Seeing “Too many attempts”, “Try again later”, or “Account temporarily locked” usually means the app is protecting your account after repeated sign-in failures (sometimes not even caused by you). Here’s how to regain access without making the lockout last longer.
Move slowly here—rapid retries can keep extending the timer.
1. Stop retrying and wait out the cooldown
Many services use escalating lockouts: each new failed attempt extends the wait. If you just tried multiple times, pause and do nothing for a bit.
- Wait 15–30 minutes before trying again (some apps require longer).
- Don’t keep switching passwords and retrying during the wait—those still count as attempts.
- Close the app completely (and the browser too, if you’re signing in on web) so it doesn’t auto-retry in the background.
If you suspect someone else is trying to access your account, jump to step 3.
2. Verify the credentials you’re using (and reset once, carefully)
Lockouts often happen because you’re entering the right password for the wrong account, or an old saved password keeps getting submitted.
- Confirm the account identifier: correct email/phone/username, correct country code, no extra spaces.
- Check password managers: pick the right saved login entry (many people have duplicates).
- Disable autofill for one attempt and type the password manually after the cooldown.
- If you’re not 100% sure, do a password reset once and then wait—multiple resets in a row can also trigger security blocks.
Tip: If the app supports it, try signing in via a different method (magic link, “Sign in with Apple/Google”, backup codes). That can avoid the “attempt counter” tied to password entry.
3. Check for signs of unauthorized attempts (then secure the account)
Sometimes you’re locked out because someone else is guessing your password. Treat a sudden lockout as a security event.
- Look for security emails/SMS about new logins, failed attempts, or password changes.
- Change your password to something unique (after cooldown, or via the provider’s reset flow).
- Enable or re-enable 2FA (authenticator app is usually more reliable than SMS).
- Sign out of other sessions if the app offers “log out of all devices”.
If you no longer control the email/phone on the account, skip to step 5 (support).
4. Remove the thing that keeps re-triggering the lock
Even after the cooldown, a background device can keep submitting an old password and immediately re-lock you.
- Other devices: check old phones/tablets, a work laptop, or a shared computer where you might still be signed in.
- Email clients and third-party apps: some apps connect to your account and will repeatedly retry with outdated credentials.
- VPN/proxy: turn it off temporarily. Suspicious IP ranges can trigger extra security checks.
- Date & time: set device time to automatic. Incorrect time can break 2FA and token validation.
- Clear only what’s needed: on web, clear cookies/site data for that service; in apps, try logging out/in or reinstalling if it’s stuck.
A quick isolation test: try signing in from one “clean” place (private/incognito window or a different device) after the cooldown.
5. If you’re still blocked, use the official recovery path (then contact support)
When lockouts persist beyond an hour or two, the service may require extra verification.
- Use “Forgot password” / “Account recovery” from the official app/site (avoid links from random emails).
- Try verification alternatives: backup codes, recovery email, trusted device prompts.
- Gather details before contacting support: exact error text, timestamp, device/OS, whether you use VPN, and screenshots if allowed.
- Ask specifically for “account unlock” or “remove lockout flag” if the platform uses that wording.
Some services enforce a fixed lock window (for example, 24 hours). Support may still help confirm the timeline and secure the account.
Final thoughts
“Too many attempts” errors are frustrating, but they’re usually a protective throttle—not a permanent ban. Waiting out the cooldown, resetting once, and stopping background retries solves most cases.
If the lockout was unexpected, treat it as a security hint: secure the account and turn on 2FA before trying again.