Quick Answer
There are a few common reasons why Facebook may not be sending you a code to change your password:
- Your email or phone number on file is out of date
- You have two-factor authentication enabled
- There are issues with your internet connection or device
- Your Facebook account is temporarily locked
- You are not requesting the code correctly
The most likely causes are an outdated contact info or two-factor authentication being enabled. Check that Facebook has your current email/phone, and try turning off two-factor authentication temporarily. Also make sure you are requesting the code properly through the Facebook app or website.
What are the requirements to change your Facebook password?
To change your Facebook password, you need:
- Access to the email address or phone number listed on your Facebook account
- To enter your current Facebook password correctly when prompted
- To request a 6-digit security code from Facebook that they will send to your email or phone
- To enter that 6-digit code back into Facebook’s password change page
Without access to your email/phone to receive the code, or entering your current password properly first, Facebook will not send you the 6-digit code needed to change your password.
Why might Facebook not be sending the code?
Here are some common reasons Facebook may not be sending the password reset code:
Your email or phone number on your Facebook account is out of date
Facebook needs a valid email or phone number to send the 6-digit code to. If the contact information on your Facebook account is outdated or inaccurate, you will not receive the code. Go to your Facebook account settings and make sure your primary email address and phone number is up to date.
You have two-factor authentication enabled
If you have set up two-factor authentication (2FA) with Facebook, the password reset code will be sent to your designated 2FA authentication app instead of your email/phone. Check if you have 2FA enabled and what app you have set up to receive codes. You may need to turn 2FA off temporarily to reset your password.
There are issues with your internet connection or device
Make sure you have a stable internet connection when trying to reset your password. Also try resetting on a different device like a mobile phone or computer. Connection issues can prevent the code being delivered properly.
Your Facebook account is temporarily locked
If you have entered the wrong password too many times or been blocked for suspicious activity, Facebook may temporarily lock your account for security reasons. You will be unable to change your password until the lock is lifted.
You are not requesting the code correctly
Double check that you are following the proper steps to generate a password reset code from Facebook. Most common is accidentally hitting “Cancel” instead of “Get New Code”. Go slowly and request the code again.
How can you troubleshoot Facebook not sending a code?
Here are some steps to troubleshoot Facebook not sending a password reset code:
- Confirm your primary email/phone on your Facebook account is accurate
- Turn off two-factor authentication temporarily if enabled
- Check for internet connection issues on your device
- Try generating the code on a different device like a mobile phone or computer
- Make sure you are logged into the correct Facebook account
- Carefully follow each step when requesting a new code
- Check your email spam folder for the code
- Wait a few minutes and try requesting a new code again
If none of those steps work, you may need to use Facebook’s account recovery process to regain access to your account. This involves submitting ID documents to prove you are the account owner.
What should you do if the code doesn’t arrive?
If you still have not received the Facebook password reset code after troubleshooting, here are some next steps:
- Check your email spam folder for the code
- Click “No longer have access to these?” on the code request page
- Follow the account recovery process by submitting your ID
- As a last resort, you can create a new Facebook account and migrate your data
Do not continue trying the same code request steps if it is not working. Switch to account recovery or contact Facebook support for help regaining access. With patience and following the proper steps, you should be able to reset your Facebook password successfully.
Conclusion
In summary, the most common reasons Facebook may not send a password reset code are an outdated contact info, enabled two-factor authentication, or issues with your internet/device. Make sure your account email/phone is current, disable 2FA temporarily, and request the code on a different device with a stable connection. If the problem persists, use Facebook’s account recovery steps by submitting your ID documents to prove you are the rightful account owner. With some diligent troubleshooting, you should be able to change your Facebook password successfully.