Does Facebook Lock Me Out After the Wrong Password?

By Kefa Olang

Don't panic; after unlocking your Facebook account, you can resume social networking.
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Privacy and security is important for all Facebook members, so to protect your account, Facebook can lock it if the wrong password is entered numerous times. If your account has been locked, Facebook provides a few options to recover it and reset the password. An account that is locked is still visible to your Facebook friends, but you won't have access to it until it is unlocked.

Account Locks

Facebook can lock you out of your account if you enter the incorrect password multiple times. This security measure actually works in your favor because it protects your account from unauthorized intrusion, decreasing the chances of impersonations, account hacks and other privacy violations.

Security Questions

If you are locked out of your Facebook account, you've most likely forgotten your password, so you will need to do a system recovery. A recovery is basically an identity verification. Answering the security questions associated with your Facebook account is a simple way of recovering it. When you click the "Forgot your password" link on the Facebook login screen, you'll be prompted to identify your account. As you follow the guided prompts, you will need to answer your security questions to gain access to your account. After answering the questions, a 24-hour waiting period is enforced before you can access your account. This security measure is designed to increase account protection. During this lockout, your account will still be visible to your friends. If you don't remember the answers to your security questions, your friends can help you reactivate a locked account.

Getting Help From Friends

In addition to socializing, your Facebook friends can actually help you restore your locked account if you don't remember the answers to your security questions. Facebook relies on your friends to check and verify your identity. After verification, you can be back to social networking in as little as 24 hours. If you click the "Forgot your password" link to access the password reset page, follow the guided prompts to identify your account. When prompted, you must choose a few trusted Facebook friends who can be reached by phone. When you confirm your friend selection, Facebook sends a security code to each of your friends via email. Then, you must contact your friends for the security code to unlock your account.

Recovery Form

If you are still unable to log back in to your Facebook account, you must submit a report (see link in Resources). This process includes providing information about the issue you encountered during the recovery process. If you have a screenshot of the issue, you can also attach it to the report. When you submit the recovery report, Facebook will investigate the matter and get back to you via email with a solution.

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