Quick answer
Start with Facebook’s own Forgotten password? link, or go to facebook.com/login/identify to find your account by email, phone number or name. Facebook usually sends a reset code to a contact method on the account. If you no longer have that email or phone, look for an option such as No longer have access to these? (wording varies) and follow Meta’s identity checks. If you think someone else changed your details, use facebook.com/hacked instead. Never give a login code to anyone who contacts you offering help.
Pick the one that best describes you:
Does this match what you see?
- Facebook says the password you entered is incorrect, even though you’re sure it’s right.
- You’ve forgotten your password and the reset link or code doesn’t seem to work.
- The reset code goes to an old email address or phone number you can’t use any more.
- You’re asked to confirm your identity (for example with a video selfie or ID) and don’t know if it’s genuine.
- You keep getting logged out, or see Session expired, and have to sign in again and again.
- You can log in on your phone but not on your computer (or the other way round).
- You see a message that you’ve tried too many times (wording varies), or a temporary block after several attempts.
- You deactivated your account (or someone did it for you) and now aren’t sure how to get back in.
iPhone & iPadAndroidComputer (browser)
Meta changes its login and recovery screens often, and they can look different by country, device and account. Use the wording on your screen as your guide; the steps below describe what to look for.
Meta’s own three login routes
Meta’s “can’t log in” help page sorts people into three situations. Pick yours:
| Your situation | What Meta says to do |
|---|---|
| You can still get emails or texts from Facebook | Reset your password (reset your password). If reset codes don’t arrive: check spam or junk, check you have signal, then wait a few minutes and request a new code. |
| You no longer have the email or phone number (lost or changed phone, hacked email) | Use Meta’s route for when you can’t access the email or phone on your account (no access to your email or phone). |
| You think your account was hacked | Visit facebook.com/hacked on a device you’ve used to log into Facebook before — see Facebook hacked. |
What Meta has changed about account recovery
In December 2025 Meta announced a central support area inside the Facebook and Instagram apps, rolling out on iPhone and Android. It said recovery now includes clearer SMS and email alerts, recognition of devices you’ve used before, and an optional video selfie to confirm your identity. In a March 2026 update Meta said a Meta AI support assistant was rolling out where Meta AI is available and could help with things like password resets, starting with selected cases in the US and Canada.
What this means for you: try recovering from a phone or computer you’ve logged in from before, on a network you normally use. Meta’s own Account Recovery Hub (external site, opens in a new tab) is the official starting point for Facebook, Instagram and Threads.
Why this happens: the possible causes
Use this table to jump to the part of the guide that matches what you see. The fixes further down are ordered from the quickest and safest to the slowest.
| What you see | Possible cause | Go to |
|---|---|---|
| “Incorrect password” but you’re sure it’s right | Typo, Caps Lock, autofill using an old password, or the password was changed | Fix 2 then Fix 3 |
| You don’t remember the password | Forgotten password | Fix 3 |
| Reset code goes to an email/phone you no longer have | Out-of-date contact details on the account | Fix 4 |
| The login or reset code never arrives | Delivery problem with SMS or email | Login code not received |
| Asked for a video selfie or ID | Usually Meta’s identity check during recovery | Fix 5 |
| “Too many attempts” or temporarily blocked | Security limit after repeated tries | Fix 6 |
| Logged out repeatedly / “Session expired” | Browser cookies, app data, or a security sign-out | Fix 7 |
| Works on one device, not another | Device-specific browser or app problem | Fix 8 |
| Email and password changed without you | Account may be hacked | Hacked account recovery |
| You deactivated the account | Deactivation is reversible by you in most cases | Deactivated account |
- A typing or autofill mistakePossible
Caps Lock, a different keyboard language, an extra space, or a password manager filling in an old password often explain why a correct password “doesn’t work”.
- A forgotten or recently changed passwordPossible
If you changed your password on another device, every other device needs the new one. Changing a password can also sign you out of other sessions.
- Out-of-date email address or phone numberPossible
Facebook sends reset codes to the contact details saved on the account. If that email address is closed or the number has changed, the code goes somewhere you can’t see.
- A security check or temporary limitPossible
After repeated failed attempts, logins from a new place or device, or unusual activity, Facebook may slow you down or ask you to confirm your identity before letting you in.
- Browser or app data problemsPossible
Damaged cookies, blocked cookies, aggressive privacy extensions or a corrupted app install can cause login loops and “session expired” messages.
- The account was taken overPossible
If the email, phone number or password changed and you didn’t do it, treat it as a hacked account and use Meta’s hacked-account route rather than a normal reset.
- The account is disabled or suspendedLess likely
If, after entering the correct password, you see a notice that the account was suspended or disabled, it’s an enforcement decision, not a login problem.
- Facebook is having a wider problemLess likely
Occasionally logins fail for many people at once. If friends report the same thing at the same time, wait before resetting anything.
Try these 60-second checks first
- Try the official site directly: type facebook.com into your browser yourself rather than following a link from an email or message.
- Turn Caps Lock off and type your password slowly instead of using autofill.
- Try logging in with a different identifier: your email address, your phone number (with the right country code) or your username.
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, then try again.
- Ask someone else to open Facebook. If it’s not loading for them either, it’s an outage: see Is Facebook down?.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.
Fix 1: Make sure you’re on the real Facebook login page
Fake login pages are a common way accounts get stolen, and they can also make it seem like your password “stopped working”. Starting from the real site rules this out.
- On a phone, open the Facebook app you installed from the App Store or Google Play, not a link.
- On a computer, type facebook.com into the address bar yourself and check the address reads facebook.com before you enter anything.
- Don’t log in through links in emails, texts or messages that say your account will be closed or needs “verification”.
Did it work? You’re on facebook.com or in the official app, and the login screen looks normal.
Fix 2: Rule out typing, autofill and identifier mix-ups
A surprising number of “incorrect password” messages come from autofill entering an old password, or from logging in with a phone number in the wrong format.
- Clear the password field and type it manually. Use the show password (eye) icon if there is one to check what you typed.
- Check Caps Lock, and that your keyboard is set to the right language.
- If you use a password manager, open it and look for more than one saved Facebook password. Try the newest.
- Try your email address instead of your phone number, or vice versa. For phone numbers, include the country code if you’ve changed countries.
- If you usually sign in through Instagram or Meta’s Accounts Centre, try that route, or sign in to Facebook directly with your Facebook email or phone.
Did it work? You get past the password screen. If Facebook still says it’s wrong, don’t keep guessing: move on to Fix 3 to avoid a temporary block.
Fix 3: Reset your password with Facebook’s official “Forgotten password” flow
If you’ve forgotten the password, the official reset is the only safe way back. Facebook sends a code or link to a contact method on the account. Resetting can sign you out of other devices.
- On the login screen, tap Forgot password? (some versions say Forgotten password?). Or go straight to facebook.com/login/identify.
- Enter the email address, mobile number, full name or username on your account, tap Search, and pick the right profile.
- Choose where to send the code: one of the email addresses or numbers shown (they are partly hidden for privacy).
- Enter the code into Facebook yourself, then create a new password you haven’t used before.
- If the reset code doesn’t arrive, check spam/junk folders and that the phone number shown is still yours, then request one new code. Avoid requesting lots of codes in a row. (For two-factor and confirmation codes, see login code not received.)
Two things Meta warns about: you can only reset your password a certain number of times a day, so don’t keep retrying; and if you use two-factor authentication, you can’t use the same mobile number you use for two-factor to reset your password — add a different phone number or an email address to the account. Only request a reset you started yourself. If you receive reset codes you didn’t ask for, someone may be trying to get into your account: don’t share the code, and consider changing your password once you’re in.
Did it work? You’re logged in with the new password. Facebook may show a “Was this you?” or security prompt; read it carefully.
Fix 4: No longer have the email or phone on the account? Follow Meta’s lost-access steps
Meta has a step-by-step route for people who can’t reach the email or phone on their account (lost or changed phone, forgotten or hacked email). The steps below follow Meta’s help page in order.
- Try facebook.com/hacked first. Meta says you may be able to recover your account there even if you aren’t sure whether it was hacked.
- If that doesn’t work, try other emails or phone numbers you might have forgotten are on the account.
- Double-check what you typed. For a phone number, try including the country code (Meta’s example: +1 for the United States; for example +44 UK, +61 Australia, +234 Nigeria).
- Contact your email provider to see if they can help you get back into the email account. If you regain it, simply reset your password.
- Use a familiar device. Meta says the next part works best on a device you’ve logged into Facebook on before — your phone or computer, an old phone, or even a family member’s laptop you’ve used.
- On that device, type facebook.com/login/identify into your usual browser.
- Enter an email address or mobile number — your usual one or any other you think could be registered. If that doesn’t work, try your account name or username. (A friend can find your username in the web address of your profile and send it to you.)
- Once your account appears, select No longer have access to these? If you don’t see that, you might see Forgotten account? or Recover instead.
- Follow the prompts. If asked for new contact information, it must be an email or number that has never been used on your Facebook account before.
- Confirm the account belongs to you when prompted, then, after passing all the security checks, reset your password to something easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess.
These steps follow Meta’s help page “Recover your Facebook account if you can’t access your account email address or mobile phone number”. Not every account sees every option. If you think you were hacked, also work through Facebook hacked.
Did it work? You pass the security checks and can set a new password, then log in with it.
Fix 5: Asked for a video selfie or ID? Only complete it inside Facebook
Meta says it offers an optional video selfie in some regions to confirm your identity during recovery. A genuine request only appears inside Facebook during a recovery you started. Our hacked account guide explains in full how it works and how to tell it from a scam.
- Only continue if the request appeared inside the Facebook app or on facebook.com, during a recovery you started.
- Follow the on-screen instructions, and upload any ID only through Facebook’s own screen — never by email or chat to a person.
- Then wait for Facebook to contact you; submitting again and again doesn’t speed things up.
Did it work? You get a message from Facebook that your submission was received, and later an email or prompt to set a new password.
Fix 6: Seeing “too many attempts”? Stop, wait and try once from a familiar device
Repeated password or code attempts can trigger a temporary security limit. Every extra attempt can extend it, so the fastest fix is usually to stop for a while.
- Stop trying to log in or request codes for a while. Facebook doesn’t publish a waiting time, so give it a good while before trying again.
- When you try again, use a device and network you normally use for Facebook.
- Make one careful attempt with your best password, or one password reset request.
- If the same message comes back, follow any options Facebook shows on screen rather than retrying.
Did it work? You can enter your password or a code without the “too many attempts” message.
Fix 7: Keep getting “Session expired” or logged out? Fix cookies and app data
Facebook keeps you signed in using cookies (in a browser) and saved app data. If those are blocked, cleared automatically or damaged, you get sent back to the login screen. A password change elsewhere can also sign you out deliberately.
iPhone & iPad
- Update the Facebook app: App Store > your profile icon > App Updates.
- Close Facebook completely (swipe up from the bottom, pause, swipe the app away) and reopen it.
- If it continues, offload the app: Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Facebook > Offload App, then Reinstall App. Make sure you know your password first.
Android
- Update Facebook in Google Play: profile icon > Manage apps & device > Updates available.
- Clear the app’s cache: on a Pixel, Settings > Apps > See all apps > Facebook > Storage & cache > Clear cache (on Samsung and other phones the names differ).
- Only if needed, use Clear storage: this signs you out and resets the app, so know your password first.
Computer (browser)
- Make sure your browser allows cookies for facebook.com. Strict privacy settings, “clear cookies on exit” or some extensions can log you out each time.
- Clear cookies and site data for facebook.com only (in Chrome, click the icon to the left of the address bar and look for Cookies and site data, or go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings; menus vary by browser).
- Try a private/incognito window. If login works there, an extension is the likely cause: turn extensions off one at a time.
- Update your browser to the latest version.
If you’re logged out and also see unknown devices or changes on your account, treat it as a possible hack and use hacked account recovery.
Did it work? You stay logged in after closing and reopening the app or browser.
Fix 8: Works on your phone but not your computer (or the reverse)
If one device logs in fine, your password and account are OK. The problem lives on the device that fails: usually its browser, cookies, saved password, date and time, or app version.
iPhone & iPad
- Update the Facebook app and iOS.
- If the app won’t log in but the browser does, offload and reinstall the app.
- Check Settings > General > Date & Time is set automatically.
Android
- Update Facebook from Google Play, and your Android system software.
- Clear the Facebook app’s cache, then try again.
- Check date and time are set automatically in Settings (names vary).
Computer (browser)
- Use the working device to confirm your current password (or reset it from there).
- On the computer, try a different browser or a private window.
- Check the computer’s date and time are set automatically; a wrong clock can break secure logins.
- Remove any saved Facebook password in the browser and type the current one.
Did it work? Both devices log in with the same, current password.
Fix 9: Once you’re in: secure the account so it doesn’t happen again
A login problem is often the first sign that contact details are out of date or someone else has tried to get in. Fixing that now prevents a much harder recovery later.
- Open your profile picture > Settings and privacy > Settings > Accounts Centre > Password and security (some accounts now see Meta Account settings instead of Accounts Centre).
- Check the email addresses and phone numbers on the account are yours and current.
- Review where you’re logged in and log out of anything you don’t recognise.
- Turn on two-factor authentication and save your recovery codes.
- Run Meta’s Security Checkup if it’s offered.
Did it work? Only your own devices are listed, and your contact details are up to date.
Messages you might see (reported wording; yours may differ)
These are the messages as people report seeing them. The exact wording on your screen can differ by app version, language and region, so match the meaning, not every word.
The password that you’ve entered is incorrect.- What it usually means
- Usually means Facebook doesn’t recognise the password for that account. It may be mistyped, an old saved password, or it may have been changed.
- What to do
- Type it manually (Fix 2), then use Forgotten password? (Fix 3). If you didn’t change it, see hacked account recovery.
The email address or mobile number you entered isn’t connected to an account.- What it usually means
- Usually means Facebook can’t find an account with that detail, often because of a typo, a different email, or a phone number without the right country code.
- What to do
- Try other emails or numbers you’ve used, or search by name at facebook.com/login/identify.
Session expired- What it usually means
- Your saved login is no longer valid, often because of cleared or blocked cookies, an app data problem, or a deliberate security sign-out.
- What to do
- Log in again. If it keeps happening, follow Fix 7.
You’ve tried too many times. Try again later.- What it usually means
- Usually a temporary security limit after repeated password attempts. (For code attempts, see the “too many codes” message in login code not received.)
- What to do
- Stop and wait, then try once from a familiar device (Fix 6).
Confirm your identity- What it usually means
- Facebook wants extra proof it’s you before letting you in, which can happen after a new device, location or unusual activity.
- What to do
- Follow the on-screen steps inside the app or website only (Fix 5).
We suspended your account / We disabled your account- What it usually means
- An enforcement decision, not a password problem. Meta says a suspension can be appealed within 180 days by logging in; a disabled account is permanent.
- What to do
- See Facebook account disabled or suspended.
How to change your Facebook password in the app (when you can log in)
Meta’s steps for the Facebook app:
- Tap Menu (☰). iPhone: top left of the Home screen. Android: top right of the Home screen. (It swaps sides on your profile page.)
- Tap Settings and privacy, then Settings.
- Tap Accounts Center (or Accounts Centre) and select Password and security. If you don’t see Accounts Center, select Password and security directly.
- Tap Change password, then tap the account you want to update.
- Fill in Current password, New password and Re-type new password, then tap Change password. The screen says a password must be at least 6 characters and should mix numbers, letters and special characters (such as ! $ @ %). Longer and unique is safer.
- Don’t remember the current one? Select Forgot your password? (just below the boxes) and Facebook will send a reset link to your email.
- If you think someone else has used your account, tick Log out of other devices before you tap Change password.
Deactivated your account? How getting back in usually works
Deactivating an account is different from deleting it or having it disabled by Facebook. Meta says you can reactivate a deactivated account at any time by logging in to Facebook, or by using your Facebook account to log in somewhere else. You’ll need access to the email or mobile number you use to log in. If your Instagram account is in the same Accounts Center, Meta says you can also reactivate Facebook from Accounts Center on Instagram.
For an additional profile, Meta’s path is: log in to your main account > Settings & privacy > Settings > Accounts Center > Personal details > Account ownership and control > Reactivation (it only appears if a profile is deactivated or scheduled for deletion).
- If you’ve forgotten the password for a deactivated account, use the normal password reset first.
- If you asked Facebook to delete the account, act fast. Meta’s deletion page says you can cancel by logging in within 30 days and choosing Cancel deletion, and that the number of days varies by region. Once the deletion is complete, you can’t get the account back. See deactivate or delete your account.
- If you didn’t deactivate it yourself and other details have changed, treat it as a possible hack and use hacked account recovery.
- If you see a notice that Facebook disabled or suspended the account, that’s an enforcement decision: see account disabled or suspended.
Make the next login problem easy to fix
Once you’re back in, take five minutes to set up the things that make recovery fast. Meta itself recommends two-factor authentication, passkeys and its Security Checkup.
- Update your contact details. Make sure the email and mobile number on the account are ones you’ll still have in a year.
- Add a second contact method, so one lost phone or closed inbox doesn’t lock you out.
- Turn on two-factor authentication, and save Facebook’s recovery codes somewhere safe and offline. See login code not received for how codes work.
- Use a password manager so you’re never guessing which password you used.
- Review where you’re logged in: Meta calls it the Where you’re logged in section of your Settings. Select any device or location you don’t recognise and log it out.
- Check for passkeys. If Facebook offers to create a passkey on your phone, it lets you sign in with your fingerprint, face or screen lock instead of typing a password. If a passkey sign-in fails, look for an option to use your password or another method instead.
How to know it worked
- You can log in with your current password on every device you use.
- You stay logged in after closing and reopening the app or browser.
- The email and phone number in your security settings are yours and up to date.
- The “Where you’re logged in” list shows only your devices.
Still not working? Your next steps
- Start again from Meta’s Account Recovery Hub (external site, opens in a new tab), which covers Facebook, Instagram and Threads.
- If your email, phone or password were changed by someone else, switch to hacked account recovery. Meta’s login help says to visit facebook.com/hacked on a device you’ve used to log into Facebook before.
- If codes are the problem, work through login code not received.
- If you see a suspension or disabled notice, follow account disabled or suspended.
- Ask a friend to check whether your profile is still visible. If it is and posts are appearing that you didn’t make, it’s likely hacked.
Official help routes
SocialAppFix can’t see or change your account. For account decisions, recovery and appeals, only the platform’s own tools can help. These links go to the official sites.
- Meta Account Recovery HubMeta · Facebook, Instagram, Threads (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Recover your Facebook account if you can’t log inFacebook Help Center (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Find your account (facebook.com/login/identify)Facebook Help Center (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Can’t access your account email or phoneFacebook Help Center (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Think you were hacked? facebook.com/hackedFacebook (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Reset your Facebook passwordFacebook Help Center (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Reactivate your Facebook profileFacebook Help Center (external site, opens in a new tab)
Frequently asked questions
Can I call Facebook to get back into my account?
Meta has a help page about phone support availability; check it before trusting any number. Numbers posted in comments, ads or search results claiming to be “Facebook support” are a common scam. Use the recovery tools inside the app or on facebook.com.
How do I log in to Facebook without my old email or phone number?
Start at facebook.com/login/identify, find your account, then choose the option for no longer having access to those details. Give a new email or number you can use, and complete any identity check Facebook shows.
Why does Facebook say my password is wrong when I know it’s right?
Usually because of autofill entering an old password, Caps Lock, or a change made on another device. If you didn’t change it and it no longer works, someone else may have, so check for a security email from Facebook and see the hacked-account guide.
Why does Facebook keep logging me out?
Blocked or cleared cookies, a browser extension, an outdated app or a password change elsewhere are frequent reasons. Fix 7 covers each device.
How do I reactivate a Facebook account I deactivated?
In most cases you log back in with your email or phone and password. If you’ve forgotten the password, reset it first. Meta’s reactivation help page (linked above) has the current steps.
Is the Facebook video selfie request real?
It can be. Meta says it offers an optional video selfie in some regions and deletes the facial data afterwards. A genuine request only appears inside Facebook during a recovery you started, never from a person messaging you. More on how it works.
How long does Facebook account recovery take?
Meta doesn’t publish a fixed timeframe. Simple password resets are often quick; identity reviews can take longer. Avoid submitting repeatedly while you wait.
Can a recovery service or “hacker” get my account back?
No outside person can access Meta’s systems for you. Paying for “recovery” is a well-known scam. The official tools are free.
Did this solve your problem?
Your answer stays in your browser — nothing is sent or stored. The “tell us” link opens your own email app.
Out of date or didn’t work? Email us — never include passwords or codes.
Sources and how we checked this guide
We base steps on the platforms’ own help pages and the phone makers’ official guides. Menu names change often and can differ by device, app version and region. Where a platform page could not be independently read, we link it so you can check the current wording yourself.
- The difference between deactivating and deleting your Facebook profile (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Permanently delete your Facebook account (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Change or reset your Facebook password (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Check if an email is really from Facebook (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Reset your Facebook password (external site, opens in a new tab)
- My personal Facebook account is suspended or disabled (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Account Recovery Hub – Facebook, Instagram, Threads (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Making it Easier to Access Account Support on Facebook and Instagram (Dec 2025, updated Mar 2026) (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Testing New Ways to Combat Scams and Help Restore Access to Compromised Accounts (2024, updated 2025) (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Helping Older Adults Avoid Online Scams (Oct 2025) (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Recover your Facebook account if you can’t log in (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Troubleshoot finding your account on facebook.com/login/identify (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Recover your Facebook account if you can’t access your account email address or mobile phone number (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Troubleshoot login with two-factor authentication on Facebook (external site, opens in a new tab)
- facebook.com/hacked – Recover a hacked account (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Phone support availability on Facebook and other Meta Company Products (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Reactivate your Facebook profile (external site, opens in a new tab)
- How to manually update apps from the App Store (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Close an app on your iPhone or iPod touch (external site, opens in a new tab)
- How to check the storage on your iPhone and iPad (external site, opens in a new tab)
- How to update apps on Android (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Fix an installed app that isn’t working on a Pixel phone (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Clear up space (external site, opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed 20 October 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 18 January 2027. How we write and review guides.
What changed
- 21 October 2026: Added Meta’s rule for cancelling a deletion: log in within 30 days (varies by region).
- 21 October 2026: Reactivation steps confirmed from Meta’s Reactivate your Facebook profile page.
- 21 October 2026: Keyword tidy-up: the general phone-vs-computer query belongs to the Facebook not working guide; this page keeps the login-specific version.
- 20 October 2026: Owner confirmed the iPhone app matches Android except the ☰ Menu button, which sits on the opposite side; iPhone steps updated and hedges removed.
- 20 October 2026: Menu position per device confirmed: iPhone from Meta’s iPhone steps (owner-supplied), Android from owner screenshots.
- 20 October 2026: Linked Meta’s change-password help page (URL confirmed by the owner).
- 20 October 2026: Change password screen fields, password rule and “Log out of other devices” option confirmed from an owner screenshot (Android).
- 20 October 2026: Added Meta’s password-change path and its reset rules (daily limit; two-factor number can’t be used for resets).
- 20 October 2026: Rewrote the lost-email/phone fix to follow Meta’s own step-by-step help page, including the exact button names and the rule that new contact details must not have been used on the account before.
- 20 October 2026: Confirmed Meta’s login-help routes: reset if you still get emails/texts, codes checklist, lost-access route, facebook.com/hacked from a familiar device.
- 20 October 2026: First published.
- 20 October 2026: Editorial audit corrections applied.
SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta or Facebook. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.