Overview
There are a few common reasons why Facebook may not be sending you a code to your email when trying to log in or reset your password:
- You don’t have access to the email address registered to your Facebook account anymore
- The email with the code is going to your spam or promotions folder
- There is an issue connecting to the Facebook server
- Your account may be temporarily locked for suspicious activity
- You mistakenly requested the code to an old email address
Don’t worry – in most cases, this issue can be easily resolved by taking some troubleshooting steps like checking your other inboxes, updating your recovery email, using alternative login methods, or waiting for any temporary locks to expire.
Check All Inboxes Thoroughly for the Code Email
The most common reason people don’t receive their Facebook verification code is because it goes to another inbox that they don’t regularly check. Here are some tips for making sure you carefully look through every inbox:
- Check your main inbox, spam folder, promotions tab, and any other categories in your email app
- Log into your email through the web browser to view all inbox categories
- Search your inbox for keywords like “Facebook code” or “security code”
- Check all email addresses you have access to, not just your main one
- Request the code again if you still can’t find it after thoroughly searching
Email apps like Gmail often filter messages with verification codes into tabs other than the primary inbox. The code may have been sent successfully but was directed away from your main inbox. Make sure to expand your search to all available folders.
If you have multiple email addresses, double check each one because you may have accidentally requested the code to an old or secondary email that you don’t check as frequently.
Be persistent in searching all corners of your inbox before assuming the code email was never sent. Facebook codes usually arrive within minutes, so if it’s been longer than that, try asking for a new one.
Update Your Recover Email
In some cases, the verification code won’t arrive because your account’s registered recovery email is outdated or inactive. Here’s how to update it to fix this:
- Log into Facebook via another method like mobile phone number confirmation
- Go to your account settings and open the Security and Login section
- Select Edit next to Recover Account
- Enter your valid, current email address and click Confirm
Once updated, new verification codes will be properly sent to your new active email each time.
Having an outdated recovery email that you can’t access is one of the top reasons codes go unreceived. Facebook allows you to update this at any time in your settings.
Take a minute to validate that your account has the right email on file that you can actually monitor. This prevents running into code issues again down the road.
Use Alternative Login Methods
If you are locked out of your account and still can’t obtain a code by email, try using Facebook’s other identity confirmation options:
- Mobile login – Have codes sent via text message instead of email
- Trusted contacts – Get help logging in from friends/family
- Security key – Use a physical security key if you set one up
- Backup codes – Enter your saved list of backup codes if available
In a situation where email verification has failed, Facebook provides alternative ways to confirm your identity. This includes mobile login via text codes, help from trusted connections, physical security keys, and backup codes you can access.
Rather than getting stuck in an endless loop of unreceived emails, make use of the other login methods at your disposal. Mobile verification tends to have higher success rates if email codes won’t send.
Having multiple forms of account validation enables you to recover access even when certain options like email are unreliable.
Wait for Any Temporary Locks to Expire
If you input your password incorrectly several times in a row, Facebook may lock your account temporarily as a security precaution. Some common reasons for temporary locks include:
- Excessive invalid login attempts
- Suspected suspicious/unauthorized access
- Entering an old password after recently changing it
- Inputting your password into a fake login page
When this happens, you will get a notice saying how long the lock is in place for – usually between 24-48 hours. Until the duration has passed, sending a code through email or other methods will not work.
Your only option is to wait out the temporary lock and refrain from making further login attempts while it is active. Once expired, you’ll regain full access to reset your password via email code as normal.
Keep in mind that excessive password failures or suspicious activity can trigger these short-term locks as a policy by Facebook. Have patience for 1-2 days and you’ll likely find the issue resolves on its own.
Request the Code From a Different Device
In some scenarios, there may be device-specific issues that interfere with receiving email codes.
Troubleshoot by trying the verification process from an alternate device like:
- Your phone if normally using a computer
- A friend or family member’s device
- A public computer like at a library
If the email comes through on another device, the problems likely stem from your original device – whether due to an outdated OS, email app conflicts, security settings blocking emails, or other device-specific inconsistencies.
Switching devices provides a clean slate environment without any settings that may be inhibiting your ability to get codes. Apps may need updating or reinstalling, while operating systems themselves may have bugs affecting email delivery.
Verification on an alternate device will determine if the issues lie with your original hardware and software setup rather than Facebook itself. From there you can troubleshoot your tech for solutions.
Double Check Your Email Typos
One simple mistake that can lead to codes going missing is inputting the wrong email address by typo. Double check that when requesting the code, you entered the exact email for your Facebook account.
It’s easy to:
- Swap letters by accident
- Leave out or add a period somewhere
- Use an old email that’s similar but incorrect
Carefully verifying the email used is letter-for-letter correct minimizes the chances you fat-fingered it. Most email bouncing or non-delivery issues are due to small typos in the receiving address.
If unsure, try resending the code request focusing carefully on precise email entry. Also check your other inboxes for any errant codes sent to similar wrong addresses accidentally.
Taking an extra minute to review the email closely sidesteps wasted time waiting on codes sent to nonexistent accounts. It’s an easy thing to overlook when rushing the login process.
Contact Facebook Support
If you’ve exhausted all self-troubleshooting steps and are still not receiving Facebook’s verification emails, it’s time to contact their customer support for further help.
Reach out to Facebook support via:
- The Help Center contact form – Choose your issue for customized contact options
- Live chat – Get real-time messaging assistance
- Email – Send detailed inquiries with screenshots/examples
- Phone – Speak directly to Facebook agents
When describing your problem, provide as much detail as possible like error messages, screenshots, examples of what you’ve tried, and specifics on when the issue started.
Some key details that can help Facebook identify and resolve the problem include:
- What device(s)/platforms are affected
- Example email addresses used to request codes
- Screenshots of code emails if received
- Any changes leading up to the problem
Thoroughly explaining the verification failure you’re encountering gives Facebook Support more insight into potential weaknesses or bugs. With sufficient information they can investigate backend delivery issues and exceptions that may be blocking you specifically.
If it’s an individual case not impacting other users, they can check your account history for anomalies and use their tools to troubleshoot more in-depth. Their technical expertise and account access facilitates solutions you can’t obtain solo.
Create a New Account
If nothing seems to fix your email verification issues and Facebook Support can’t resolve it either, creating a brand new Facebook account is the last resort option.
This is only recommended after exhausting all other options, as you’ll lose access to your current account’s data, friends, photos, posts, history, etc.
However, in rare stubborn cases of unfixable login/code bugs, starting fresh solves the problem for good.
When making a new account:
- Use a completely new email address different from your old one
- Don’t violate any policies or your account may be disabled again
- Consider adding extra security like two-factor from the beginning
A new account with a unique associated email gives you a blank slate without any legacy issues carrying over and interfering.
If you believe your existing account and email may be permanently glitched in terms of verification, creating a brand new Facebook platform can circumvent these bugs persisting indefinitely. Just ensure you take preventative measures so problems don’t reoccur going forward.
Conclusion
Facebook codes failing to reach your email can be immensely frustrating and concerning when you’re locked out of your account.
However, in nearly all cases, the reasons behind unreceived emails are identifiable and fixable through tactics like:
- Checking all inboxes thoroughly
- Updating your recovery email
- Using backup login options
- Letting temporary locks expire
- Trying other devices
- Verifying email typos
- Contacting Facebook support
- Starting a brand new account
With persistence and methodically working through these resolution steps, you can regain access to your Facebook account even if emails mysteriously stop coming through. Don’t panic – the solutions are out there if you cover all troubleshooting bases.