Windows RT unable to add/reuse Microsoft user account

Question

Recently, I need to add a user account to Windows RT (Surface 2). I got an error of

Sorry, we couldn't connect to Microsoft services right now. If this problem persists, search for "network problems" on the Start screen.

On the other hand, it lets me create a new Microsoft account (outlook.com / hotmail.com) and then I can sign in using that account.

I try to get around it by creating a local account and try converting the local account to Microsoft account but I am getting the same "Sorry, we couldn't connect to Microsoft services right now" error.

At this point, I am stuck. I have not found any news about Microsoft sign-in service being offline. Any ideas how I can fix that?

Answer 1

I found a thread that reports the very same issue.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfwinrt-surfupdate/cant-login-to-microsoft-accountreset-surface-rt/563b7108-1267-40be-84b8-2fe62b2e75be

The first incident was reported on 9/18/2017 and as of now (10/10/2017) it is still unresolved. It appears to due to Microsoft shutting down an authentication server used by Windows RT.

With a luck of the draw, I managed to convert my local account into a Microsoft account. I tried some many things so I can't tell which one does the trick. I signed in to Windows Store and after a couple of attempts, I was able to sign-in. And then, I installed updates. Subsequently, I went to Accounts and "connect to Microsoft account". It asked me for password and it worked!

However, I still have the problem of not able to add another Microsoft account. I am holding off from making any changes to the OS until I see reports in the above thread that the issue is resolved.

Answer 2

I had the same problem. At first all was working, and then it did not. So it must be a recent update I thought. And that it was. I removed KB3072019 and that solved my problem.