You can be locked out of your Gmail account for some extraordinary reason. Google’s account recovery process can help you get back in. However, it’s easier if you lose only one key piece of your credentials, like either your username or password, rather than both.
What Causes a Gmail Lockout?
The Google Support troubleshooter lists nine unique reasons which can cause Gmail to lock you out of your account. These are the four common reasons you might come across.
You can’t remember your username.You have lost or forgotten your Gmail password.You are unable to use 2-Step verification from any device.Someone has hacked into your account.
Google can also lock you out proactively if it suspects any unusual activity on your Gmail account.
How Long Does a Gmail Lockout Last?
According to Google, a Gmail lockout can last for a few hours to a few days. This time depends on the nature of the intrusion Google suspects. You can recover an account set up with the proper recovery information in a few minutes with the steps below. A Google Account Help page answers the reasons behind any extraordinary Gmail lockout period.
How Do I Unlock My Gmail Account?
You can unlock your Gmail account by recovering the username or resetting the account password. But before that, you have to set up a secondary recovery email address or a phone number which Google can use to verify your identity. The secondary email address doesn’t necessarily have to be on Gmail.
Recover Your Gmail Account Username
It’s rare to forget your Gmail username, but it can happen when the account lies unused for a long time. Follow these steps to recover your username.
Recover Your Gmail Account Password
Forgetting your Gmail account password is more common than losing the username. Here are the steps to reset your password.
Recover a Hacked Gmail Account
You can take precautions to secure your account if you suspect someone else is using your account. The methods to use will depend on these two situations: You can log into Gmail: Enter Google My Account and select the Security page. Then, follow the security recommendations to secure your account from unwanted intrusions. You cannot log into Gmail: Follow the steps outlined in the earlier sections to recover your account.
How Can I Unlock My Gmail Account Without a Phone Number and Recovery Email?
Google offers a few workarounds to unlock your Gmail account without a phone number or recovery email. Try them though success isn’t assured. If a lot of time has passed since you used the account on a familiar device or network, then the chances of unlocking the account are low.
