Microsoft is a major technology company that sells software, electronics, and computers around the world. As one of the largest companies in the world, it's no surprise that your help desk receives many calls every day.
Why do people call Microsoft support?
Customers call Microsoft support for a variety of reasons, including:
Help with installing software or setting up a computer or device
Questions about how to operate the software or a device
Troubleshooting Microsoft products
Assistance with renewing software subscriptions
Assistance filing a warranty claim
Referrals to authorized technicians and repair service providers
Best Practices for Calling Microsoft Support
Microsoft prefers that customers initiate support requests through the Microsoft website. Once on the "Contact Us" page, you will be presented with a menu of products and services.
Click on the icon that represents your product or service category and you will be presented with a dialog box asking you to type in your problem or question. From there, you'll receive some self-help tips and the offer to contact Microsoft via a callback or live chat.
When you request a callback from Microsoft, make sure you have information about your product or service handy. This information may include your order number or the serial number of your product. You should also have a pen and paper available so you can take notes during your call. These notes can be helpful if you need to escalate your case.
How do people feel about their calls to Microsoft support?
There seems to be a variety of opinions about the effectiveness of Microsoft technical support. In many cases, it seems that tech support reps are pretty good at troubleshooting and technical issues. Where they sometimes fail at work is when they are faced with issues with subscriptions, billing, and proper responses to complex customer issues.
Some customers report that Microsoft simply ignores their cases, which can be incredibly frustrating. Third-party consumer advocates have reported that even their efforts have failed when trying to deal with a serious violation of customer service etiquette by Microsoft technical support.
1. Customer Service Line
Dial 1-888-570-1595 to speak to a representative about your issues. If you are in the United States, you can call this number any day of the week at any time. Follow the directions you are given over the phone. When you contact a representative, tell them about the problem you are having and they can help you find possible solutions.
2. Online chat
Send a message to a virtual agent about your problems to find solutions. Go to https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus and click "Get Started" to open the chat window. Type a brief description of the problem you are having in the text box at the bottom of the screen. The virtual agent will provide a list of options to select to continue the conversation and narrow down the issue you are facing. Continue following the prompts until you reach a solution.
For example, you can type something like "trouble signing in to account" to start the chat.
If you want to start the chat again, click the refresh button in the upper right corner.
If you can't resolve your issue in web chat, type "request a phone call" in the text box to speak to a representative. They'll call you as soon as they're available so you don't have to wait on hold.
3. Twitter
Tweet @MicrosoftHelps for quick answers. Start your tweet with your Twitter handle so that Microsoft is notified when you send it. Briefly describe the issue you're having before posting the tweet to your feed. Microsoft will reply with a solution or ask you to send a direct message so that we can better explain the problem.
You can quickly access their Twitter page here: https://twitter.com/MicrosoftHelps.
Microsoft regularly tweets tutorials and solutions to common problems.
4. FAQ Page
Find solutions for the most common problems with any Microsoft product. Go to https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/ and select the service you're having trouble with. Scroll through the common issues listed and choose the one that is closest to what you are experiencing. Follow all the instructions listed on the web page to see if it works for you.
If you still can't resolve your issue, please follow the link on the page to start a web chat or contact additional support.
5. Microsoft Store Support
Call 1-888-570-1595 if you have a problem with a purchase. If you live in the United States, dial the number and follow the prompts you are given. Let them know about any issues you've had with buying, selling, or purchasing from the Microsoft Store. The representative will do everything possible to help you solve the problem.
If you need technical or download support, start a web chat with Microsoft Support to help you with your problem.
6. Xbox Support
Start a web chat or request a phone call for account or console issues. Go to https://support.xbox.com/en-US/contact-us and click the "Contact Us" button. Click the dropdown menu to select the service you are having trouble with. Then use the second dropdown menu to select the specific issue you are having. They will offer some solutions in a web chat, or you can ask to schedule a phone call to speak directly with a representative.
Web chat is available 24 hours a day every day.
Telephone support is available Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. m. to 5:00 p.m. m. PST, 7 days a week.
You will need to sign in to your Xbox account to complete the online form.
7.Business management support
Contact 1-888-570-1595 if you are a business account manager. You can get tech support any time of the day throughout the week, but billing support is only available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. m. to 5 p.m. m. PST. Please call the number if you are in the US and tell the representative about your issue and they will do their best to help you fix it.
The representative can send a verification PIN to your email if you're calling from a phone number you don't recognize.
You can find the support number for other countries here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/admin/contact-support-for-business-products?view=o365-worldwide.
If you are not a business account administrator, please use standard web chat support here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus.
8. Microsoft Advertising Support
Start an online chat or phone call if you're running ads with Microsoft. If you have questions about ads you're running on Microsoft platforms, please call 1-800-518-5689 to speak directly with a representative. If you prefer to resolve the issue in a web chat, visit https://about.ads.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-advertising-support and click "Chat Now" to open a new chat window.
You can call the helpline Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. m. to 6:00 p.m. m. PST.
The online chat service is open 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday, but is closed on weekends.
9. Microsoft Azure Support
Submit a ticket if you have a problem with your Azure account. Go to https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/support/create-ticket/ and click the "Create a ticket" button. Sign in to your Microsoft Azure account to access the form. Fill it out with your name, email, and a brief description of the problem you're having. A representative will contact you via email to help resolve the issue.
Billing and subscription support is available to anyone using Microsoft Azure, but you can only get technical support if you purchased a support plan.
10. Windows Developer Support
File a report online to get an email response. Visit the developer support site at https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/support/. Select "Contact Us" from the menu at the top of the window. Open the dropdown menu to select the main topic of the problem you are currently facing. Then click the "Submit an Incident" button that appears near the bottom of the window. Sign in to your Microsoft account when the new window appears so you can fill out and submit the form. A representative will email you with more information and help.