Reset My Access Account Password (I Forgot It)

Article Intended For

Penn State faculty, staff, students, and other affiliates.

Introduction

This article explains how to reset your password for your Penn State Access Account if you've forgotten it.
(If you know your current password, see Change My Access Account Password).

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.

Article Body

   Quick Start:

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

• If you tried this and 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

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

2. 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.
     
     
     
     
     
3. 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; then continue with Step 5, below.
       
       
     • 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 that email account and look for 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; then continue with Step 4, below.
              
              
              
        1. 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:
        
        
        1. Call the IT Service Desk and ask them to reset your password.
           
           
        2. Once your password has been reset, follow the instructions in knowledge base article Update the Recovery Email Address for Your Penn State Access Account.
           
           
           
4. Under Enter Verification Code:  Enter the Verification Code in the box provided and click Continue.  
   
   
   
   
5. 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.
   
   
   
6. 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.