Symptoms
- Verification code never arrives by text or email
- Authenticator app code is rejected as invalid
- Code arrives but expires before you can use it
- Locked out of an account waiting on a code
Likely causes
- CommonText message delivery delay from carrier or service issuesSMS codes can be delayed by minutes or occasionally not arrive at all.
- CommonPhone's date and time not set automaticallyAuthenticator apps generate codes based on precise time, and an inaccurate clock causes valid codes to be rejected.
- PossibleUsing an outdated or previously removed authenticator entryIf you reset the account's two-factor setup elsewhere, an old entry in the app will no longer work.
- PossiblePoor cellular signal delaying SMS deliveryWeak signal areas can delay time-sensitive text messages.
- Less commonAccount's two-factor method needs to be reset or reconfiguredOccasionally the linked phone number or authenticator entry is out of date entirely.
What to do
- Check Settings > Date & Time and confirm 'set automatically' is enabled.
- Wait a few minutes, since SMS codes can be delayed rather than lost entirely.
- If using an authenticator app, confirm you're using the correct, current entry for that specific account.
- Try requesting a new code rather than reusing an old expired one.
- Check your cellular signal strength if codes are consistently delayed.
- Use an alternate verification method if the account offers one, like email or a backup code.
- Contact the specific service's support if codes never arrive through any method.
When to call a pro
If you're fully locked out of an important account with no working two-factor method, use that service's official account recovery process rather than repeatedly retrying codes.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.