Penn State Service Management

Article Intended For

Penn State faculty, staff, students, and affiliates who need to change or reset the password on their Penn State Access Account.

Introduction

Your Penn State Access Account is the account you use to log in to WebAccess to access services such as email, LionPATH, Canvas, and Office 365. This article explains how to change or reset the password for your Access Account.

Article Body

Quick Reference

I forgot my password - I need to reset it

Go to the Forgot Your Password? page on the Penn State Account Management website and follow the prompts.
For step-by-step instructions, see Password Reset Details, below.

I know my password - I need to change it

Go to the Change Your Password page on the Penn State Account Management website and follow the prompts.
For step-by-step instructions, see Change Password Details, below.

I tried to reset my password, but ran into an issue

If you didn't receive a Reset Password email, see knowledge article: I didn't receive automated email I was expecting.
If you encountered any other issue, contact the IT Service Desk for assistance.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Password Reset Details

NOTE: In order to use the instructions below to reset your own password, you must have previously provided at least one of the following types of information your Penn State account: (a) a personal email address, (b) a cell phone number, or (c) the answers to three security questions (for example, the name of your first pet).

If you're not sure if you provided any of the above, follow the steps below to find out. If you're unable to complete the process, contact the IT Service Desk for assistance. Once your password has been reset, follow the instructions in knowledge base article Update the Recovery Email Address for Your Penn State Access Account.

To Reset Your Own Password:

Go to the Forgot Your Password? page on the Penn State Account Management website.

Under Choose Account: Enter your user ID (Example: abc123) and click Continue.
- Note that your user ID does not include @psu.edu.
- Make sure your CapsLock is off - your user ID is all lower case.
Under Verify Identity:
- If you previously established answers to security questions:
  
  The website displays the questions you chose and prompts you to verify your identity by entering the answers. Enter the answer to each question.
  
  Note that if you answer the security questions incorrectly three times, you'll see a message that says your ability to reset your password has been locked. If that happens, you may either contact the IT Service Desk for help or wait an hour and try again.
- If you have a recovery email address and/or phone number associated with your Penn State account:
  1. Choose where the system will send a verification code to confirm your identity:
    1. If you want to receive an email:
      1. Click the email account to select it. (Be sure you recognize and can access the email account that's partially displayed.)
      2. Click Send. A message on the screen says Password Reset Email Sent to x*******y@abc.com
      1. Log in to the email account and look an email with the subject line Request to Reset Penn State Password. If you can't find the email, see knowledge base article I didn't receive automated email I was expecting.
      2. Open the email and copy the verification code it contains.
    2. If you want to receive a text message:
      1. Click a phone number to select it. (Be sure you recognize and can access the phone number that's partially displayed.)
        
        Note that the phone must be a smartphone or basic cellphone able to receive SMS text messages (not a landline).
      2. Click Text Me.
      3. Open the text message on the phone you selected and note the verification code it contains.
        
        If you didn't receive a text message, click Resend Code and try again. If that doesn't work, choose an email address instead, if that's an option.
  2. If neither of the above methods of verification work for you, call the IT Service Desk and ask them to reset your password.
    
    Once your password has been reset, follow the instructions in knowledge base article Update the Recovery Email Address for Your Penn State Access Account.
Under Enter Verification Code: Enter the Verification Code in the box provided and click Continue.
Under Reset Password:
1. Enter your new password the New Password box.
  
  Note that your password must meet the criteria listed on the right side of your screen.
  - If the password you enter fails to meet one of the criterion, an X is displayed next to that requirement.
  - If the password you enter meets a given criterion, a check mark is displayed next to that requirement.
2. Confirm your new password by entering it a second time in the Confirm New Password box.
3. Click Continue. The following message is displayed: Penn State Password Successfully Updated.
  
  If an error message indicates that your ability to reset your password has been locked, or you need further assistance, contact the IT Service Desk.
Update your recovery email address:

Your recovery email address is a non-PSU email address you provide as part of your contact information. It allows you to recover your account or reset your password without assistance from the IT Service Desk. If you don't have a recovery email address associated with your Penn State Access Account, or need to change it, follow the instructions in knowledge base article Update the Recovery Email Address for Your Penn State Access Account.

Change Password Details

Go to the Change Your Password page on the Penn State Account Management website.
1. Enter your user ID (Example: abc123) if it is not already displayed.
  - Note that your user ID does not include @psu.edu.
  - Make sure your CapsLock is off - your user ID is all lower case.
2. Enter your current password.
3. Enter your new password.
4. Enter your new password again in the Confirm New Password box.
  
  Note that your password must meet the criteria listed on the right side of your screen.
  - If the password you enter fails to meet one of the criterion, an X will be displayed next to that requirement.
  - If the password you enter meets a given criterion, a check mark will be displayed next to that requirement.
5. When a blue check mark appears next to each requirement, click Continue.
  
  The website displays a message indicating that you have successfully changed your password.

Access Account: Change or Reset Password for Penn State Access Account (WebAccess)