The Most Common Reasons You're Locked Out
If you can't sign into your YouTube account, the problem is almost always one of four things: you're using the wrong password, your account has been temporarily locked for security reasons, you're trying to sign in on a device that doesn't recognize you, or there's a problem with your internet connection. YouTube doesn't usually delete accounts without warning, so if you can reach the login page, your account still exists—you just need to get back in.
Start by checking whether you're typing your password correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter. If you've tried the same password several times and it keeps failing, move on to the password recovery steps below rather than guessing further—too many wrong attempts will lock you out temporarily.
Key Takeaways
- Wrong passwords and temporary security locks account for most sign-in failures; try your password once, then use the "Forgot password?" link if it doesn't work.
- YouTube may ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number before letting you reset your password.
- If you see a message saying your account is "temporarily locked," wait a few hours before trying again rather than attempting multiple logins.
- Two-factor authentication adds a security step that requires a code from your phone or email; if you've lost access to that device or email, you'll need to use your recovery codes.
- Clearing your browser's cache and cookies, or trying a different browser entirely, often fixes sign-in problems that aren't related to your password.
How to Reset Your Password
Go to the YouTube login page and click "Forgot password?" below the password field. YouTube will ask you to enter the email address or phone number associated with your account. If you don't remember which one you used, try the email address you think is most likely—YouTube will tell you whether it recognizes it.
Once you've entered your email or phone number, YouTube will send you a verification code. Check your email inbox (or text messages if you used a phone number) for a message from Google. The code is usually six digits and expires after a few minutes. Enter it on the password reset page, then create a new password. Make it something you haven't used before and something you can remember—write it down in a find place if you need to.
If you don't receive a verification code after a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder. If it's still not there, make sure you're checking the correct email account. Some people have multiple email addresses and forget which one they used for YouTube.
What to Do If Your Account Is Locked for Security
YouTube sometimes locks accounts temporarily if it detects unusual sign-in activity—for example, if someone tries to log in from a country you've never accessed YouTube from, or if there are many failed login attempts in a short time. When this happens, you'll see a message saying your account is "temporarily locked" or "temporarily unavailable."
The fastest way to unlock it is to wait. Most temporary locks last between a few hours and 24 hours. During that time, don't try to sign in again—each attempt resets the timer. If you need to access your account urgently, you can try signing in from a device you've used before (like your phone if you usually watch YouTube on your phone), as YouTube may recognize it as trusted.
If the lock lasts longer than 24 hours, or if you see a message that your account has been "suspended" rather than "temporarily locked," you may need to review YouTube's Community Guidelines. Accounts are suspended when YouTube detects activity that violates its terms of service. You can request a review of the suspension through your Google Account settings, but there's no may provide it will be overturned.
Fixing Two-Factor Authentication Problems
If you turned on two-factor authentication for your YouTube account, you'll need to enter a code from your phone or email every time you sign in. This is a security feature that makes your account harder to hack, but it also means you can get locked out if you lose access to the device or email address where you receive codes.
If you have your phone or access to the email address you set up for two-factor authentication, the process is straightforward: sign in with your password, then enter the code when YouTube asks for it. If you don't have access to either one, look for a link that says "Can't access your phone?" or "Use a backup code instead." Google gives you a set of backup codes when you turn on two-factor authentication—if you saved them, you can use one of them to sign in.
If you didn't save your backup codes and you can't access your phone or recovery email, you'll need to prove your identity to Google in other ways. Go to your Google Account settings, click "Security" on the left side, and look for an option to remove two-factor authentication or recover your account. Google will ask you questions about your account history and may send a verification code to a recovery email or phone number you set up previously.
Clearing Your Browser Cache and Cookies
Sometimes the problem isn't your password or your account—it's your browser storing old information that conflicts with the current sign-in process. Clearing your cache and cookies tells your browser to forget that stored information and start fresh.
In Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, select "Settings," then click "Privacy and security" on the left. Choose "Clear browsing data," make sure "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files" are both checked, and click "Clear data." In Firefox, click the menu button (three horizontal lines), select "Settings," click "Privacy & Security," scroll to "Cookies and Site Data," and click "Clear Data."
After clearing your cache and cookies, close your browser completely and open it again. Try signing into YouTube. If this was the problem, you should be able to sign in normally. If you still can't sign in, the issue is with your password or account, not your browser.
Trying a Different Browser or Device
If you can sign in on your phone but not on your computer, or vice versa, the problem is likely specific to that device or browser. Try opening YouTube in a different browser on the same computer—if you normally use Chrome, try Firefox or Edge. If you can sign in in the other browser, the issue is with your original browser's settings or cached data, and clearing the cache (as described above) should fix it.
If you can't sign in on any browser on your computer, try signing in on your phone or tablet. If that works, your account is fine and the problem is with your computer's internet connection or network settings. Restart your router and try again. If you still can't sign in on your computer, contact your internet provider to check whether they're blocking YouTube.
If you can't sign in on any device, the problem is almost certainly your password or account security. Go back to the password reset steps above and work through them carefully.
When to Contact Google Support
If you've tried resetting your password, waiting out a temporary lock, and clearing your cache, but you still can't sign in, you may need help from Google. Go to the Google Account Recovery page (accounts.google.com/signin/recovery) and follow the steps to verify your identity. Google will ask you questions about your account, such as when you created it or what devices you usually sign in from.
Be as accurate as possible when answering these questions—Google uses your answers to confirm that you're the real account owner. If you can't remember the answers, tell Google that. It's better to say you don't know than to guess wrong, because too many wrong answers will lock you out of the recovery process temporarily.
Google's support team doesn't have a phone number you can call for YouTube sign-in issues. All support goes through the Account Recovery page or through your Google Account settings. Response times vary, but Google usually gets back to you within a few days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a temporary account lock last?
Most temporary locks last between a few hours and 24 hours. Don't try to sign in repeatedly during this time—each attempt can reset the timer. If your account is still locked after 24 hours, try signing in from a device you've used before, or wait another day before trying again.
Can I sign into YouTube without a Google account?
No. YouTube is owned by Google, and every YouTube account is a Google account. If you don't have a Google account, you'll need to create one before you can sign into YouTube. You can create a Google account at accounts.google.com.
What if I don't remember the email address I used for YouTube?
Try the email addresses you use most often. If none of them work, you may have created your YouTube account with an email address you no longer use or have forgotten. Go to the Account Recovery page and tell Google you don't remember your email—they can help you find it using other information about your account.
Is my password the same as my Gmail password?
Yes. Your YouTube account is your Google account, so your YouTube password is the same as your Gmail password and any other Google service password. If you change your password for one, it changes for all of them.
Why does YouTube ask me to verify my identity with a recovery email?
YouTube uses recovery emails to confirm you're the real account owner before letting you reset your password. This prevents someone else from taking over your account if they somehow get your email address. If you don't have access to your recovery email, you can verify your identity other ways through the Account Recovery page.