Why Won't Facebook Let Me Log In?
If Facebook keeps refusing your login, don't panic and don't keep trying the same thing 20 times in a row — that makes the problem worse. Walk through this checklist in order, slowly. Most issues clear up within 5 minutes.
When Facebook won't let you log in, the cause is almost always one of seven things, listed easiest to hardest: Caps Lock on, wrong password, account temporarily locked from too many wrong tries, browser cookie problem, expired Facebook session, missing two-factor code, or you landed on a fake login page. This guide checks all seven in order. Most people fix it by step 3.
Step-by-step instructions
- 1
Check Caps Lock on your keyboard
Look at your keyboard's top right area for a small 'Caps Lock' light. If it's on, all your letters are typing as CAPITALS — and 'Rose1962' is different from 'rose1962' to Facebook. Press the Caps Lock key once to turn it off, then retype your password slowly.
- 2
Make sure you're on the real facebook.com
Look at the address bar at the top of your browser. The address must start with 'https://' and the domain must be exactly facebook.com (or fb.com). Anything else — facebook-login.com, facebok.com, facebook.support.com — is fake and will steal your password.
⚠ Important: If you arrived at the login page by clicking a link in an email, text message, or search ad, close it and type facebook.com directly. Phishing pages look identical to real Facebook. - 3
Wait 15 minutes if you've tried more than 5 times
Facebook temporarily locks accounts after multiple wrong-password attempts to protect you. The lock auto-clears in 15-60 minutes. Just wait — don't keep trying or the lock can extend to several hours.
- 4
Clear your browser cookies for Facebook
On Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Clear browsing data → check 'Cookies and other site data' → click Clear. On Edge or Safari: same idea, look for 'Clear cookies'. Then close the browser entirely, reopen it, go to facebook.com, and try logging in again.
- 5
Try a different web browser
If you usually use Edge, try Chrome or Firefox. If Chrome, try Edge. Sometimes a browser update breaks Facebook login temporarily — using a different browser works around it. All major browsers are free to download.
- 6
Try Incognito or Private browsing mode
Press Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows/Chrome) or Cmd+Shift+N (Mac) to open a Private window. Go to facebook.com and try logging in there. If it works in Private mode, the problem is a stored cookie or browser extension. Clear them in normal mode.
- 7
Use 'Forgotten password?' if certain the password is wrong
If you've tried slowly without Caps Lock from the real facebook.com and Facebook still says 'wrong password', either you genuinely don't remember it correctly or someone changed it (hacking). Click 'Forgotten password?' to reset. If you didn't change it yourself, also see our hacked-account guide.
What if it's not working?
Problem: Facebook says 'This browser is no longer supported'
Likely cause: Your browser is too old and Facebook blocked it for security.
How to fix: Update your browser. On Windows: open Edge → menu → Help and feedback → About Microsoft Edge — it auto-updates. On Mac: Apple menu → System Preferences → Software Update for Safari. Or download Chrome free from google.com/chrome.
Problem: Facebook keeps showing 'security check' or CAPTCHA puzzles
Likely cause: Facebook is suspicious of activity from your network — sometimes triggered by a virus on shared Wi-Fi.
How to fix: Try from a different network — switch from Wi-Fi to your phone's cellular data, or vice versa. If the problem only happens on home Wi-Fi, run an antivirus scan on your computer (Windows Defender is free and built in).
Problem: Login works but Facebook immediately logs me back out
Likely cause: Browser is set to delete cookies on close, or a privacy extension is blocking Facebook.
How to fix: Settings → Privacy → 'Clear cookies on exit' should be OFF for facebook.com. Disable any ad-blocker or privacy extensions on facebook.com to test. Add facebook.com as an exception if needed.
Problem: I get a 6-digit code but Facebook says 'code expired' or 'wrong code'
Likely cause: Codes expire in 10 minutes. You may also be using an old code from a previous attempt.
How to fix: Click 'Send new code'. Use only the most recent code. Enter it within 10 minutes of receiving it. If multiple codes arrived, only the latest one works.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Facebook say my password is wrong when I'm sure it's right?
Three most common causes: (1) Caps Lock is on (passwords are case-sensitive), (2) you have multiple Facebook accounts and are using the wrong one's password, or (3) someone hacked the account and changed the password. Try slowly retyping with Caps Lock off first; if certain it's correct, your account may be hacked — see our hacked-account guide.
How long does Facebook lock me out for too many wrong attempts?
Usually 15-60 minutes for the first lockout, longer (up to 24 hours) if you keep trying. If locked out, simply wait — don't try again — for at least an hour. Then try once carefully. If still locked, click 'Forgotten password?' to reset rather than continuing to guess.
Why does Facebook keep asking me to verify my identity?
Facebook flags logins as 'unusual' when they don't match your normal pattern — different device, network, location, browser, or after a long absence. To stop the prompts: log in once from your usual home computer on home Wi-Fi, and check 'Save this device' if offered.
Can a virus on my computer prevent Facebook login?
Yes — some malware blocks access to social media to hide from antivirus updates, or redirects you to fake Facebook pages. Symptoms: Facebook loads but the login page is broken, redirects to weird pages, or asks for things real Facebook doesn't ask for. Run Windows Defender (free, built in) for a full scan.
What if Facebook says 'There was a problem with your request'?
Usually a temporary Facebook outage. Check downdetector.com for 'Facebook' to see if it's affecting many people. If yes, wait 30-60 minutes. If only you, clear browser cookies, try a different browser, then a different device.
Why does the Facebook app on my phone work but the website doesn't?
Browser problem on your computer, not an account problem. The app uses different code than the website. Clear cookies on the computer browser, update the browser, or switch browsers. Your account is fine.
Is it normal for Facebook to ask for my password again randomly?
Yes — Facebook periodically asks for re-authentication on trusted devices, after major account changes, or after long inactivity. It's a security feature. Just type your password and continue.
What if I think my Facebook account was hacked?
If your password truly doesn't work and you didn't change it yourself, treat it as hacked. Go to facebook.com/hacked and follow our hacked-account guide. The faster you act, the more recoverable the account is.
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