Facebook account problems — forgotten passwords, locked accounts, and compromised profiles — are among the most common issues we hear about. Here's how to work through them using Facebook's own official tools.
Resetting a Forgotten Password
- Go to facebook.com and click Forgotten password? under the login fields.
- Type in the email address, phone number, or full name linked to your account and click Search.
- Facebook will show you matching accounts. Find yours and click This is my account.
- Choose how to receive your reset code — email or SMS — and enter it when it arrives.
- Set a new password and sign in.
If You No Longer Have Access to Your Email or Phone
After clicking No longer have access to these?, Facebook may offer to send a code to a trusted contact you previously set up, or let you confirm your identity by uploading a photo of a government-issued ID. Follow the on-screen steps carefully. This process can take a few days.
If Your Account Was Hacked
Go to facebook.com/hacked. Facebook will walk you through securing the account, reviewing recent activity, and removing any apps or devices you don't recognise. If the hacker changed the email and password, Facebook still tries to verify you through the original email before the change.
If Your Account Is Disabled
Facebook disables accounts that violate its Community Standards. If you believe this was a mistake, look for an appeal option on the screen where you see the disabled message. You can submit a request for review with supporting information. Note that Facebook does not reinstate accounts that were permanently disabled for serious violations.
Avoiding Scams
Beware of Facebook groups, pages, or individuals claiming they can restore your account for a fee or that they have special access to Facebook's systems. These are always scams. The only legitimate recovery paths are at facebook.com itself.
Still confused about a particular step? Ask us.