Social media platforms are now part of our daily existence as they connect us with people around us. Hence, companies must take serious measures to protect our accounts as we use them for our professional and personal communication.
Despite major technological advancements, some users still encounter problems, especially with Facebook. Getting locked out of your account can be frustrating for many, leaving users angry and confused.
A locked Facebook account could be due to security concerns, suspicious activity, or simply forgetting your login credentials.
From understanding the common causes of locked Facebook to providing preventative measures to avoid future lockouts, here are some ways to quickly regain access to your account:
Follow Facebook's Instructions
Following Facebook's instructions after your account is locked is crucial for starting the process to regain your account. Meta automatically locks an account as a precautionary measure for suspected suspicious activity. A notification will be sent to your email or the phone number linked to your account.
Read the instructions carefully and assess which reflects your issue the most. The instructions may vary based on the implied reason for the lockout, so it could be a different process for other people.
Verify Your Identity
Facebook will then require you to verify your identity to prove that you are the legitimate owner of the account. The verification still varies and there are various steps to confirm your authenticity.
Most of the time it will involve providing your personal information like email address, date of birth, and phone number. Meta could also ask for a photo with your government-issued ID to further check your validity.
In some cases, Facebook will still give additional steps before unlocking the account. For instance, the security questions, which were first asked to you upon creating your account, must be answered correctly. You can also confirm your identity by checking your recent activity or completing a captcha.
Contact Facebook Support
If you have any questions about the instructions provided, you can try reaching out to Facebook's support team for assistance. Look for the Help or Support section of the webpage or check the FAQs.
If the problem still persists after doing the provided instructions, you can appeal your concern by sending a ticket to the support team. You can also send an email to Meta and explain the situation.
Remain Patient
There are plenty of users who get locked out of their accounts every day. Hence, Facebook's inbox is filled with emails and tickets with the same concern. Dealing with locked accounts is frustrating but try to remain patient.
It will probably take some time for Facebook to review your information and unlock your account. Sometimes people get lucky and will recover their accounts within a few days or even within 24 hours.
Prevent Future Lockouts
While waiting for your account to be unlocked, you can still create a new account to avoid being left behind by your peers or your community. Even if you regain your account, make sure to take preventative steps to prevent it from happening again.
Enable your two-factor authentication and double-check your contact information if they are still up to date. You should also be mindful of Facebook's community standards and policies to avoid any violation.