I Forgot My Facebook Password — How Do I Reset It?
Forgetting a password is normal — it happens to almost everyone. Facebook has a 'Forgotten password?' button right on the login page, and the reset is usually quick. This guide walks through every screen in plain English with practice mode.
To reset a forgotten Facebook password: go to facebook.com, click the small 'Forgotten password?' link below the login button, type your email or phone number, then choose how Facebook should verify you — usually a 6-digit code by email or text message. Type the code, create a new password, and click Continue. If you have access to your email or phone, the whole reset takes about 5 minutes.
Step-by-step practice mode
Click through each step to practice. The screens look like the real Facebook app — but nothing here changes anything in your real account or device.
Step 1 — Click 'Forgotten password?'
It's the small link below the blue Log In button
Click this link
Step-by-step instructions
- 1
Go to facebook.com and click 'Forgotten password?'
Open your browser, type facebook.com, and press Enter. On the login page, look just below the blue 'Log In' button — you'll see small text that says 'Forgotten password?'. Click it once.
- 2
Type your email or phone number
On the next screen, Facebook asks you to identify your account. Type the email address OR phone number you used to sign up. Click 'Search'.
⚠ Important: If you have multiple email addresses, try each one. Facebook only finds the account if you type exactly the email or phone on file. - 3
Confirm the account is yours
Facebook will show a partial view of your account (usually your profile photo and first name) so you can confirm you found the right one. Click 'Continue'.
- 4
Choose how to receive your code
Facebook will show options based on what's on your account: send code by email, send code by text, or use a Google account if linked. Pick whichever is easiest. Click 'Continue'.
- 5
Open your email or text messages and find the code
Facebook sends a 6-digit code right away. Open your email inbox or your phone's text messages, find the message from Facebook, and write down or remember the 6 digits.
⚠ Important: Don't click any LINKS in the email — only use the 6-digit number. Phishing scammers send fake reset emails that look like Facebook but link to fake sites. - 6
Type the 6-digit code into the box
Back on the Facebook page, type the 6 digits into the box. Click 'Continue'.
⚠ Important: Codes expire in 10 minutes. If yours is older, click 'Send a new code' to get a fresh one. - 7
Create a new password
Type a new password — at least 8 characters with letters and numbers. Pick something only you would know but is easy for you to remember. Click 'Continue'.
⚠ Important: Write the new password on paper kept in a safe place at home. Don't email it to yourself or save in a public document. - 8
You're back in
Facebook signs you in automatically with the new password. From now on, use this new password every time. Your other devices (phone, tablet) will ask for the new password the next time you open Facebook on them.
What if it's not working?
Problem: Facebook says 'No account found' for my email
Likely cause: The email you typed isn't exactly the one on the account, or you used a different email originally.
How to fix: Try every email address you've ever owned. Try your phone number too. If you have an old email you haven't checked in years, that might be the one — Facebook accounts often outlive the email address used to create them.
Problem: I never receive the code by email or text
Likely cause: Wrong email/phone on file, code went to spam folder, or carrier blocking.
How to fix: Check your spam/junk folder for the email. For texts, look for a 5- or 6-digit number — sometimes carriers filter Facebook codes. If neither arrives in 5 minutes, try the OTHER option (if it offered both).
Problem: I don't have access to the email OR phone on the account anymore
Likely cause: You changed email or phone since creating the Facebook account and never updated it on Facebook.
How to fix: Click 'No longer have access to these?' on the recovery options screen. Facebook will offer alternative paths — trusted contacts (3-5 friends you set up earlier) or ID upload. See our 'Recover My Facebook Account' guide for the full process.
Problem: Facebook accepted the code but rejects my new password
Likely cause: Password too short, too obvious, or matches a previous password on this account.
How to fix: Use at least 8 characters with both letters and numbers. Avoid your name, birthday, or 'password123'. Try a phrase like 'BlueRose1962Garden' — easy for you, hard for hackers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I call Facebook to reset my password?
No. Meta does not offer phone support for personal Facebook accounts and never has. Any phone number that claims to be 'Facebook support' is a scam. The only way to reset a Facebook password is through facebook.com/login/identify. Trini System (347-953-1531) can walk you through Facebook's official process for free, but we cannot reset the password for you.
How long does a Facebook password reset take?
If you have access to your email or phone, the reset takes about 5 minutes total — most of that is waiting 30 seconds for the code to arrive. If you've lost both your email and phone, recovery uses trusted contacts or ID upload and can take 24 hours to 7 days.
Will resetting my Facebook password log me out of Messenger and Instagram?
Yes — Messenger uses the same Facebook account, so it'll sign out and ask for the new password. Instagram is also owned by Meta, but it has its own separate password unless you specifically linked the accounts. After resetting, plan 5 minutes to sign back in on your phone, tablet, and any other devices.
Can someone see what my old Facebook password was?
No. Facebook stores passwords in encrypted form — even Facebook engineers cannot see what your password is. The only way forward when you forget is to reset it, not to 'find' it. If your browser saved the password, you can sometimes view it in browser settings (Chrome → Google Password Manager).
What's a strong Facebook password example?
Pick four random words plus a year that means something only to you — for example, 'GardenRoseSummer1962' or 'BlueChairTuesdayMaple'. Easy to remember, very hard to guess. Avoid: your name, birthday, anniversary, address, kids' names, pet names, or 'password' followed by anything.
Should I save my new Facebook password in my browser?
On your personal computer or phone — yes, it's safer than sticky notes. When the browser asks 'Save password?' click yes. On any shared or public computer (library, hotel) — never save. Also keep one paper copy at home in case browser data gets wiped.
After resetting, will I see all my photos and friends?
Yes — your account is exactly the same as before. Resetting the password only changes who can sign in; it does not delete, hide, or move any photos, posts, friends, messages, or pages. Everything is right where you left it.
Why does Facebook ask me to set up two-factor authentication after resetting?
After a password reset, Facebook often prompts to add 2-Step Verification (called 'two-factor' on Facebook). It's a smart idea — even if a hacker steals your password later, they can't get in without your phone. We strongly recommend turning it on. See our 'Facebook 2-Factor' guide.
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