How long does Gmail lock you out after failed attempts?

Author: Daniel Cregg

If you are locked out of Gmail, this article will walk you through troubleshooting your account.

There could be a unique reason why your Gmail account is restricted. You can regain access by using Google's account recovery procedure. Nonetheless, it's less complicated if you misplace only one important component of your login information, such as your password or username, as opposed to both.

Why Do Gmail Lockouts Occur?Nine distinct causes are listed in the Google Support troubleshooter for Gmail account lockouts. These are the four common explanations you can come upon.

Your username escapes your memory.Your Gmail password has been misplaced or forgotten.No matter what device you use, you cannot use 2-Step verification.Your account has been compromised by someone.Google can also lock you out proactively if it suspects any odd activity on your Gmail account.

What Is the Duration of a Gmail Lockout?

A Gmail lockout may extend from a few hours to several days, according to Google. Depending on what kind of breach Google believes occurred, this time will vary. Using the procedures below, you can retrieve an account that has been set up with the correct recovery information in a matter of minutes.

The explanations for any unusual Gmail lockout periods can be found on the Google Account Help page.

How Can My Gmail Account Be Unlocked?

By obtaining the username again or changing the password, you can access your Gmail account. Prior to that, though, you must set up a backup email address or phone number that Google can use to confirm your identity. It's not required for the secondary email account to be on Gmail.

Retrieve the Username from Your Gmail AccountAlthough forgetting your Gmail login is uncommon, it might occur if the account is inactive for an extended period of time. Take these actions to get your username back.

Click the Forgot email option when prompted to sign in to Gmail.

The Forgot email link that appears while logging into Gmail.Enter your phone number or recovery email on the "Find your email" page.

Recovery EmailSelect Next.

Enter the First Name and Last Name you use for this specific account.

Enter the First Name and Last NameSelect Send to receive a 6-digit verification code on the phone number or recovery email associated with the account.

Verification-Code for GmailType the verification code in the field and select Next.

Enter verification codeChoose the user name you want to recover.

Gmail Choose AccountEnter your password and log into your Gmail account.

Recover Your Gmail Account PasswordForgetting your Gmail account password is more common than losing the username. Here are the steps to reset your password.

Open the Gmail sign-in page.

Enter the username.

Recover Gmail with lost passwordChoose "Forgot password now" or attempt using the password you hazily recall. Google will show "Incorrect password. When you make a mistake, try again or click 'Forgot password' to reset it.

Google requests the most recent password. However, you can try any password you recall for the account by entering it. It is preferable if the password is one of the most current.

The Gmail login screen has a highlighted "Forgot password" option.

Follow the instructions to enter the last password you can recall using for this Google account on the Account Recovery page. Click on Next.

Enter the last password you recall for Gmail.

When you use the Google app on your phone, Google requests that you compare the number shown on the browser to the one on As an alternative, you can have a verification number sent to the backup address you provided when setting up your recovery.

Verification code for Gmail password recovery

Gmail shows the password-change page when the numbers match. After retyping a password in the designated boxes, click Next.

Modify your Gmail password.

Google verifies a recovery phone number and email. If needed, update them.

Gmail Security Verification

To access your email, click Continue to Gmail at the bottom of the page.

Recover a Hacked Gmail AccountYou can take actions to secure your account if you suspect someone else is using your account. Which techniques to apply will rely on these two scenarios:

Access Gmail by logging in: After logging into Google My Account, choose the Security page. Then, to protect your account from unauthorized access, adhere to the security advice.

Gmail is not accessible to you: To retrieve your account, adhere to the instructions provided in the preceding sections.

How Can My Gmail Account Be Unlocked Without a Recovery Email and Phone Number?In order to unlock your Gmail account without a phone number or recovery email, Google provides a few solutions. Try them out, but don't expect to succeed. If it has been a long time since you used the account on a network or device you are acquainted with,

Using the device, the browser, or the IP address you last used to access this Gmail account, navigate to the Google Account Recovery page.

After entering the username, choose Next.

For the account, enter any password you can remember.

A message stating that "Google couldn't verify this account belongs to you" can appear. Choose To see a page with a "Try again" button and some advice, try a different method.

Gmail Retry

Gmail offers an additional security layer with two-step verification. So, if you misplace a crucial piece of information, unlocking such an account can be a little trickier.

FAQHow do I get rid of my Gmail account?Go to the data and privacy area of your Google account page to remove your Gmail account and any other individual Google services. Choose the trash can symbol next to Gmail after clicking Delete a Google Service.

How do I get rid of my iPhone's Gmail account?All of the email accounts you've set up in the Settings app are stored on your iPhone. Go to Settings> Mail> Accounts, press your Gmail account, and then click Delete Account at the bottom of the screen.

How long does Gmail lock you out after failed attempts?