You try logging in and, bam, nothing works. You’re staring at that LinkedIn login screen like it personally hates you. Happens to the best of us. Maybe you forgot it, maybe it expired, maybe your cat walked across the keyboard last night don’t judge. Either way, it’s time to get back in.

Starting With the Obvious

Open LinkedIn on your browser or app. Go to the login page. Right below where you’d normally type your password is a link that says “Forgot password?” Click that. That’s it. You don’t need to dig through menus or hunt for settings.

Enter Your Email or Phone

LinkedIn will ask for the email or phone number associated with your account. This is where you pause for a second. Make sure it’s the one you actually signed up with. Too many people try old emails, old numbers. You’ll get a reset code sent there.

• Email usually arrives within a minute, though sometimes it hides in your promotions tab.

• SMS codes come fast, but network issues can delay them. Be patient, or try requesting again.

• If you have neither access, LinkedIn will guide you through account recovery, but it feels slower.

The Reset Process

Check your email or messages. LinkedIn sends a link or code. Click or enter it. The link usually expires in a short time, so don’t leave it lying around. Then type a new password. Make it something you haven’t used before. Not “Password1234”. Seriously, don’t.

Choosing a Password That Sticks

Mix letters, numbers, symbols, and something unique. Something you’ll remember without writing it on a sticky note. Raj, my friend from work, once used his cat’s full name + birth year for LinkedIn. He remembered it forever and stopped reopening the same five tabs every morning. Works for him, weird for me.

• Avoid common sequences no birthdays, “qwerty”, or “linkedin2026”.

• Consider a small phrase you can remember, maybe lyrics or a quote, shortened into letters and numbers.

• A password manager helps, honestly. Feels quicker than guessing every time.

Logging Back In

Once the new password is set, LinkedIn will ask you to log in again. Type carefully. If you use multiple devices, remember to update saved passwords on phone, tablet, and browser. Otherwise you get the annoying pop-ups that your credentials are wrong.

Extra Tip: Two-Factor Authentication

If you haven’t already, enable 2FA. It takes an extra step but blocks random logins. You stop noticing it after a week, it just gets out of your way. You can pick SMS codes or authenticator apps. Authenticator apps feel safer.

• Makes account safer if your email is compromised.

• Slight extra step on login, but worth it.

• You can always disable if it annoys you too much, but don’t.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes links don’t work, codes don’t arrive, or you forgot your recovery info. LinkedIn has a “Verify identity” section. It asks for ID and other account info. Feels tedious, but it works.