I forgot my Facebook password. Now what?

I think that my former girlfriend changed my Facebook password, somehow, but correct or not, I can't log in to Facebook any more and need to recover it or otherwise figure out what my new password is or reset it. Help! How do I recover my Facebook password?

Dave's Answer:

Oh, that's a tough one, because if you can't reset your account and you don't have access to the email address associated with your Facebook account, it's possible you're out of luck.

Let me start by making an observation, because I know some readers will ask me if I can help them recover their passwords or otherwise gain access to an account where they've 'forgotten everything' about the account, including zip code, email address, etc: If you can't prove unequivocally that you are the owner of an account then no-one is going to help you gain access, because it's too likely that you aren't the owner and are trying to have someone help you hack into someone else's account. Not good.

If you are the account owner and have all sorts of proof, I still can't help you out because I don't have any secret contacts at the Facebook account management team, nor would I want to help you anyway. Why? Liability. Let's say that you had a scheme where you really could trick me into helping you out. Then the true owner of the account found out I was involved and sued me for enabling your hacking. Or, flip that around, I help someone else get into your Facebook account. Not good, eh?

Yeah, so please don't ask me to help you recover your password or otherwise hack into a specific account as I can't do it for you...

Now, all of that said, let's see what options Facebook has set up for forgotten passwords...

facebook login lost forgotten password 1

You've seen that before, and presumably when you try to log in you're finding that Facebook no longer likes your password. Not good. Instead of your news stream of updates from your friends, you get to this screen instead:

facebook login lost forgotten password 2

Try again with your password -- maybe you typed it in wrong the first time -- but if you really don't know it, you'll end up here:

facebook login lost forgotten password 3

Did you notice on the first failed login screen that it indicated you could log in with your account name and password or your cellphone number and password? If you've associated your cellphone with your Facebook account, it's an alternative path into your account, which is pretty helpful.

Then again, this might be when you realize that you haven't...

facebook login lost forgotten password 4

Time to click on "Forgot password" on the bottom of the screen, since it's clear you don't have the ability to log in to your Facebook account as is...

facebook login lost forgotten password 5

I entered my email address, since I hadn't associated my cell phone number with my Facebook account (a dumb move, one that I'll explain how to fix in another article). It doesn't email me the actual password to my account (which is bad security) but instead the ability to reset the password to something new.

Am I sure?

facebook login lost forgotten password 6

I am indeed! I click on "Reset my password" and...

facebook login lost forgotten password 8

A few minutes later the following message shows up in my Gmail mailbox:

facebook login lost forgotten password 7

To reset the password for my Facebook account, I click on the complicated URL in the middle of the email message and Facebook then asks me to enter the new password I'd like twice. Done.

If you can't get to this point then it sounds like the account is no longer associated with your email address (or you don't have access to that mailbox because, well, it isn't your account). At that point I'd suggest you email Facebook and make the best case you can. And keep your fingers crossed.

More Useful Facebook Help Articles:

✔ How can I block event invites on Facebook?

I have a friend who keeps inviting me to webinars where he pitches his make-money programs. I really like the guy, but hate...

✔ Shortcut for blocking games on Facebook?

I saw your article from a while back about blocking Coasterville notifications on Facebook and was wondering if you had a shortcut or...

✔ Update Facebook profile picture without notifying friends?

Hey Dave! Whenever I change my profile picture on Facebook all my friends are notified of this change. Not good. How do I...

✔ How do I permanently block CoasterVille on Facebook?

My brother is really into Facebook games and the latest that he seems obsessed with is called CoasterVille. I think it's all about...

✔ Disable audio notification sound in Facebook?

This is something new: When I'm logged in to Facebook I now get an annoying audio beep every time someone posts something new...

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: Facebook Help (Article 9607, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: facebook passwords, facebook security, forgotten password, lost password
Previous: How do I create folders on my iOS 4 Apple iPhone 4?
Next: How do I disable message threading in Google Gmail?

Reader Comments To Date: 60

Michelle Amante said, on October 1, 2010 2:17 AM:

Im trying to reset my password but the problem is I dont know my confirmation code so I really needed help, please!

Christie Love said, on October 22, 2010 1:14 PM:

This seems to be happening more and more. I'm glad Facebook has implemented some sort of password recovery in their site.

Some people have to go to more drastic lengths to recover their passwords.

Justce said, on November 7, 2010 10:37 AM:

Well Dave,

I've done all these steps you've given and everything was going perfectly until...

I finished everything you said to do and it led me to another confirmation page (still on Step 1) which means, you didn't finish explaining everything. You only told us half of what to do.
It says to either confirm by a text message or to receive an automated phone call.

That's where my problem comes in:

My phone is unavailable at this time.

Soooo...what do I do? What can you do if you cannot use your phone to confirm your code?

Sylvie said, on January 22, 2011 12:47 PM:

I logged out of Facebook the other day and forgot my password. I requested a password change, as instructed above, and Facebook said they'd send me a confirmation code to reset my password; however, I have yet to receive a confirmation code. I have contacted Facebook but I *still* cannot get them to send me a new confirmation code to my e-mail address.

I am getting e-mail notifications about from friends on facebook, but I still am not getting a confirmation code. I have checked my spam folder (nothing there). I don't know why I am not receiving a confirmation code. Any other ideas?

Dave Taylor said, on January 23, 2011 9:28 AM:

Justce and Sylvie, this is why it's critical to set up the secondary confirmation systems, etc, before you lose access or forget your password. :-( Sylvie, you might check this article to see if it's something you can do to get online:

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

it requires that you've registered your mobile phone with Facebook, which you can't do if you've lost access. Otherwise, is there a possible secondary email addr you have used that's not your primary email? I am pretty sure that Facebook can use one address for notifications and a second address for password recovery type admin email.

Good luck!

meriam said, on March 7, 2011 8:23 PM:

i cant login my facebook why?i enter my password but i cant enter to facebook

Guerzon S.Bay-an said, on March 10, 2011 9:41 PM:

I forgot my facebook password.

swondaha mutemula said, on April 27, 2011 10:56 PM:

i was trying to open a new account but it shows that there is an account associated with my email address

punky lj ortiz said, on May 14, 2011 8:43 AM:

please help me to back may facebook
im serious im the one who own the face of ortizkristina83@yahoo.combut i fofgot my new password

Julian saah said, on July 15, 2011 12:01 AM:

Please help me with my Facebook password. I forgot it

david mckellip said, on August 31, 2011 9:54 AM:

when I opened my facebook account my email was davidjustice1313@aol.com , I've since dropped AOL, now have justice131313@hotmail.com. my hot mail add. appears , a code is sent to my hotmail add. but when I enter the code it is not accepted , I am unable to access. PLEASE HELP. SEND ANY HELP TO EMAIL(HOTAIL)add.. I have no problems verifing this is my facebook.

anthony james said, on September 3, 2011 2:33 AM:

what im doing now

Nafor Reuben said, on September 19, 2011 9:36 AM:

i need my facebook password

atiullah said, on September 27, 2011 3:08 PM:

reset my facebook

phokoane mmetja raesibe terry said, on October 26, 2011 11:16 PM:

I forgot my facebook password,can I reset the password and still use my existing account,how do I reset the password

Ann Winsly Maliwanag said, on October 28, 2011 6:02 PM:

Can u help me to locate my password pls .! I dont know how .!

mc budgie williams said, on November 14, 2011 10:54 AM:

i for got my facebook email login and password

sophia said, on December 8, 2011 12:35 PM:

please i forget my password

zahraa habib said, on January 6, 2012 10:53 PM:

my sister has the same email on facebook as me but i also forgot my password

Kamran sheikh said, on January 7, 2012 5:07 AM:

I forget my password what should i do

sadaqat said, on January 28, 2012 2:03 AM:

i have forget my password

simangaliso said, on February 18, 2012 12:47 AM:

i dont know my confirmation password i really need it

Ann Laidley said, on February 26, 2012 3:25 PM:

My daughter login in to facebook on my account and now I cannot go to my facebook page , could you help me please.

adriana said, on March 15, 2012 6:09 PM:

Don't remembermy password

balamani said, on March 16, 2012 12:43 AM:

sir my name is balamani i forgot my password but i lost my phone number please help me my email adress is balacute3@gmail.com

Daniel katey said, on March 18, 2012 3:47 PM:

I once change my password and now i cant remember it.but i still use my facebook account pls in jesus name send me my password .thak u

kaiboi said, on March 20, 2012 2:28 PM:

Hi I made a facebook thru mobile advie using my phone number to make an account.I went on and change it and made another using yahoo.they send me new pasword but can't get thru because I didn't make a yahoo account..so I'm asking you if you can please help me figur out how can I get new password without sending it to yahoo??I try phone number and it didn't work.I want get to my facebook account befor someone makes a fake page using my pictures..

mokobe said, on March 29, 2012 8:42 AM:

i have my password is mokoena,i cant understand that i have lost my facebook account,because my password please help

mahendra bogati said, on March 30, 2012 1:51 AM:

forgeten facebook password

arpit jain said, on April 23, 2012 5:42 AM:

i forget my facebook a/c password. i have 2 a/c closed
plese close the inactive a/c of arpit jain

Rina Bekker said, on April 29, 2012 9:20 AM:

I forgot my password please let me know how I can reset it

krgnanasundaram. said, on May 1, 2012 8:53 AM:

I forget my Facebook Password. Send mail to me.Thanking YOu.

veenagyan said, on May 7, 2012 3:38 AM:

i want to reset password but i dont know our confirmation code so plz help me plz

afasar ali said, on May 25, 2012 11:20 PM:

i have forget my g-mail & Facebook passwor. and also
change my recovery cell number. but i know my last password. please help me....... please.

sayeed said, on May 28, 2012 2:19 PM:

i forgot my password my facebook account so please help me i want to know my old password

pallavi said, on June 12, 2012 10:03 AM:

marya password show ni kar rha plz help me.

Sunny gupta said, on June 19, 2012 10:27 AM:

I forgot my passward

happy tebane said, on July 3, 2012 10:37 AM:

Plz help me to get a new password i jst 4get it,i cnt log in plz

Margie said, on July 4, 2012 7:00 PM:

I know my E-Mail it's just my password that I forgot.

Nomandla ananda mthembu said, on July 9, 2012 1:56 PM:

I have forgoten my password and i cant log in my facebook

sagar rana said, on July 16, 2012 10:46 PM:

i forgot my password of facebook account pls send my password on my mobile no. +919667279298

Ramireztrinyblinks said, on August 6, 2012 11:26 PM:

Please my girlfriend change my passcode and she forgot it

sukhada said, on August 15, 2012 3:00 AM:

please help me to get my old facebook profile in few minutes

tashira said, on September 11, 2012 7:52 PM:

I forgot my password

Wendy said, on October 1, 2012 8:39 PM:

I am trying to set my face book up on my cell phone and can not remember my password on my labtop it is on so I just need to go in but on my new phone what I thought was my password it is not would you be able to help Thanks

abraham said, on November 3, 2012 11:20 AM:

i have forget my password now what to do?

balwinder singh said, on November 11, 2012 4:06 PM:

i for get my password please help

howard wesley said, on November 13, 2012 1:18 PM:

i forgot my facebook password

zaty said, on November 27, 2012 4:49 AM:

emm hy.. i forgot my password..so how can i get the confirmation code?i need your help.

Behrouz rezaie said, on January 13, 2013 4:34 PM:

Thank you:facebook

jacqueline levy martin said, on January 14, 2013 8:40 PM:

I for got my facebook pass word help!!

violeta villaos said, on January 27, 2013 1:37 AM:

i forgot my facebook password

myra alayon said, on February 21, 2013 8:33 AM:

sir i really forgot my password im trying my best to open my account but it cant i really need your help please help me..................

micheal said, on February 23, 2013 9:30 AM:

i forget my passeord

princess simran said, on March 2, 2013 12:00 PM:

i forgot my password.i want my password.plz help me plz

tirfeetolcha said, on March 22, 2013 6:10 AM:

I forgot it my password please help me

shivanee said, on March 28, 2013 2:42 AM:

i forgot my password of both my fb account and email id what to do????

Orrin said, on March 29, 2013 4:37 PM:

After years of being cairfull to make sure that the box was no checked so somebody accessing my system could not get to my mail account without my password, I went and missed it once and now my Email is unsecoure on my system. how do I return to where I have to enter a password to get to my e-mail and maby diable the check box so this does not happen again. Please do not post this message. thank you for your time. O.

ejaz yousaf said, on April 23, 2013 3:08 AM:

i forget my password. i want my password plz help me plz plz plz

patrick said, on May 3, 2013 2:16 AM:

i fogort my facebook password

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!

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

I forgot my Facebook password. Now what?

Reader Comments To Date: 60

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

Check This Out Too...