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jca2's avatar

Do you have any advice for me to get back into my Facebook account?

Asked by jca2 (16849points) March 6th, 2024

Yesterday (Tuesday), apparently there was a big problem around the world with people logging on to their Fb, Instgram, YouTube, Snapchat and other social media accounts.

I got a message to provide password (which I never get) so I looked up my password and put it in, and it said it was incorrect. I did the “forgot password” where it’s supposed to send a 6 digit reset code to your email. It sent the code, and when I put the code it, it kept saying it was wrong. I made sure caps lock was not on, I tried cutting and pasting, and I did the “send code” about three times and kept getting the same code (which, as you know, the code is supposed to be different every time).

I then heard about the problems worldwide, and I had to go out anyway, so I shut the computer off and tried again about six hours later. Still, the same problem. Still, when I did the “send a password reset code” I get the exact same six digits. Then I got a message that I was trying too many resets and I had to do the CAPTCHA and click on “I am not a robot.” I got scared that I would be blocked forever, so I shut it down.

I can still use FB on my phone, which is not my preferred way.

I’m going to try again this evening, and hopefully after 24 hours it will work. I am happy I have access from my phone, and I might try seeing if it can send a code to my phone for reset, since it obviously has my phone number for the app.

Do you have any advice? I am kind of concerned I will be locked out forever, from the website (not the phone app). If worse comes to worse, I can create a new account and my friends and family will be able to access my photos in the present account, but that’s not really a resolution that I want. I want my old account back.

A friend said she has a friend who is still having problems. I have heard that with FB, there is no help as far as resolution from FB itself, since they are probably so overwhelmed with millions of users around the world.

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22 Answers

jca2's avatar

I forgot to add that when I first got the “incorrect passwrod,” I changed my password, and I got an email verifying that I successfully changed it, but when I put that password into FB, it was saying the new password was incorrect. Now both the old and the new passwords are coming up as incorrect.

janbb's avatar

I had the problem for about an hour and stopped trying to get in after looking up my password and trying it a few times. I was in on my phone. Later on, it came up automatically with the regular password filled in and I found out Meta had crashed earlier. But I never did a reset. This doesn’t help you much. Maybe wait another day or so and try a reset password back to the old one??

JLeslie's avatar

I’d just wait a few days and give facebook time to straighten it out.

kevbo1's avatar

I doubt you’ll be locked out forever. I am also doubtful that you got the same six-digit code twice. As someone who has 2fa on everything and manages a website, Because I’ve done this multiple times myself, my guess is that the new code didn’t get sent and you mistook the old code for the new code.

I also think it unlikely that you would be locked out of the website permanenly if you can get it on your phone. If that’s happening, it’s a problem with the website, and not your account. What I’d recommend there if you’re still having a problem is clearing your browser cache and trying again.

In my experience, Facebook’s customer service is surprisingly responsive, so you might try them if you still can’t get in. You might get a call from them, though, so be aware of an odd phone number calling you.

jca2's avatar

I just cleared my brosing data, and tried Facebook again. When I let it load my password automatically, it says “you are entering an old password. Your password was changed 23 hours ago.” When I enter what is the new password, it says it’s wrong. When I do “reset your password” it sends a code to my email, and I’m still definitely getting the same six digit code. When I enter that code where it’s supposed to be entered, for password reset, it says “you’re entering an incorrect code. I’ll wait and try tonight.

It’s definitely the same six digit code, @kevbo1. I open the email every time and the code is the same. It’s like I’m stuck in some kind of limbo.

Mimishu1995's avatar

I don’t know if the situation has changed, but I experienced the same thing yesterday and now I’m able to log in again. It’s an error on FB’s end apparently. You didn’t have to do anything.

jca2's avatar

@Mimishu1995 Yes, if I knew ahead of time I wouldn’t have changed my password, but I didn’t know until I logged off and then I heard about it on TV and the radio.

Mimishu1995's avatar

@jca2 I was horrified when it happened. After failing to get a message for changing password, I went to Google to see how I could fix it. It turned out to be a global problem so I stopped doing anything and decided to wait it out.

kevbo1's avatar

@jca2 that’s really weird about the code. Makes me wonder if everyone is getting the same code.

janbb's avatar

@jca2 I can imagine how frustrating that is!

jca2's avatar

@kevbo1 Yes, so yesterday and today, same code. So odd. Yes very frustrating, @janbb. I can only wait and hope, I guess.

I went to FB’s Help Center page, and they don’t have a way to chat with a live person, only to click on links which bring me to the same resolution, get a code through email, etc. I’m afraid to report it as an issue, because I’m afraid they’ll lock out the account, totally. At least now I can access on my phone.

kevbo1's avatar

Here are some troubleshooting options.

Here are more troubleshooting options Note the many disclosure triangles hide other suggestions.

Zaku's avatar

“Yes, so yesterday and today, same code. So odd.”
– This has me suspect that the browser you are using to do it has CACHED the page contents, so it’s not showing you the current code. If so, if you tell your web browser to clear its cache (or if you use a different web browser), you would get the actual current code.

You might also try using your phone (which you wrote let’s you log in to FB) to reset your password.

LifeQuestioner's avatar

I don’t know how to answer your question. Yesterday I was having the same problem like everyone else, trying to log in. But when I tried to reset my password, I never could get it to send me a code, either through text or email. So I ended up just putting it aside until I saw that Facebook was back up and at that point I didn’t have to log in, it just logged me in like it always does. So I’m amazed you were able to get a code in the first place, and also that later you weren’t able to just log in as normal.

Dutchess_III's avatar

Thanks Obama.

janbb's avatar

^^ What???

Dutchess_III's avatar

LOL! Never mind!

I think it affected PayPal too…

jca2's avatar

When I got home this afternoon, I tried to log in again, and did the “forgot password.” I went to my email and no surprise, I got the same six digit code in the newest email – the same exact code I got about 8 or 10 times in the last 24 hours. It really felt like Groundhog Day. Very frustrating.

I put the code in, anyway, just thinking what the heck, and it worked! So happy! Happy Dance! It let me make a new password (which I wrote down in my book like all my other passwords).

What a huge relief! Thank you everyone for your help and good luck wishes.

elbanditoroso's avatar

Shame – it would have been a good opportunity break the pernicious social media habit.

jca2's avatar

@elbanditoroso For shame, for shame, for shame!

Mimishu1995's avatar

@elbanditoroso I get what you mean, but for people like me who literally need FB for work and keeping in touch with important people, it’s not a relief. This could disrupt lots of important things.

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