If you can’t access your Facebook account, there are a few options for contacting Facebook to regain access or delete your account. Here are some quick answers to common questions about contacting Facebook support:
I’m locked out of my Facebook account – how do I get back in?
If you’re locked out of your Facebook account, the easiest way to get back in is to use Facebook’s account recovery options. Go to the Facebook login page and click “Forgot password?” to reset your password. You can also click “Get help logging in” to answer security questions or have login codes sent to your email or mobile number.
I don’t have access to my email or phone number for Facebook account recovery
If you can’t access the email address or phone number associated with your Facebook account, you can still recover your account through Facebook’s account recovery process. On the login page, select “No longer have access to these?” when asked for your email/phone number for recovery. You will need to provide info to prove you’re the account owner, like friends on your account or locations you’ve logged in from.
How do I contact Facebook support if account recovery doesn’t work?
If you cannot successfully recover your account through the normal account recovery options, you can contact Facebook support for additional help. To get in touch with a Facebook support rep regarding your account access:
- Go to the Facebook Help Center
- Search for “contact Facebook support” and click the result
- Select “Account access” as your issue topic
- Choose the option for not being able to access your account
- Complete the form providing details and email for Facebook support to contact you
What info does Facebook need to verify my identity?
To verify your identity when contacting Facebook support, you will need to provide details only the account owner would know. This may include:
- Full name on the account
- Email or phone number previously associated with the account
- Profile details like date of birth, hometown, or names of friends/family
- Pages or groups you created or managed
- Locations where you’ve logged into the account
- Last password you remember for the account
The more accurate details you can provide, the more likely Facebook support can confirm you are the account owner and help regain access.
How long does it take for Facebook support to respond?
It can take up to 1 business day for Facebook to respond to support inquiries regarding account access. However, response time can vary depending on:
- Volume of requests – More requests means slower responses
- Details provided – More proof of ownership speeds up responses
- Issue complexity – Regaining access may take more time investigating
While you likely won’t get an instant response, be patient and Facebook support should connect within a day or two to help recover your account access.
What if I can’t prove I’m the account owner?
If you cannot provide enough details for Facebook to verify your identity and confirm you are the account owner, Facebook may not be able to help you regain access. Some options in this situation include:
- Check if you have access set up for a trusted contact to help with your account
- Submit government ID through Facebook’s ID verification process
- If the account is tied to a business, have an authorized representative contact Facebook
- Create a new account and try to use Facebook’s data transfer tool to pull data from the inaccessible account
Without enough proof of ownership, Facebook’s hands are tied for security reasons. Keep trying with any details or documentation you may have to demonstrate the account is yours.
Can Facebook delete my account if I can’t prove ownership?
In some cases, if you cannot successfully verify your identity as the account owner, Facebook may suggest deleting or memorializing the account instead of letting it remain inaccessible. This helps protect the security and privacy of the account information.
Before deleting an account due to unverified ownership, Facebook will attempt to contact the registered email and prompt you to provide ID verification again. Only after extended failed attempts to confirm an account owner can Facebook take steps to remove or memorialize the account.
How do I request account deletion if I can’t access it?
To request deletion of your inaccessible Facebook account, you can contact Facebook support with a request to have the account permanently closed. Steps include:
- Complete the Facebook help request form indicating you want the account deleted
- Explain that you cannot access the account but want it deleted
- Provide as many account ownership details as possible
- If Facebook can confirm you are the account owner based on the details provided, they will initiate deletion
- The account will be scheduled for deletion but can be recovered within 30 days if access is restored
Without enough details to prove you own the account, Facebook will not be able to honor a deletion request. But providing ownership information gives you the best chance of having an unrecoverable account closed.
Can I create a new Facebook account if I lose access to my old one?
If you are permanently unable to regain access to your original Facebook account, you can create a brand new account. You’ll need to sign up with a different email and phone number than your previous account.
When creating a new account after losing access to an old one, be aware that:
- You won’t be able to recover any data or connections from the old account
- Facebook may flag the new account if it looks suspicious or violating terms of service
- Your new account’s user experience will be like starting Facebook for the first time
Make sure you take measures to verify and secure your new account, like enabling two-factor authentication, to avoid losing access again in the future.
Can Facebook merge or link two accounts together?
Facebook does not typically merge or link two separate accounts together. If you created a new account after losing access to your original one, those accounts remain separate entities in Facebook’s system.
In rare cases of businesses, brands, or public figures losing access to their official accounts, Facebook may link a new replacement account to retain followers and engagement. But for everyday personal accounts, Facebook has no ability to combine accounts.
Your best option is focusing on recovering your old account if possible, or starting fresh with a new account and building connections again from scratch.
Conclusion
Losing access to your Facebook account can be incredibly frustrating, but contacting Facebook support provides options to help regain access or permanently delete the account if needed. Be ready to provide as many ownership details as possible when reaching out for assistance. With patience and some luck, Facebook can help restore or remove your account so you can move forward.
| Scenario | Contact Option | Info Needed | Time to Resolve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Locked out of account | Account recovery options on login page | Email, phone number, password | Minutes to hours |
| Can’t access recovery options | Facebook Help Center support | Account details and history | 24-48 hours |
| Unable to prove ownership | ID verification, trusted contacts | Government ID, account contacts | Days to weeks |
| Want inaccessible account deleted | Deletion request to Facebook | Ownership details | 30 days |
Key Points
- Use Facebook account recovery options if locked out
- Contact Facebook support if you can’t access your account
- Provide as many account ownership details as possible
- Be patient – responses may take up to 1-2 days
- Without enough proof, Facebook can’t help regain access
- Create a new account if you permanently lose access