Logins and passwords: What could go wrong?

Welcome to our What could go wrong? series, where we do our best to flout Murphy’s law and get prepared for anything that could possibly go wrong as we prepare for year-end.

Today, we’ll explore everything that could go wrong with the very first step we take in preparing for year-end: logging in to QuickBooks Online. It seems simple enough, but we know that the universe sometimes has other things in store for us. So, let’s take a look at solving some of the most common issues with logins and passwords, and get you back up and running.

This guide is for users of QuickBooks Online.

What could go wrong: I forgot my sign-in information

There are a few ways to sign in, such as with your email, phone number, or user ID.

Your user ID is typically an email address. If you enter the email address associated with your QuickBooks account, Intuit will send a one-time code to that email to access your account.

If you can't remember which email you used, try entering your phone number. Intuit will text you a one-time code to access your account.

What could go wrong: I’m locked out of my account

If you’ve tried to sign in unsuccessfully too many times, we’ll temporarily lock your account. We do this to make sure it isn’t a bad actor trying to access your account.

After 15 minutes, the hold is removed, and you can simply sign in again with your user ID or email and password. 

What could go wrong: I don’t have an account

Welcome! It's easy to set up a new account. Follow these steps:

1. From the sign in page, select Create an account.
2. Select an appropriate plan and follow the next steps.
3. Enter your email address, mobile number, or other fields as prompted.
4. Create a password, then select One more step.
5. Follow the steps to complete billing and payments to get started.

What could go wrong: I can’t sign in after resetting my password

Your old password could still be saved in your browser. If you still can’t sign in, clear the data so you can use your new password. Once you’ve done this, close your browser and reopen it.

What could go wrong: I need to change my email, user ID, or password

You can change your user ID, email address, and password in a few simple steps. From QuickBooks Online:

1. Sign in to QuickBooks Online.
2. Select your profile icon next to Settings.
3. Select Manage your Intuit Account. This opens the Intuit Account Manager.
4. Select the Sign in & security menu.
5. Select the User ID, Email address, or Password section.
6. Make your changes.
7. When you're done, select Save.

Make sure that if you changed your email address, you also update it in the Manage users section of QuickBooks. 

What could go wrong: I’ve tried all of this, and still can’t log in

If you're not able to sign in using any of the steps above, don't worry. We'll help you get back into your account.

Our guide to recovering your account when you can't sign in covers a few different scenarios. Choose the one that works for you, and you'll be back to business in no time.

That’s it for today! While we hope you never experience any of these problems, we’re here to help if you do. Stay tuned for more What could go wrong content to help you prep for tax season - even in the worst-case scenario.