Facebook account locked: how to unlock it

In short

How do I unlock my Facebook account?

Open Facebook, select Get started and follow the steps; Facebook may ask you to confirm your identity. You can also follow the link in Facebook's email about the lock. If you can't log in to start, use Facebook's account recovery steps. After a security check, Facebook says you have to wait 24 hours before you can log in.

Locked, disabled or limited?

Locked: Facebook saw unusual activity and locked the account for security. You get an email saying so, or see a message when you log in.
Disabled or suspended: you see a disabled message when you log in. That's a different process: see our disabled account guide.
Limited access: you can still browse but can't comment or send friend requests, often because a computer you used may have malware.

Unlock a locked account

1Open Facebook, or follow the link in the email Facebook sent you about the lock.
2Select Get started and follow the on-screen steps.
3Confirm your identity if Facebook asks, for example with a code sent to your phone or email.

If the confirmation code doesn't arrive

Codes sometimes take longer to arrive. If you've already asked for several, wait a day before trying again.
Make sure you're checking the right phone number or email address, and look in your spam folder.
On your phone, check blocked messages: it may be screening or blocking confirmation texts.
Check your network connection and that your phone has space for an SMS, then try restarting it.
Ask your mobile provider whether your plan allows the type of message Facebook sends.

The 24-hour wait and limited access

After you complete a security check, Facebook says you have to wait 24 hours to log in. Your friends can still see your account during that time, but you can't use it. It's a security precaution, not a sign that something went wrong.

With limited access you can still browse Facebook, but you can't comment on posts or send friend requests.
Facebook says this can happen when a computer you used may have a virus or malicious software, and that the account should return to normal once the problem is fixed, which can take a few days.
Depending on the issue, you may be able to use Facebook normally on another computer, phone or tablet. Updates appear in your Support Inbox.

If you can't log in to unlock it

If the account is locked but you can't log in to start the steps, Facebook says it can help you recover the account. If you no longer have the email address or phone number on it, follow Facebook's steps for recovering without them, or see our hacked Facebook account guide.

Frequently asked questions

Why did Facebook lock my account?

Facebook says it may lock an account for security when it sees unusual activity. The lock protects you, and you remove it with the identity check.

How long does a Facebook lock last?

There's no fixed time for the lock itself: you unlock it by completing the steps. After a security check, Facebook says you have to wait 24 hours before you can log in.

Is a locked account the same as a disabled one?

No. A disabled account shows a disabled message and needs a review: see our guide to disabled Facebook accounts.

Official sources

The platforms' own help and policy pages. We are not affiliated with them.