Forgetting your Facebook password and being unable to log in can be frustrating. Facebook is used by billions of people around the world to stay connected with friends and family. Not being able to access your account means you can’t view updates from your network or post any updates of your own. Thankfully, there are several things you can try to recover and reset your Facebook password so you can log back in.
Confirm Your Username
The first step is to confirm that you are using the correct username to log in. Your Facebook username is your unique identifier on the platform. It is usually an email address or phone number that you verified when creating your account. Go to the Facebook login page and carefully enter your username. If you have multiple email addresses or changed your primary login username, you may be entering an old or inactive credential. Be sure you are using the exact username associated with your current account.
Reset Your Password
Once you’ve confirmed your correct username, you can reset your password. On the Facebook login page click the “Forgot Password?” link. You will be prompted to enter your username again to begin the reset process. Facebook will then send a password reset link to the email address or phone number associated with your account. Open the email and click the link to be directed to the Facebook password reset page. Here you can enter and confirm a new password to regain access to your account.
Use Account Recovery
If you cannot complete the reset using the email or phone number for your account, Facebook offers an account recovery process. On the login page click “Forgot Password?” again. This time select the “No longer have access to these?” option. Facebook will ask you to provide details to verify your identity, such as your full name, birthdate, location, or people you are friends with on Facebook. Answer the prompts as accurately as possible. Facebook will match your responses to the existing information on your account. If you are verified as the account owner, you will be able to reset your password and log back in.
Other Ways to Recover Your Account
There are a few other options if you cannot recover your account through the standard reset and recovery processes:
Security Questions
When you first created your Facebook account, you may have set up security questions. These allow you to reset your password by answering your secret questions. To use this method, click “Forgot Password?” and then “No longer have access to these?”. Choose the option to have login codes emailed to you. Facebook will prompt you to answer your security questions and then send a login code to access your account.
Login Approvals
If you enabled login approvals, Facebook will require a secondary code to log in, sent by text or an authentication app. You can recover your account by having the login code sent to your approved device. Select the “No longer have access to these?” choice and follow the instructions to receive the login code without your password.
Trusted Contacts
You can choose friends as trusted contacts when setting up two-factor authentication. Your trusted contacts can generate a temporary code to help you get back into your account. Choose “Get help from friends” during the recovery process and send your request. A trusted contact can provide a code to regain access.
Facebook Support
If all else fails, you can contact Facebook Support directly for help recovering your account. Be prepared to provide proof of identity such as a government ID. Support can investigate further and recover accounts for legitimate owners who cannot reset passwords or use standard recovery.
Prevent Future Lockouts
Once you have regained access to your Facebook account, take steps to avoid getting locked out again in the future:
– Add a secondary email, phone number, or authentication app for password recovery and login approvals.
– Set new security questions with answers you can reliably recall.
– Turn on login alerts to be notified of suspicious activity.
– Use a password manager to generate and store strong passwords.
– Check that your recovery contacts are current friends who can assist you if needed.
– Enable two-factor authentication for enhanced security on your account.
Recovering Access on Mobile
If you primarily use Facebook on your smartphone and cannot remember the password, here are tips for the mobile app:
– Tap “Forgotten your password?” below the password field when logging in.
– Choose “Get help with logging in” then select “I don’t have access to these options.”
– Facebook will guide you through account recovery steps as outlined above.
– You can reset your password directly within the mobile app.
– Uninstalling and reinstalling the app will NOT help you regain access to your account.
Dealing with a Hacked or Disabled Account
In some cases, you may be completely locked out of your Facebook account because it was hacked or disabled for violation of Facebook policies. Here are tips for dealing with a compromised or banned account:
Hacked Account
If you notice suspicious posts, friends’ requests, or other activity from your account, it is possible your account has been hacked. Follow these steps:
– Run virus/malware scans on your devices in case of a breach.
– Change passwords on any other accounts that use the same credentials.
– Report the hacked account to Facebook immediately. Submit copies of ID for proof of ownership.
– Temporarily deactivate your account while resolving the issue if needed.
Disabled Account
Facebook may disable accounts that violate community standards policies around prohibited content, fake accounts, spam, abuse, or other guidelines. To attempt to restore access:
– Review Facebook’s terms and standards to understand what may have prompted the disable.
– Submit an appeal through the Facebook Help Center.
– Provide valid ID and explain the situation fully in your appeal.
– Wait for Facebook’s review team to investigate your appeal and decide whether to reinstate access.
– Create a new account in the meantime if you need an alternative.
Preventing Future Account Lockouts
Some best practices can help avoid both forgotten passwords and disabled accounts in the future:
– Always use a strong, unique password that you don’t utilize on any other sites.
– Set up two-factor authentication via text, app, or security key for enhanced protection.
– Be cautious when logging in from public, borrowed, or unfamiliar devices.
– Do not violate Facebook’s terms of service or community standards to avoid bans.
– Only accept friend requests from people you know to prevent hacking.
– Be wary of phishing emails or texts asking you to click suspicious links or reset your password.
– Keep recovery contact info up to date in case you need account assistance.
When You Should Create a New Account
In some circumstances, it may be necessary to simply create a brand new Facebook account rather than trying to recover your existing one:
– If you cannot provide enough verified information during the recovery process.
– If you have no access to the original email, phone number, or security options.
– If you shared the account with an ex-partner who you are now locked out from accessing.
– If the account is permanently disabled for multiple or egregious violations of Facebook policies.
– If you do not remember critical details like your username, password, security questions, or contacts.
– If there is a concern the account could be hacked, spammed, or otherwise compromised.
– If it is an old account you no longer use or need access to.
Steps for Creating a New Facebook Account
1. Go to www.facebook.com and click Create New Account.
2. Enter your name, email or mobile phone number, password, birthday, and gender.
3. Click Sign Up and follow the prompts to finish setting up your profile.
4. Build your new friend list and customize privacy settings.
5. Only use this credential on Facebook to avoid future confusion and lockouts.
Conclusion
Being locked out of Facebook can be stressful, but is usually fixable with the right account recovery steps. Confirm your username, reset your password, and use account verification to regain access. Enable stronger login security going forward. Hacked or disabled accounts may be harder to restore, but submitting an appeal or creating a new account are options. With good password hygiene and recovery contacts, you can avoid the frustration of forgetting your login details in the future.