How do I change my password on AOL?

I want to change my account password on America Online (AOL) but am pretty clueless about how to do that. Can you show me? Thanks, Dave.

Dave's Answer:

It's pretty easy when you remember that America Online (AOL) still has its old "keywords" system in addition to everything else on the new, fancy AOL system. To change your password, you basically just enter the "password" keyword and go from there.

But let me show you step-by-step so you can see how it works.

First off, to enter a keyword, choose "Go To Keyword" from the "Keyword" menu (I'm running AOL 9.0 Security Edition, but older versions have this identical option):

It'll pop up a little window asking what keyword you want to learn more about, and type in "password":

Click "Go" and you'll instantly know that you're traveling in the right direction:

Pay particular attention to the hints about a good, hard to guess password. Using your girlfriend/boyfriend's name, the name of your dog, or even the street you live on isn't going to keep your friends out from your account, and that can be a disaster!

When you've picked out a good password, click on "Change Your Password" and you'll see:

Notice that you have to enter your existing password for this to work too. That's good, because you don't want someone to change your password and trick you while you've gone to the bathroom or popped into the kitchen to grab a cup of tea! :-)

Enter your new password twice and if it's a good password and the two match, you'll be greeted with the cheery:

As it says, don't forget that if you store your account password for automatic login, you'll need to change that too. You can either follow its suggestion, or you can simply wait until the next time you try to autologin: it'll fail and then you can re-enter your password, updating it to the new one.

Finally, if you want to change the password of your master screenname please note that there's nothing different about the process. Log in as the master screenname and follow these same steps exactly.

Good luck!

More Useful Computer and Internet Basics Articles:

✔ How do I blur my house on Google Maps Street View?

I was poking around on Google Maps looking at satellite views of my neighborhood and when I switched to street view, was upset...

✔ Create a custom vanity URL for Kickstarter?

I was reading some updates on Twitter and saw someone had posted a URL that would let me see what projects they'd backed...

✔ Export or Save Subscription List from Google Reader?

Just heard that Google Reader is going away this summer. That stinks! How am I supposed to read my RSS feeds? More importantly,...

✔ Shrink or Reduce a Photo File Size on Mac?

I'm trying to upload some photos to a social media site and it's complaining that they're too big. They are, as they come...

✔ Can I organize my Yahoo Mail with folders?

I've been on Yahoo Mail for years and while most of my friends are now on Gmail or their own Web-based email programs,...

Let's stay in touch!

Sign up for my weekly AskDaveTaylor Newsletter and you'll receive even more tech and gadget help right to your inbox, along with exclusive news and industry updates. It's good stuff. I promise!

Categorized: Computer and Internet Basics (Article 4701, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged:
Previous: Is Nabit for eBay auctions any good?
Next: I can't get music to play on my Sony PSP?

Reader Comments To Date: 173

marilyn chisholm said, on January 12, 2006 6:19 PM:

i have forgotten the password, under this email address, i would like to change it, so i can know what it is.

edwardtarrh said, on January 16, 2006 9:53 PM:

when i change password it comes back-CORRECTLY SPECIFY CURRENT PASSWORD? What dose URL mean? sorry for 2 questions.

tony said, on January 24, 2006 11:53 AM:

when i try to change the password to my account it says specify your password....how can i do that???? im so confuzled ...lol

Phyllis Barker said, on February 21, 2006 8:07 AM:

Dave, I can't seem to get into keyword password to change my password. Internet Explorer sends me an error message that I can't view the web page, why?

ron said, on February 27, 2006 3:49 PM:

Where is the keyword button on this new system?

Sheryl Moffatt said, on February 27, 2006 5:06 PM:

I tried the steps that you gave but I couldn't get to the "change password" screen. Please help!

tonya said, on March 2, 2006 11:36 PM:

cancel my account my computer was stolen they know my password and account info

Dave Taylor said, on March 2, 2006 11:55 PM:

I can't cancel your account, Tonya. You need to cancel it yourself, and promptly! Please see:

http://www.askdavetaylor.com/about_cancel_aol.html

amanda said, on March 8, 2006 11:50 AM:

I need to change my AOL Password threw the website. There is no where I can do that at. The main AOL program is on a broken computer so that is no help to me. Please help!!

Tabby said, on March 23, 2006 1:15 PM:

when i go to change my password the stupid screen comes up but it comes up blank and says it's done! it says "Screen Name Service" at the top but nothing comes up... is there a way around that? b/c i rele need to change my password.
Thanks!

June said, on March 29, 2006 11:14 AM:

I read the steps to change my password. I could not get to the "change password" screen. Where is the keyword button on this new system? Thank you for your help.

Yvonne said, on April 3, 2006 10:02 PM:

Please note that for over a month, users of aol are UNable to change their passwords. The system apparently has been HACKED. When you try to change, it takes you to the screen and then freezes up your computer and does not allow you to type anything in any of the fields. I contacted live help support and they reset my aol password last week. Tonight someone signed onto my account from another location while i was online and bumped me off with a message telling me my account had been signed on from another location!!! i called billing and through an automated voice got my password changed again to something with numbers and letters that is impossible to remember! now i have to call FRAUD tomorrow and report this. And you still cannot change passowrd online. Family in NY cannot change theirs either. It's the main system that's been hacked! NO COMPUTER SYSTEM SHOULD BE DOWN OVER A MONTH LIKE THIS! and then find you account accessed!!!

Junior said, on April 15, 2006 9:02 AM:

Someone signed on to my Screenname While i was online how did they do that no one knows my password and how do i find out who did it

Dave Taylor said, on April 16, 2006 12:38 PM:

Junior, I'll bet you have some spyware that's ended up installed on your computer so when you signed in to AOL, the malicious program sent your account and password to a hacker who then popped in to test it, kicking you out. You really need to run some antispyware software on your computer, but first, you need to change your AOL password - if the hacker hasn't already done so, shutting you out of your own account!

SHERRY said, on April 22, 2006 5:33 PM:

i want to change my new email back to my old email taylorsmithf@aol.com

Hannah Shaffin said, on May 11, 2006 1:58 PM:

I do not see "keyword" in my menu. How can I change my password?

childs123 said, on June 3, 2006 11:03 AM:

Thank you

lily said, on June 4, 2006 11:26 PM:

when im sending an email how can i put "priority"mail or importance on aol?

albie blackler said, on June 5, 2006 3:06 PM:

I want to make a new screen name and make a new e-mail address but every time I do it tells me to log onto the master screen name and I cant do that because I dont know that password because it belongs to someone else so what do I do

shane said, on June 7, 2006 4:20 PM:

can i will change my new screen name but i don't like my screen name

shane said, on June 7, 2006 4:21 PM:

can i will change my new screen name but i don't like my screen name

serine said, on June 17, 2006 6:36 PM:

hi dave i happend to forget my masters screen name password and i have no clue of what to do..can u please help me that screename is very important to me.....thank you soo much!!!...bii

john said, on July 7, 2006 1:22 AM:

i lost my answer to my account security question an i want to creat a new screen name an i cant.what do i do?

Doreen Williams said, on July 10, 2006 1:02 PM:

i need to change my password

bob said, on July 15, 2006 4:37 AM:

dave how i cange screen names

lucy said, on July 21, 2006 2:43 PM:

I want to change my password on my AOL screename but when I go to keywords and type in password it says - you must sign on with an AOL screename- how do I do that?

Reema said, on August 2, 2006 9:20 PM:

i lost my answer to my account security question an i want to creat a new screen name an i cant.what do i do?

donald malic said, on August 4, 2006 6:55 PM:

i followed your way to change my pass word and when i get down to the change password it tells me to enter my old password and then enter my new password twice i can not do this because there are x's in the field and i can not get them off

Shannon Johnson said, on August 12, 2006 1:53 PM:

HI I would like to know how to put a different password on my Email account, I share my computer with other people, and would like my Email to be private, Please help. Thank You Shannon Johnson

Jen said, on August 31, 2006 8:37 AM:

I have 2 kids at home and they use my password to go on line so when im on they log me off at work please help.

ROBIN said, on September 5, 2006 11:09 AM:

HOW DO I CANCEL MY AOL.COM

ROBIN said, on September 5, 2006 11:17 AM:

CHANGE MY PASSWORD PLEASE

Dianne Baughman said, on September 11, 2006 10:29 PM:

I had my password for about 7 years. I use to be marybaughceo and now I am on JoeBaugh98 account as Dianne720 but lost everthing I had save plus my huge important address book. Now, last night I was on my account for a good while and was shut down because as AOL told me in a message that some got into Dianne720 and pass word. It scared me because of very important and cash I have in my account. I got rid of the first password and tried to make up another right away but I forgot to write it down. Now I have no password and I can't get into my account in JoeBaugh98. Please help me get a new password to put in my sign on screen.
Thank You,

Dianne Baughman

L.J.Hockman said, on October 8, 2006 8:27 PM:

Right, I have two screen names that are master screen names, authorized to change passwords on any Screen name on this acct.

And I have done this before, BUT I see no way to do this now. At Keyword "password" OR going through settings on the top menu bar you have to know the existing PW

I DO know the answer to the security question, but I see no way to access a window to do that.

katrina said, on October 10, 2006 6:07 AM:

there is no keyword block so i can change my password please help me
katrina

beth said, on October 20, 2006 6:28 PM:

Hey I dont get how to change my password and I need to cause everyone knows it so please help me!

H. Sue Green said, on November 12, 2006 11:07 AM:

started last night and this am when I tried to sign on AOL and it shut me off why ???? I didn't do anything.... very upset.

Thank you..

HSue G

Mary Davis said, on November 18, 2006 2:31 PM:

The other day my son decided he wanted to change the his picture beside his name, and after he did it he changed the password and I cannot get on it at all. His password hint is FBALL, but when I type it in, it come back up did you forget your password. How can I retrieve my (his) password?

Kim said, on November 19, 2006 7:49 AM:

Hi...I changed my password on my master account and no i cannot remember it at all. Can you please tell me how I can reset it so that I can get back on? Thanks so much!
Kim Travalik

Walter Schepp said, on November 23, 2006 7:44 PM:

In transferring from AOL to Qwest with AOL,apparently for purposes of getting on MSN,AOL will not accept my old password (although I can
get directly on AOL.
I have followed the instructions to change
my password (using the same password), have
gotten to "password changed - go to Keyword
and enter 'store your password'" when everyhing
is frozen. How in the hell can this be so
complicated, unless it is AOL's policy to freeze
out all other accesses?

TARANDA said, on November 26, 2006 11:30 AM:

MY MASTER SCREEN NAME IS FOR ME BUT SOMEONE CHANGED THE SIGN ON PASSWORD AND I DON'T NO IT. I HAVE TO SIGN ON LIKE A GUEST I'M THE HOST

Jennifer said, on November 29, 2006 7:15 PM:

I have a Mac so I use Safari and dont sign on or connect anymore. So where do I go to change my password.

Remonda said, on December 3, 2006 8:49 PM:

I cant remember my Account Security Question & I'm on a free aol acct, so I cant ask them. What can I do. I know my password, but I need the Account Security Question to create or delete screen names. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Dave said, on December 27, 2006 12:12 PM:

has my AOL been hacked/hyjacked? I can surf the web and send/receive email, but everytime I try to change my password, go to accounts & billing, or try to download aol's firewall protection, I get sent to the Screen Name Service page, but it is completely blank! I spent 2 hrs on the phone with aol tech support (both the first level--a guy in India--and the second level--a woman in Manilla) they changed my password and tried several other fixes with no success. I even downloaded another copy of 9.0 SE, still no better. Any ideas.

Sandra Phelps said, on December 30, 2006 1:15 PM:

I have this free account and cannot change my password. Nothing seems to work. Tried calling 800 number and recorded message says that I can't be helped live because it is a free account. Tried Live Help on line which put me back to directions that I tried and don't work. Is this an AOL scam to get me to PAY for the address and support?

Bobbie Chalky said, on December 31, 2006 1:45 PM:

I want to change my password but when i go into the site it comes up blank . it says it is done but nothing is on it at all .
thank you
bobbie

Melody said, on January 20, 2007 6:21 PM:

I would like to add a new Screen name on my account. But I have forgot was the password for my account. It ask what School. And I put down what school. How can I find out my pass word? I have been lock out for so many hour's. I tried just the name and the full name and High School. Can you please help me?

vanessa said, on January 24, 2007 8:14 AM:

I'm really finding this creating a new name and not having the correct password frustrating, I sign on almost every day and use the same password, how is this not the password you ask for whe I try to create the new address? I've been trying now for 2 days and get shut down etc. I'm really at a point where I think I should go apple coz this is stupid, I cant get any live support and I've read the same things over and over

Jennifer Laurie said, on January 25, 2007 5:29 PM:

I cannot access my free aol account. I have had the same password for many years now and it is saying that my password is invalid. Which, I know I have not changed it. How do I get help to get into my email? I need to get into it asap. Please let me know who to talk to or who can access my account. I have called aol for the past 2 hrs and have spoken to a couple of people and say they cannot help me because of my "free" account.

Crafty St. James said, on February 1, 2007 5:25 PM:

Hi Dave....I have had a free netscape account for8 years, and a year or two ago they said it was to become an aim account...at the same tme I had an aol account...so when they switched my netscape account to aim, I linked them together....well 2 months ago the netscape account dropped off I could no longer log into it...So I can Aim and netscape and they both say AOL owns the server now...I have been on the phone with Aol forever and they don't get it....today a woman chages my existing aol accounts password cause she doesn't understand....I have to get into that account....Please help...i feel like my hands are tied...

Crafty

Bonnie said, on February 14, 2007 5:38 PM:

I just changed my password, no problem. when it asked me to store the new password, it took me to and ad site of some device to buy, nothing from aol.How do I store the new password and how important is it to do?? Thanks, Bonnie

karen said, on February 15, 2007 3:12 AM:

My web is people pc, but i check my e-mail through aol. I'm trying to change my password, but when i go to keyword it does nothing. Is this because i'm not on aol now?

Chad Johnson said, on February 16, 2007 3:15 PM:

I lost my screen name and password, it was one of those promo deals and now I can't cancel my account, is there anyway to get my screen name and password by using my credit card accout only?

susan said, on February 18, 2007 9:45 PM:

I have two teenage sons that are going to porn websites. Is there something I can install on the computer that will block their access to these sites?

Grant said, on March 12, 2007 11:20 PM:

I dont have aol on my comp but i use aim all the time. My ex has my password and keeps getting on my screen name and sending messages to people and deleting screen names she doesnt like (like my new gf). I need to change my signon password but i dont know how. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!

Ashley said, on March 29, 2007 8:54 AM:

hey i forgot my AOL email password, and security question... i need to change my password because someone knows it and is messin with my aol. please email me how to do that.. thanx

Ann said, on April 2, 2007 9:36 AM:

I am trying to receive the create a screen name page so I can create a second maybe thrid screen name? Please help.

Sonny said, on April 4, 2007 4:47 PM:

woow AOL is the worst company ever.

I finally got to be able to get to My Account, but I can't change my password because the link is broken. Good job AOL I hope you all die.

Jenna said, on April 10, 2007 3:42 PM:

i have an AIM screenname, which is a free account, a recent malware virus kicked me off my AIM name after replicating itself onto my system and mass mailing everyone on my buddylist. im not sure if the virus was responcible or if AIM did this for security reasons, but my password was changed, and when i go to the AIM website to change it via the "forgot password" link, im unable to change it, the link loops from the first security check, to the second, back to the first, and never actualy gets to the "my account" page. my screenname is VenusInferno355 and the email above is whats registered. please help, advice or if you can change it, please please please. im a student and i use AIM with research groups in order to communicate with subjects that participate in expiriments, its important and nessisary that i get my password back. thanks.

lj said, on April 11, 2007 7:31 AM:

this did not help me at all you need to go back and check it out again it is not the same format and it is impossible to get to the keyword screen

Sonjax said, on April 29, 2007 6:44 PM:

Hello
I would like to change one of my AIM's screen name's passwords, however I forget the answer to the security question. Is there any way I can somehow retrieve the answer from AOL themselves through email, or is there any other way I can change the password? Please answer specifically as it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time!

Grace said, on May 6, 2007 12:49 AM:

I'm problems sending out any kind of messages, email, whatever. Would you please help? I can recieve I can't send any email. Grace

Christine said, on May 14, 2007 10:54 AM:

I do not have keyword functions in the toolbar. I saved my password to the wrong computer and want it deleted. Can we change?

Kevin Schreiner said, on May 15, 2007 9:35 PM:

I have this free account and cannot change my password. Nothing seems to work. Is this an AOL ploy to get me to subscribe to AOL so I can change my password?

Xene said, on May 17, 2007 11:01 AM:

I've been 'spoofed' on my free aol account, I no longer have AOL installed, I just use it online, how do I change the password?

Amanda said, on May 17, 2007 11:14 AM:

Web users:

1. Go to https://my.screenname.aol.com and click on the "Manage Your Account" link. If you have not already signed in using your screen name, you will be prompted to do so.
2. Click the "Edit" button next to the password.
3. Enter the information requested and hit "submit."

Kerry said, on June 1, 2007 6:58 AM:

Hi. I have no idea how it happened, but on my new screen name, someone added a picture. It was blank, and today it has some animated guy swearing. Obviously I did not pick this, and I am wondering how it got there, and also how I get it off? I do not have aol keywords as I have not downloaded any version of aol onto my computer. My experience is that aol has always screwed up my computer, so when I got a new one, aol was taboo. At any rate, this picture is not flattering, nor do I want it, so please tell me how I change it. Thanks.

Ginger said, on June 26, 2007 8:01 PM:

Is there a way to tell if someone else is logging into my AOL internet email account? I think my old boyfriend has my password and sometimes it seems like emails are missing.
Thanks.

Adolfo L Ceballos said, on August 8, 2007 7:16 PM:

please help did cant look find change password but did cant accept entre so want new change password how tell me too i want to know please help me cant call u no want messenger machine hate i prefer live person talk me easly than hard messenger machines hate hate that why also thank let me know

medina said, on August 18, 2007 11:57 PM:

need help someone sexual abuse insult against aol make up screenames and change new password thanks . the most important thing sead seferi * mean idea for school homeoworks

raquel said, on August 20, 2007 12:39 PM:

I do not see "keyword" in my menu. How can I change my password?

dilly said, on August 25, 2007 3:09 PM:

where is the aol tool bar

(name not mentioned) said, on September 7, 2007 3:57 PM:

The part where it says you might have to log in first, I'm trying to do that, so I type my user name and password, and click "submit". A few seconds later, the password space is blank and I have to type it all over again!! I've done this (like an idiot) about 7 times and nothing is working!!!!! Is it my computer? Or is the system being retarded? Please tell me!!!
Thank you

andy said, on September 12, 2007 1:00 AM:

Is there another way to change my password, because i can't seem to be able to access (keword) on my computer

nicolette said, on September 20, 2007 2:41 PM:

ok i have a question. i have a sn (immabeyourlayde3) and ive had it for a couple yrs problem is i have the email address to make it under phattygurlny0520@hotmail.com and i forgot that password to so there is no way i can change anything on my screename because of this. Is there anyway you can find out what my password is, send it to me & then i can change it to something i rememeber?

jenn said, on September 20, 2007 7:32 PM:

Go to AOL.com and scroll to the bottom of the page. Choose "customer support" which will bring you to a new screen. IN the "my information" section on the left hand side, you will find a section called "update my password". Click it and follow directions from there.

Marjorie Fleming said, on September 28, 2007 11:52 AM:

I'm still having a problem finding a keyword. I
followed the directons but nothing happens. I'm a
novice.

Danielle said, on October 5, 2007 7:28 PM:

How do I change my screen name?

Ashlee said, on October 9, 2007 8:04 PM:

Hi! I know how to change my password but the only thing is, is that i just cant rmember my current password so thats the whole reason i need to change it! Please Help Me!!!!

Ethel Reede said, on October 16, 2007 3:18 PM:

I have internet service thru comcast but have aol.eamil service, I would like to change my password on the email service but do not understand how . can you please help me. i also would like to change my emai address with aol. email.service. please help me thank you

Xxkiersten43xX said, on October 18, 2007 2:36 PM:

how do i change my password?

Billy said, on October 21, 2007 5:14 AM:

A so called friend of mine,moved out.(THANK YOU LORD)in one of her many ways of getting even ,she says.she has changed my password.i guess i will have to change my screen name as well as my password, how can i do this.

aisha said, on November 20, 2007 5:05 AM:

Why im unable to change my password with same id?

Frosty said, on December 17, 2007 8:48 PM:

After clicking "Go to Keyword" and typing in "password", a different page comes up. It doesn't say anything about a new password. Instead, it say's "Did you know?" I don't know what to do.

Here:https://my.screenname.aol.com/_cqr/login/login.psp?sitedomain=bill.aol.com&authLev=S&lang=en&locale=us&siteState=OrigUrl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fbill.aol.com%252Fmyaccount.adp%253Fnextpage%253Dp2_container_pw.adp%2526jsppage%253Dsupport_portal%252FdoPassword

Elise said, on January 11, 2008 11:09 AM:

I forgot my password for my AOL email and need to get into it to retrieve some mail regarding my college books. I need to change my password.. how can I do that without needing my current password since I forgot it?

trinidad said, on January 17, 2008 12:15 AM:

Where is the keyword button on this new system?

pat price said, on January 29, 2008 12:31 PM:

I wish to change my email address!! please how do I do it Help

carol said, on February 4, 2008 3:04 PM:

My nephew was living with me and and going to porn sites, so I put a password in. I hate this. You have to enter it every few minutes. How do I take it off

Eli said, on February 18, 2008 7:15 PM:

Dave, I have been using my aol/aim account everyday and using the same password everyday, then suddenly it stopped working. I tried resetting my password but i don't know the answer to my security question. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME?!

kyle said, on February 27, 2008 11:36 PM:

dear dave, i was wondering if you could tell me how to change my email address. I would like to keep my account but change my email address. please help me.

mishell said, on March 2, 2008 6:16 PM:

My address book is full, will not take any more addresses. This is a bad situation for me. I really need to figure out how to add more capacity or??? Please help. Thank you, MiShell

sherri boam said, on March 14, 2008 4:49 PM:

hey dave can you help me. on aol i have an account under the email address that i sent but i forgot my password can you please help me dave i have no idea what to do.

sherri boam said, on March 14, 2008 4:54 PM:

dave from my last post i don`t know my current password what so ever but that is ok it will still work right?

Leslie said, on April 8, 2008 5:48 PM:

Hi,
I haven't accessed my aol instant messenger in a couple of years. I remember my login but forgot my password. I went through the motions to get my password but it was emailed to my old email address. Is there any way to retrieve the password with my new email address?

I have many buddies who I've lost touch with and the only means I have of getting in touch with them is through aol im.

Any advice you could give me is greatly appreciated

diane said, on April 28, 2008 1:30 PM:

helllo i need back my email address @aim.com and screen name wont thru password what is going on ? i need to that back i can change my password ..
they won't let me in

Emily Michele said, on April 30, 2008 4:48 AM:

I need to change my password for an AIM screenname, but when I make the request it sends the e-mail to an old e-mail address. How do I change which e-mail the password reminder is sent to? Thank you!

Trisha said, on May 1, 2008 6:34 PM:

What if you do that same thing and it don't come up right?

Loretta said, on May 10, 2008 9:19 PM:

My email disappears! Well actually it may not disappear but the number above the mailbox changes. For instance, I'll have 27 new emails. I'll look up again later and the number above the mailbox says 25! But I count the email in my box and its 27. The only thing I could think of is someone could be checking my email from another location. Do you have any idea? Thanks

Clay said, on May 12, 2008 6:21 AM:

I am visiting my daughter and therefor using her computer. I don't get "keyword" anywhere on the page I'm using. It may have to do with the fact that her computer is using Firefox/gmail/internet explorer and I'm accessing my aol mail from there.

praveen said, on May 14, 2008 7:44 AM:

hai dave
pls let me know how to change the password for my aol mail cannot find the keyword option also pls help me.

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

1 | 2 | All 2 Pages | Next | Last »

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

How do I change my password on AOL?

Reader Comments To Date: 173

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

Check This Out Too...