Google Account Locked? Here’s How to Fix it!

Google Account Locked? Here’s How to Fix it!

/ Andrew Holdeman

Although Google is a heavily trusted platform with solid encryption and excellent performance, problems with users are still liable to happen. These can consist of being unable to load your Google account, not being able to use your account password, and, unfortunately, the risk of being hacked.

Many solutions could help you if you are struggling with your Google account being locked or have forgotten your password.

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What is a Google Account?

If this is your first time creating a Google Account, this is a brief description of Google and its service.

Google is one of the most popular search engines in the world and one of the most heavily guarded. Google takes strict measures to ensure that its apps and services function accordingly to its security policies. Any suspicious activity on your Google account will lock you out, so you can’t access any of its services. It may even suspend your account temporarily from using Google services to protect it from abuse or fraud.

google settings page

Google has several security features that help protect its users’ login credentials from fraud and hackers. The account recovery page also sets up a process for two-step verification, which requires you to enter a unique verification code sent to your recovery phone number and your Google account password, so you regain access and sign in. This helps prevent unauthorized access to your account, even if someone manages to guess your password.

This platform also uses various other measures to protect your data, including firewalls, backup codes, and encryption. Firewalls prevent unauthorized access to your computer or network, while encryption protects your data as it travels between your device and Google’s servers. This helps keep your information safe from hackers and thieves.

Overall, the platform does an excellent job of protecting its Google apps from fraud and hacking. Its security features are robust and effective, and its customer service is always available to help you regain access to your account if necessary.

What can cause my Google Account to be Locked?

Google is very strict about the measures it will take and use for its products apps, and so that its services function correctly and safely. If it detects any suspicious activity on your Google account, it will potentially lock you out of it to where you aren’t able to access any of your Google accounts or its Gmail services.

google search

Things that can cause locking you out consist of the following:

  • When a large number of emails are sent, they don’t deliver.
  • If your account receives a substantial amount of IMAP or POP in a short time.
  • Unable to load your Gmail account inbox when using a web browser.
  • If you use the wrong password multiple times. (When you accidentally forget or have been hacked)
  • When your account is logged in from multiple locations at once.

How to Recover your Locked Google Account

You can first try going to the Google sign-in page and then clicking the “Need help” link.

google login page

Once you click the “Need help” link will lead you to the account support page to verify your account information. From here, you go to connecting “Find my account,” which will take you to a new page, considered the first account recovery page.

google find my account

At this stage, to recover your account, you will enter your recovery email address. Once you enter the correct recovery email address, you will enter the corresponding recovery phone number.

After entering the recovery email address and phone number, you will check the box beside “I’m not a robot.” After checking the box, click submit. Once you complete the security steps, you will receive an SMS or email with a verification code and username.

entering verification code

What if I Can’t sign into my Google Account?

If you’re not able to sign into your Google account, or maybe you only forgot your password and haven’t been locked out yet, Techloris has a page just for this issue. Click here to view our page “Can’t sign into your Gmail account?”.

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Setup Google Account Recovery

To prevent a lock-out scenario in your account’s future, it’s a priority to set up your Google account recovery steps soon as your account is created. There are two verification processes: your recovery email address and a registered phone number, and You’re will always need access to both. Be sure to follow the instructions below to avoid being locked out of your Google account after creating it.

Once you sign in, go to the Security option by tapping on your “My Account” page and locate the option that will allow you to create your recovery email. Then you will click the arrows on the side to access the next necessary steps for future account recovery and two-step verification.

setting up recovery email

When you sign in (again), you will see the screen in the image above. Ensure your recovery email address is updated; this is important in the recovery process, especially when your current email is something you don’t often use anymore.

Already using a separate email and then deciding to use it as a reliable recovery email (assuming that you won’t forget your user and password to this account) is the easiest way to regain your Google account login information in future locked account situations. You can also use a different Gmail account address or Hotmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc., as a safe backup recovery email.

selecting recovery email

Once you click “Next,” ” you will be told to verify your recovery email address. When you confirm the account, it’ll start by receiving a 6-digit code to your new recovery email address.

You will then enter the code into the appropriate field shown in the image below.

entering verification code 1

After you complete typing in the verification code after receiving it, you will have to use your Gmail sign username and Gmail password one last time. After completing this and successfully logging in, your new recovery email address is ready for you to utilize.

Using Your Phone for a Verification Code

Suppose you use a phone number option or single-time verification password to sign in to your Google or Gmail account. In that case, you can review the details in the images below. It is up to the owner of the Gmail account to choose whether they want to keep the two-step verification on.

phone verification

Since your device can easily be damaged, breached, and stolen, not utilizing your registered phone number to sign in is a wiser option. Merely having a recovery phone number is efficient enough to prevent malicious logins from unsecured and foreign IP addresses.

Verification Text

Updating your new recovery phone number is simple and will take a few minutes to complete. Next, a verification code should be sent as an SMS to your unique recovery phone number to access your Google account. Many Gmail account owners will use a burner phone for this process, which is recommended for privacy reasons, to receive the code.

setting number for phone verfication

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Frequently Asked Question

What to do if I Can’t Remember My Last Password?

You can reset your password after confirming the verification process if you can’t remember the last password you implemented to your Gmail sign-in information.

Google offers options to reset and change your username and password once you answer and confirm that you’re the original Gmail account owner. Visit the security section of the Google workspace screen and click Change Password.

Why is my Gmail Sign In Page not loading?

There could be several reasons your Gmail or Google account is not loading on your device. Fortunately, Techloris has an article log dedicated to why your Gmail or other Google services aren’t loading.

Detailed guide here: “Why is my Gmail not loading?

How Long does Gmail lockout last?

According to Google, somebody can be locked out of their Google drive, Gmail, and other services for hours to days. This depends on the type of intrusion that the platform detects.

Why have my Google settings changed?

Have you successfully logged into your recovery account but noticed a changed or added Google username? This means your account could be hacked. You’ll instantly want to check your inbox history, Google Drive, and backup codes. Next, reset all of your login settings.

Is it Risky to have Multiple Gmail Accounts?

It depends if all of our accounts are secure enough or not. You can use either to recover your account when it is potentially locked or you forgot your username or password.

Andrew Holdeman
Meet the author

Andrew has extensive experience with a wide range of writing platforms and automation systems. He has spent over 6 years creating content and troubleshooting for various companies. He also enjoys spending time with his family and his fiancé, while staying active and healthy.