Why is Amazon‘s Two-Step Verification Not Working? (8 Fixes) - 33rd Square (2024)

Hey there! I know how frustrating it can be when you go to log into your Amazon account and two-step verification won‘t work properly. You enter your password, expect a code to be sent…and nothing happens. Or worse, you bypass the two-step login altogether without entering a code.

Not to worry – I‘ve been researching this issue and I want to explain exactly why Amazon‘s two-step verification stops working and show you how to fix it.

By the end of this guide, your two-step verification will be back up and running smoothly. Let‘s get started!

What Causes Issues with Amazon Two-Step Verification?

Before I show you how to troubleshoot problems with two-step verification, it helps to understand what causes issues in the first place.

Based on user reports and my own testing, there are 5 main culprits for two-step verification failures:

1. Cached Login Credentials

If you‘ve successfully logged into your Amazon account using two-step verification previously, your browser caches (saves or remembers) those login credentials.

The next time you try to log in, your browser automatically enters your saved username and password before prompting for a two-step code. This lets you bypass verification completely!

According to a Pollfish survey, 73% of people stick with the same web browser most of the time. This means cached credentials are a common issue.

2. Using a New Device

Two-step verification is designed to prevent unauthorized logins from new devices. So if you try to access your Amazon account from a brand new phone or computer for the first time, two-step verification kicks in.

But if you’ve logged into that device before, your credentials may already be cached. You’ll be able to log in without entering a code.

3. Outdated Phone Number

When you first set up two-step verification, Amazon sends codes to the phone number you provide. But if you changed your number or mobile provider since then, those verification codes will be sent to an outdated number.

Unless you log in and update your contact info, you’ll never receive current codes.

A survey by Opinium found that 22% of mobile users change providers annually. So it‘s easy for your stored number to become outdated.

4. Expired Verification Codes

Here’s an easy mistake to make:

You request a two-step verification code from Amazon, but don’t actually enter it for 5 or 10 minutes. By then, the code has expired and is useless!

Amazon‘s codes expire after just 2-5 minutes. Letting too much time elapse before entering the code means starting over with a new one.

5. Amazon Service Issues

Like any technology, Amazon‘s two-step verification system isn‘t bulletproof. Server outages, website bugs, and other technical hiccups can temporarily knock out the system that generates and sends verification codes.

Amazon confirms that “occasionally there may be issues that prevent proper delivery” of two-step verification codes. Usually these are quickly resolved. But when they happen, it stops the codes in their tracks.

Now that you know what’s most likely to cause two-step verification problems, let’s get into the solutions!

8 Fixes for When Amazon Two-Step Verification is Not Working

Follow these troubleshooting tips to get two-step verification working again if you’re having issues:

1. Clear Your Browser Cache

Clearing your browser‘s cached cookies and site data forces Amazon to re-verify your login instead of using cached credentials:

On Chrome:

• Click the 3 dots menu > Settings > Privacy and security
• Click Clear browsing data
• Check cookies, cached images/files
• Click clear data

On Firefox:

• Click the 3 lines menu > Options
• Go to Privacy & Security
• Click Clear Data
• Select Cookies and Cached Web Content
• Click Clear

On Safari:

• Click Safari > Clear History and Website Data
• Select all time dropdown
• Check Cookies and Cached Images/Data
• Click Clear History and Data

Now log into Amazon in that browser again and two-step should be required.

2. Use Incognito or Private Browsing Mode

Incognito (Chrome) or Private Browsing (Firefox) modes don‘t save any browser data like cookies, history or cached logins:

• Chrome: Ctrl + Shift + N
• Firefox: Ctrl + Shift + P

Opening a new incognito/private window ensures two-step verification cannot be bypassed with cached credentials.

3. Log in Through a Different Browser

Similarly, downloading and logging into Amazon from a browser you don‘t normally use sidesteps any lingering cached login data.

If Chrome is misbehaving, try Firefox, Edge or Safari and see if two-step verification now works normally.

4. Log in on Another Device

Having issues getting two-step verification codes on your laptop? Borrow someone else‘s device like a tablet or mobile phone and try logging in there instead.

Using another device forces two-step to activate, avoiding any credential caching on your existing hardware. Plus it tells you if the issue is isolated or applies account-wide.

5. Update Your Phone Number

When Amazon sends two-step verification codes to an old, outdated number you no longer use, you‘ll never receive them.

To fix this, log into Amazon and:

• Go to Your Account > Login & Security
• Click Edit under Two-Step Verification
• Input your current verification method (old number or email)
• Enter your new, correct phone number
• Click Submit to save changes

Now current verification codes can reach your proper number.

6. Use Backup Verification Options

If your main two-step verification method stops working, Amazon provides backup alternatives:

• Backup SMS text: Receive codes via text to another number
• Backup email: Get codes emailed to an alternate address
• Voice call: Lets Amazon robotically call you with a code

Tap into these options if your primary contact method isn‘t receiving codes for any reason.

7. Request a New Verification Code

Don‘t forget – Amazon‘s two-step verification codes expire fast. If you take too long entering it, that code won‘t work.

Instead of guessing, select Didn‘t receive a code? or Call again to have a brand new code sent immediately through your preferred method.

8. Disable and Re-Enable Two-Step Verification

If you can‘t get two-step verification working despite troubleshooting, try turning it off completely and starting fresh:

• Sign into Amazon and go to Your Account > Login & Security
• Click Edit under Two-Step Verification
• Choose Disable two-step verification – confirm by entering current code
• Two-step will be disabled. Now re-enable it with correct contact info.

Re-enabling with proper backup contact methods often resolves lingering issues.

Why Am I Not Getting Two-Step Verification Codes from Amazon?

If you‘ve checked all the troubleshooting tips but are still not receiving two-step verification codes, here are some other potential reasons:

• You have the wrong contact information – Double check Amazon has your current, correct mobile number or email address on file.

• Amazon messages are blocked – Check spam folders and account filters that could be stopping Amazon‘s messages.

• Cell signal issues – Weak mobile signal can disrupt SMS text codes. Move locations or use WiFi calling.

• Amazon server problems – Severe outages do sometimes temporarily disrupt two-step verification services.

• You requested too many codes – Amazon may throttle users who request an excessive number of codes in a short time.

• Suspicious activity flagged – Requesting many codes from different locations/devices may trigger fraud prevention limits.

If you still aren‘t receiving codes after exhaustive troubleshooting, you‘ll need to contact Amazon customer service directly for additional help.

How to Turn Off Two-Step Verification on Amazon

I recommend keeping two-step verification active for account security. But you can disable it in your Amazon settings if needed:

1. Sign into Amazon and go to Your Account > Login & Security.

2. Under Two-Step Verification, click Edit.

3. Choose Disable two-step verification and confirm your choice.

4. Enter your current verification code when prompted.

Two-step verification will now be fully disabled on your Amazon account. Just know this removes a critical account security barrier.

Pros and Cons of Amazon‘s Two-Step Verification

Should you use two-step verification on Amazon? Here are some pros and cons to help decide:

Pros

• Stronger security – Adds extra credential thieves can‘t easily obtain
• Blocks unauthorized access – Verification codes prevent account hacking
• Alerts you to logins – Lets you know when and where someone signs in
• Reassuring – Provides peace of mind your account is protected

Cons

• Inconvenient – Extra step to check phone and enter codes
• Access issues – Causes problems if you lose your phone
• Coordination required – Need devices in sync to receive codes
• Tech problems – System glitches can block codes

Overall, the security benefits outweigh the minor inconveniences. But you have the option to disable two-step verification if needed.

In Conclusion

I hope this breakdown gave you a better understanding of why Amazon‘s two-step verification stops working and how to troubleshoot issues.

The most common problems – cached credentials, incorrect contact info, and expired codes – are all fixable following these steps. Just clean your browser data, update your number, and request fresh codes.

While frustrating when problems pop up, don‘t forget two-step verification gives your Amazon account important extra security. Taking the time to troubleshoot issues is worth it.

But if you can’t resolve problems getting verification codes, Amazon‘s customer support team is ready to help out. With a few quick fixes, you‘ll have two-step verification properly protecting your account once again.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

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