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Why is my Facebook account not letting me log in?

Why is my Facebook account not letting me log in?

There are a few common reasons why you may be unable to log in to your Facebook account. Here are some quick troubleshooting steps you can try:

Check Your Internet Connection

Make sure you have a stable internet connection. Try disconnecting and reconnecting to the wifi or toggling airplane mode on and off. This will reset your connection and may resolve temporary network issues preventing you from accessing Facebook.

Update the Facebook App

If you’re trying to log in via the Facebook mobile app, make sure you have the latest version installed. Open your device’s app store, search for Facebook, and update to the newest version if available. The update may contain bug fixes or improvements that get you back into your account.

Try Logging In on a Computer

Attempt logging into your Facebook account on a desktop computer. If you can access your account on a PC but not your phone, then the issue is with the Facebook app rather than your account itself. Reinstalling the Facebook app may solve the problem in this case.

Reset Your Password

One of the most common reasons for being locked out of your Facebook account is forgetting your password. To reset it:

  1. Go to the Facebook login page and click “Forgot Password?”
  2. Enter the email address or phone number associated with your account
  3. Facebook will send you a password reset link
  4. Click the link and follow the steps to create a new password

If you no longer have access to the email or phone number on your account, you can try account recovery instead.

Check for Account Restrictions

Facebook may restrict your account from logging in if they detect suspicious activity. This is done to protect your account’s security. Some things that may trigger restrictions include:

  • Logging in from a new device or location
  • Entering the wrong password multiple times
  • Suspicious posts or messages being sent from your account

If your account has been restricted, you’ll see a notification when trying to log in explaining this. You may need to verify your identity or confirm your posts to remove the restrictions.

Recover Your Account

If you can no longer access the email or phone number associated with your Facebook account, you’ll need to go through the account recovery process. This involves providing information only you would know to prove you’re the account owner. Here’s how to recover your Facebook account:

  1. Go to Facebook.com and click “Forgot Password?”
  2. Select “No longer have access to these?” when asked for email/phone number
  3. Choose to recover your account by answering security questions
  4. Enter your name and other info to verify your identity
  5. Check the email Facebook sends you to finish recovering your account

Contact Facebook Support

If you’ve tried all troubleshooting steps and still can’t login, reach out directly to Facebook for help. Here are two ways to contact Facebook support:

Request Account Support

The fastest way to get help is by submitting a support request in the Facebook app or website. Here’s how:

  1. Go to facebook.com and click “Help” in the toolbar
  2. In the Account section, click “Get account support”
  3. Select the issue you need help with and submit the request form

Facebook aims to respond to requests within 24 hours.

Appeal Account Restrictions

If your account was restricted, you can appeal the decision and ask Facebook to lift the restrictions. To do this:

  1. Click “I think my account was restricted by mistake” on the notification screen
  2. Select the reason you feel the restrictions are incorrect
  3. Explain in further detail and submit your appeal

It may take up to 24 hours for a response on your appeal. Provide as much context as you can to get a quicker decision.

Fix Facebook Mobile Login Issues

Problems accessing Facebook on your iPhone, Android, or other mobile devices can be frustrating. Here are some top fixes for mobile login issues:

Force Stop the App

Sometimes the Facebook app can get stuck while open in the background. Force stopping the app closes it completely so it can restart fresh. Here are steps for force stopping the Facebook app on Android and iPhone:

Android

  1. Open device Settings > Apps & notifications
  2. Select Facebook app > Force stop

iPhone

  1. Double press Home button to open app switcher
  2. Locate the Facebook app preview and swipe up to close the app

Now when you reopen Facebook, it will start completely fresh which may resolve the login issue.

Clear App Cache and Data

Stored cache and data for the Facebook app can sometimes get corrupted leading to problems like freezing and crashing. Clearing this data forces the app to start clean. Here are the steps for both Android and iPhone:

Android

  1. Open device Settings > Apps & notifications
  2. Select Facebook app > Storage > Clear Cache
  3. Go back and select Manage space > Clear all data

iPhone

  1. Open Settings > General > iPhone storage
  2. Find and select Facebook from the list of apps
  3. Tap offload app to clear data and cache (this keeps the app installed)

Once cache and data are wiped, open Facebook again and try to log in.

Reinstall the Facebook App

If clearing cache/data didn’t work, the next step is performing a clean reinstall of the Facebook app. This ensures any corrupted files are completely removed. To reinstall:

Android

  1. Open the Google Play Store
  2. Search for “Facebook”
  3. Tap Uninstall to remove the app
  4. Search Facebook again and reinstall the app

iPhone

  1. Hold finger down on Facebook app icon until if jiggles
  2. Tap X icon to uninstall the app
  3. Open App Store, search Facebook, and tap Get to reinstall

Now try opening the freshly installed Facebook app and logging in again.

Fix Facebook Website Login Problems

Having trouble accessing Facebook on your computer? Here are troubleshooting tips for login issues on the Facebook website:

Clear Browser Cookies and Cache

Outdated cookies and cached files from Facebook can prevent successful login. Clearing this data forces Facebook to load fresh in your browser. Here are the steps for popular browsers:

Chrome

  1. Click Customize and control Google Chrome > Settings
  2. Under Privacy and security, click Clear browsing data
  3. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files
  4. Click Clear data

Safari

  1. Click Safari > Clear History and Website Data
  2. Select Cookies and website data and Cached files
  3. Click Clear History

Firefox

  1. Click the burger menu > Options
  2. Go to Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
  3. Click Clear Data
  4. Check Cookies and Site Data and Cache
  5. Click Clear

Try Incognito or Private Browsing

Incognito and private browsing modes load webpages without using any cached data. Logging into Facebook here essentially forces a clean slate. To enable:

Chrome – Click the 3 dot menu > New incognito window

Safari – Click File > New Private Window

Firefox – Click the burger menu > New Private Window

Now visit Facebook.com in this new window and try logging in again.

Try Another Browser

If you still can’t access Facebook in your usual web browser, try loading it in an alternate browser. Sometimes browser conflicts can cause login frustrations. Installing another simple browser like Firefox or Chrome takes just a minute.

Open the new browser, go to Facebook.com, and attempt logging in. If it works here, some setting or extension in your usual browser is likely the culprit.

Reset Your Facebook Password

If you can’t remember your Facebook password, you’ll need to reset it to gain access to your account again. Here is how to reset your Facebook password:

Step 1: Click Forgot Password

Go to Facebook.com and click the Forgot Password link below the password field. Or in the Facebook app, tap the Forgot Password option.

Step 2: Choose Password Reset Method

Facebook will ask you to enter the email or phone number on your account. This allows them to send you a password reset link. If you no longer have access to these, click Get Help Logging In.

Step 3: Get Reset Link

Check the email or text message Facebook sent you. It will contain a link to reset your password. The link will expire within 24 hours.

Step 4: Create New Password

Click the reset link and you’ll be prompted to create and confirm your new Facebook password. Then click Submit to finish resetting.

You can now login with your new password. Be sure to save it somewhere secure like a password manager.

Recover Your Hacked or Disabled Facebook Account

If your account was hacked or disabled by Facebook, recovering it takes a few extra steps. Here’s how to recover an compromised or disabled Facebook account:

Request a Review

If you’re unable to login and believe your account was incorrectly disabled, click the “My Account is Disabled” link on the login screen. You can then submit a request for Facebook to review your account.

Upload ID Verification

Facebook may ask you to verify your identity before recovering your account. You’ll need to upload a photo ID such as your driver’s license or passport. Make sure the name and photo on your ID match the name and profile pic on your Facebook account.

Check the Recovery Email

Once you submit your review or ID verification, Facebook will send updates to your recovery email on file. This will include steps like resetting your password or confirming your posts and info. Be sure to regularly check this email.

Strengthen Account Security

After you regain access to your account, enable extra layers of security like two-factor authentication to help prevent it from being hacked again. You can also check login approvals in your account’s Security Log.

Prevent Future Facebook Login Problems

Once you’re able to access your account again, there are some best practices you can follow to avoid more login headaches going forward:

  • Unique password – Don’t reuse passwords across accounts. Make your Facebook password long, random, and unique.
  • Two-factor authentication – Enable two-step login for enhanced security.
  • Recognize devices – Mark devices you regularly login from as trusted.
  • Review login alerts – Check notification emails or texts when new logins occur.
  • Monitor login activity – Periodically check your Facebook Security Log for suspicious activity.

Taking these preventative measures greatly reduces your risk of future login issues and account takeovers. Enable as many security options as you can.

Get Additional Facebook Support

If you’ve tried all troubleshooting tips and are still locked out of your Facebook account, you can reach out to their support team for help. Contact options include:

  • Submitting a support request from login screen
  • Starting a live chat with Facebook Support
  • Calling the Facebook helpline at 1-650-543-4800

When contacting Facebook Support, provide as many details as possible like your full name, email/phone on your account, error messages you see, and steps you’ve tried. This helps them quickly troubleshoot and regain access to your account.

Conclusion

Trouble logging into Facebook can be incredibly frustrating, but the issue can typically be resolved with some basic troubleshooting. Try resetting your password, updating the app, clearing browser data, and ensuring you have a stable internet connection. Also reach out to Facebook Support if you believe your account was disabled or hacked. Enabling security options like two-factor authentication can help prevent future login headaches. With the right recovery steps, you can get back into your Facebook account and resume connecting with friends in no time.