Xbox Error Code 0x80048821 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error 0x80048821 means your Microsoft account password has expired or needs to be changed. Your Xbox cannot sign in because the credentials are no longer valid. Resetting your password on a PC or phone will fix this quickly.

Affected Models

Xbox One
Xbox One S
Xbox One X
Xbox Series S
Xbox Series X

Common Causes

Your Microsoft account password has expired due to security policies
You recently changed your Microsoft account password on another device
Your account was flagged for unusual activity and Microsoft forced a password reset
You are entering an old password that no longer matches your account
Your account has been compromised and someone else changed the password

How to Fix It

Reset your password on a PC or phone. Go to account.microsoft.com, click 'Sign In,' then click 'Forgot my password.' Follow the steps to reset it using your email or phone number.

You cannot reset your password directly on the Xbox — you must use a browser on another device.
After resetting the password, go back to your Xbox. Press the Xbox button, go to Profile & System > Settings > Account > Sign-in, Security & Passkey, and sign in with the new password.

Your Xbox may ask you to sign in again after the password change.
Check if someone else changed your password. Look for any unusual sign-in notifications in your Microsoft account's Security section. If your account was hacked, secure it immediately.

Go to account.microsoft.com > Security > Review recent activity to see all recent sign-ins.
Enable two-step verification on your Microsoft account to prevent future unauthorized access. Go to account.microsoft.com > Security > Advanced Security Options.

Two-step verification means even if someone knows your password, they cannot sign in without your phone.
After signing back in on Xbox, check that your account settings and subscriptions (Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Live Gold) are intact.

Your subscriptions, game library, and saved data are not affected by a password reset.

When to Call a Professional

Error 0x80048821 does not require professional help. If you cannot access the email address linked to your Microsoft account to reset your password, contact Microsoft Support. They have an account recovery process to help you regain access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Microsoft account passwords expire automatically?

By default, personal Microsoft account passwords do not expire. However, if Microsoft detects suspicious activity, they may force a password reset for your protection. Work or school Microsoft accounts may have expiration policies set by the organization.

What if I don't remember my Microsoft account email address?

Check old emails on your devices for messages from Microsoft. You can also try signing in with your phone number if you added one to the account. Microsoft's account recovery tool at account.microsoft.com can help you find your account.

Will I lose my games or progress if I reset my password?

No. Your game library, save data, achievements, and subscriptions are all linked to your Microsoft account. Resetting the password only changes how you log in — it does not affect any of your content.