Not receiving one-time passwords (OTPs) from Facebook can be frustrating as it prevents access to your account. There are a few key reasons why this may happen and some steps you can try to resolve the issue.
Common Reasons for Not Receiving Facebook OTP
Incorrect Phone Number
The most common reason for not getting OTPs from Facebook is that your phone number is entered incorrectly in your Facebook account settings. Facebook sends OTPs via text message to the phone number listed in your account. If this number is wrong or outdated, you will not receive the passwords.
To check your phone number on Facebook:
- Go to your Facebook profile
- Click on the down arrow in the top right corner
- Select “Settings & Privacy”
- Go to “Settings”
- Click on “Mobile” in the left sidebar
- Check that your current phone number is listed correctly
If the number is wrong, update it with your correct, current phone number.
Phone Issues
Problems with your phone itself can also prevent you from receiving Facebook OTPs. Here are some phone-related issues that could be blocking the passwords:
- No signal – Your phone may not be able to receive texts if there is no service. Move to an area with better signal and try requesting the code again.
- Invalid SIM card – Damaged or expired SIM cards cannot receive texts. Contact your phone provider for a replacement SIM.
- Wrong network – If you switched phone networks but kept your number, texts may not come through. Contact your new provider.
- Blocked messages – Check that Facebook or text messages are not being blocked by your phone’s settings.
SMS Forwarding to Another Number
If you have SMS forwarding enabled, Facebook OTPs will be sent to the forwarded number instead of your phone. Disable SMS forwarding to receive codes to your phone again.
Incorrect Facebook Email
Facebook also allows OTPs to be sent via email. If your email is wrong or out-of-date in your Facebook account settings, email OTPs will not reach you.
To update your email on Facebook:
- Go to your profile
- Click the down arrow and select “Settings & Privacy”
- Go to “Settings”
- Click “General” in the left sidebar
- Enter your current, valid email address
Troubleshooting Steps
If you’ve checked the above reasons but are still not getting Facebook OTPs, try these troubleshooting steps:
Restart Your Phone
Restarting your phone resets the network and SIM card, which may fix SMS issues preventing OTP delivery. Here are steps for restarting common phones:
| Phone Type | Restart Steps |
|---|---|
| iPhone | Hold down the Power button until “Slide to Power Off” appears. Swipe to turn off. Wait 30 seconds then hold Power until Apple logo appears to restart. |
| Samsung Galaxy | Hold down the Power button for 40 seconds or more until phone restarts. |
| Google Pixel | Hold down Power button and Volume Down simultaneously until phone turns off. Press Power to restart. |
Toggle Airplane Mode
Switching on Airplane Mode disables network connectivity. Toggling Airplane Mode off and on can force your phone to reconnect to the network which may resolve OTP issues.
On most phones, you can toggle Airplane Mode on or off through the Quick Settings menu accessed by swiping down from the top of the screen.
Check for Facebook App or Messenger Updates
Outdated versions of the Facebook app and Facebook Messenger app can sometimes disrupt OTP delivery. Check the Google Play Store or Apple App Store for any app updates and install them.
Remove and Reinstall Facebook App
As a last resort, you can attempt to fix OTP issues by uninstalling and reinstalling the Facebook app. This will clear any corrupted app files or cached data that could be interfering with OTPs. Make sure to backup any important app data first.
To uninstall and reinstall Facebook:
- Open phone Settings > Apps or Application Manager
- Find and tap Facebook
- Tap Uninstall
- Go to Google Play Store or Apple App Store
- Search for and reinstall the Facebook app
- Log back into your account
Getting Further Help
If you still can’t receive OTPs from Facebook after trying all troubleshooting steps, you may need to get assistance directly from Facebook:
- In the Facebook app, go to Settings & Privacy > Help & Support and use the on-screen options
- Visit Facebook Help Community and search for your issue or post a question
- Submit a request through Facebook Help Portal
Be prepared to provide details about when the problem started, what troubleshooting you’ve tried, and any error messages you may see when trying to get an OTP.
Preventing Future OTP Issues
Once you resolve your Facebook OTP issues, you can take these steps to avoid similar problems in the future:
- Double check your current phone number, email, and other account info are correct in Facebook settings
- Consider setting up two-factor authentication via an authenticator app instead of SMS OTPs
- Make sure your phone’s operating system and Facebook app are updated
- Don’t forward SMS messages from your number as this can disrupt OTP delivery
Conclusion
Not receiving Facebook OTPs can be a nuisance, but the issue can usually be resolved by double checking your account information is up to date, troubleshooting phone and app issues, or reaching out to Facebook support. With the right steps, you can get OTPs working again so you can securely access your Facebook account.