Have you encountered the “Alias can’t be added to your account” error on your Windows 11 device? Fret not! This is the sort of problem that has haunted a good many PC users; so, you shouldn’t curse yourself for having to deal with it. The alias error crops up due to a number of factors such as alias limitations, account restrictions, Microsoft server issues, and more. Having been on this very side of the fence a few times, I’m going to break down the 15 most reliable ways to fix Windows 11 alias error.
Fix Alias Can’t be Added to Your Account Error on Windows 11
What sort of culprits tend to prevent adding new aliases on Windows? Well, take a close look at these nefarious ones as they have a reputed history of invoking this classic issue:
- Microsoft server outage
- Alias already in use
- Unsupported email domain
- Account restrictions applied
- Too many aliases
- VPN or proxy interference
- Browser cache conflict
- Unverified account identity
- Network connection issues
- Outdated Windows version
In this guide, we are going to discuss solutions keeping in mind all these roadblocks. Hopefully, it won’t take long to sort out the error.
1. Check Microsoft Server Status
Bear in mind that if Microsoft’s servers are down, alias addition may not work as expected.
- To get going, visit the Microsoft Service Status page to find out if there’s an outage.
2. Use a Different Browser
Note that the browser-related issues can block alias addition. Therefore, I’d recommend you switch to another browser like Edge, Chrome, or Firefox and try adding the alias again to see if the issue is gone.
3. Disable VPN or Proxy
It’s worth pointing out that VPNs or proxies can interfere with Microsoft’s authentication process. If you are using a VPN service or set up a proxy server on your PC, disable it by going to the Settings app > Network & internet > VPN/Proxy.
4. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
Keep in mind that the cached data are also equally responsible for causing conflicts when adding an alias. So, wipe out the entire cache and cookies to eliminate the corruption.
On Microsoft Edge:
- Open Edge and click on the three-dot menu (top-right corner).
- Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
- Click Clear now.
On Google Chrome:
- Launch Chrome and click on the three-dot menu (top-right corner).
- Select Settings > Privacy and security.
- Click Clear browsing data.
- Choose Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
On Mozilla Firefox:
- Launch the Firefox browser and click the three-line menu (top-right corner).
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
- Under Cookies and Site Data, click Clear Data.
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content.
- Click Clear.
5. Sign Out and Sign Back In
If temporary session issues are triggering the problem, signing out and signing back in to your Microsoft account will help you solve the problem. There are multiple ways to get it done on Windows 11.
Using Start Menu:
- Click on the Start button.
- Click on your profile icon in the bottom-left corner.
- Select Sign out.
- On the login screen, select your Microsoft account and sign back in.
Using Ctrl + Alt + Delete:
- Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard.
- Click Sign out from the menu.
- Sign back in using your Microsoft account.
Using Task Manager:
- Log back in from the Windows sign-in screen.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click the Users tab.
- Right-click your account and select Sign off.
6. Ensure Alias is Not Already in Use
Make sure your email is not linked to another Microsoft account. Try using a different email or check if the alias is active under another account.
7. Use an Outlook.com Email
It’s also important to mention that certain domains may not be supported as aliases. Instead of third-party emails, I’d recommend you use an Outlook or Hotmail address.
8. Remove an Existing Alias
As there’s a limit to how many aliases you can add, remove all the unnecessary ones.
- To do so, open a web browser and go to Microsoft Account Management.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.
- After that, click on Your info at the top.
- Scroll down and select Manage how you sign in to Microsoft.
- Under Account aliases, you need to locate the email address you want to remove.
- Now, click Remove next to the alias.
- If the alias is set as Primary, you need to set another alias as primary before removing it.
- If prompted, verify your identity using a security code sent to your registered email or phone. Then, make sure to follow the on-screen instructions to confirm.
9. Enable Two-Step Verification
Since security settings tend to block alias addition, be sure to activate the two-step verification on your PC.
10. Verify Your Identity
- When attempting to add an alias, make sure to check Microsoft may require identity verification before adding an alias. Check your account’s Security Settings, follow the verification steps, and retry.
11. Use a Different Network
As network restrictions might hinder alias addition. It would be a well-timed idea to switch to a mobile hotspot or a different Wi-Fi network and try again.
12. Update Windows 11
Do not overlook the possibility that outdated system files could be interfering with account management.
- Go to Settings app on your Windows 11 device > Windows Update, check for updates, install them, and restart your PC.
13. Try Adding Alias in Incognito Mode
To prevent certain browser extensions or malicious cookies from causing the problem, try adding the alias in the incognito mode.
Microsoft Edge:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + N on your keyboard.
- Or, click the three-dot menu (top-right corner) and select New InPrivate window.
Google Chrome:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + N on your keyboard.
- Or, click the three-dot menu (top-right corner) and select New Incognito window.
Mozilla Firefox:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + P on your keyboard.
- Or, click the three-line menu (top-right corner) and select New Private Window.
Opera:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + N on your keyboard.
- Or, click the Opera menu (top-left corner) and select New Private Window.
14. Check for Account Restrictions
Ensure that your Microsoft accounts don’t have restrictions as they might be preventing alias changes.
- On your PC, head over to Microsoft Account Settings > Security > Now, check for any restrictions or notifications. Then, follow the instructions to resolve the problem.
15. Contact Microsoft Support
If nothing has worked in fixing the issue on your PC, there is a decent chance it may be account-specific. Hence, contact Microsoft Support and request assistance for alias-related issues.
Wrapping up…
There you have it! I guess you have taken control of the alias error on your PC. Let me know the tricks that have got the job done for you.
