Learn from my mistakes. Always double check the email address when you type it in the field.
Actually, always double check YOUR email address when you type it in a login field. And your username. Don’t forget your password too.
Typos are the leading cause of “User Lockout.” “User Lockout” leads to frustrated calls to the helpdesk and time lost.
Some common causes of “User Lockout”:
- Misspellings: You may not catch that extra letter when you type it, but reviewing what you typed may help you find it.
- Caps lock: On your keyboard, there’s a special key to make letters appear capitalized. (It’s typically next to the “A” key on American keyboards.) When that key is lit up, it means caps lock is engaged.
- Num Lock: Numlock is another key to look out for. If your password has numbers, you’ll want to confirm that it is engaged.
- Using the wrong username for the system: You have a million logins. I get it. Unfortunately, the login screen will only accept one. Sometimes there are clues on the login screen (ie. Enter your email address.) Look for those, or find a safe way to store your logins (if you need to).
- Using the wrong password for the system: Most password systems require you to change your password from time to time. If you struggle to remember your password, you can typically use a “reset password” link or contact your administrator. If you’d rather write it down, please use a safe option to store your passwords. (And update it when that password is changed.)
- Too many failed login attempts: Most systems give you three tries before locking you out. Some will unlock automatically after 30 minutes, while others may require an administrator to unlock your account.
If you suspect you may be a victim of “User Lockout,” do not be embarrassed. If the site provides a “password reset” link, use that. Otherwise, contact the administrator of the site/computer and ask for help. If you are able to contact a human, please be clear about which system you’re having troubles with and be understanding if they need to change your password.