary server-side issues or a poor internet connection can interrupt the sync process.
• App-specific problems – A particular app (like Mail or Calendar) may have a broken connection to the account.
• Outdated Windows or app versions – Older builds may have bugs that cause authentication loops.

How to Fix It: Step-by-Step

Try these methods in order. The first one works for most people.

Method 1: Sign Out and Sign Back In

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I).
2. Go to Accounts > Email & accounts.
3. Under “Accounts used by email, calendar, and contacts,” find your Microsoft account.
4. Select it and click Manage.
5. Click Sign out (or “Delete account from this device” if offered).
6. Restart your PC, then return to the same page and click Add a Microsoft account to sign in again.

This forces Windows to discard the old token and request a fresh one. After signing back in, check if the notification disappears.

Method 2: Clear Credentials in Credential Manager

1. Open Control Panel > User Accounts > Credential Manager.
2. Click Windows Credentials.
3. Look for entries that start with MicrosoftAccount: or LegacyGeneric:target=MicrosoftAccount.
4. Expand each and click Remove.
5. Restart your PC. Windows will prompt you to sign in again when you next open an app.

Be careful not to delete other credentials (like network shares or web passwords). Only remove the MicrosoftAccount entries.

Method 3: Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
2. Select Windows Store Apps and click Run the troubleshooter.
3. Follow the prompts. It will detect and fix common issues with app authentication.

Method 4: Reset the App (if only one app is affected)

If the notification is tied to a specific app (e.g., Mail), try resetting that app:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
2. Find the app (e.g., Mail and Calendar), click it, and select Advanced options.
3. Click Reset. This will clear the app’s data and re-sync with your account.

Method 5: Check for Windows Updates

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install any pending updates, then restart. Microsoft often fixes authentication bugs in cumulative updates.

What to Do If the Notification Persists

If you’ve tried all the above and the notification still appears, try these additional steps:

• Remove and re-add the app account – In the Mail app, go to Settings > Manage Accounts, remove the account, then add it again.
• Use the “Verify” link – Sometimes the notification includes a “Verify” button that opens a browser to re-authenticate. Click it and sign in.
• Create a new local user profile – As a last resort, create a new local administrator account and switch to it. If the notification disappears, your original profile is corrupted.

If none of this works, your Microsoft account itself may have a security issue (like a suspicious sign-in attempt). Visit account.microsoft.com and check your security settings, change your password, and sign out of all devices.

Prevention Tips

• Keep your password updated – If you change it, sign out and back in on all devices promptly.
• Use the same Microsoft account for Windows and apps – This reduces conflicts.
• Run Windows updates regularly – They often fix sync bugs.
• Don’t use third-party “cleaner” tools – They may delete credential entries that Windows needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will fixing this notification delete my files?

No. The fix only refreshes your sign-in token. Your files, emails, and settings remain intact. However, if you choose to “Reset” an app, that app’s local data (like cached emails) may be cleared, but your online data is safe.

Why does this happen after a password change?

Windows 10 stores a token that is tied to your old password. When you change the password on another device, the token becomes invalid. Signing out and back in forces Windows to request a new token with your current password.

Can I ignore the notification?

You can ignore it temporarily, but apps that rely on your Microsoft account (Mail, Calendar, OneDrive) may stop syncing. Over time, you may lose access to certain features. It’s best to fix it promptly.

Is this a sign of a virus or hack?

No. The notification is generated by Windows itself, not by malware. However, if you notice other unusual activity (like unrecognized sign-ins), you should check your Microsoft account security page.

Do I need to reinstall Windows?

Rarely. The methods above resolve the issue for the vast majority of users. Reinstalling Windows is only necessary if your user profile is severely corrupted, and even then, creating a new local account is a less drastic first step.

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