How to Reactivate a Disabled USPS Account & Why It Was Disabled

Last Updated: September 28, 2024 Fact Checked

When you try to log in to USPS does it say that your account has been disabled? From too many incorrect login attempts to multiple accounts using the same address to inactive accounts, there are many reasons why USPS disables accounts. However, you can easily use that account again, so don't count it out! This wikiHow article covers why USPS disables accounts and teaches you how to recover yours.

Things You Should Know

Recovering an account is simple: try to log in and follow the on-screen prompts to get back into your account. ^{[1]
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"Too many incorrect login attempts" is usually the culprit for accounts being disabled. Wait 24 hours until your account is enabled again, then log in. ^{[2]
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If you can't use the automated system to reactivate your account, you can call USPS.

Section 1 of 2:

Recovering Your Account

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Go to https://www.usps.com/ and click Register/Sign In . You can use any web browser to view this page and log in.
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Attempt to log in. When you try to log in, you'll see an error message that tells you what to do next.
- Click Forgot your username? if you don't quite remember your username (it's not necessarily your email address). Your username will be emailed to you.
- If, for example, you have too many incorrect login attempts and your account has been temporarily disabled, you should wait out your disabled time (it's usually 24 hours), before trying again. ^{[3]
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- In other cases, you'll need to change your password. Simply go to the sign-in area and click the I forgot my Password link. Enter your username, click Continue , and select how you want to reset your password. Follow the on-screen directions to continue.
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To reactivate a disabled account, you will need to know the answers to the secret questions you set up when you created your account. Unfortunately, if you do not remember the answers, you will have to create a new account.
If you previously set up a verified cell phone for account recovery, USPS will send you a temporary password via text message that will allow you to access your account. If this is a possibility, you will be prompted on the Forgot Password page. ^{[4]
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Call USPS customer service if you can't get your account reactivated automatically. Their number is 1-800-344-7779 and they should be able to help you reactivate your disabled account. ^{[5]
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- You will be asked to answer your security questions over the phone as well.

Section 2 of 2:

Reasons Why Your Account Was Disabled

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Too many incorrect login attempts. The good news is that this error simply means that you need to wait a bit until you can try to log in again. If you don't remember your username, click Forgot your username on the sign-in page. ^{[6]
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Research source} There's also a I forgot my Password so you can reset your password and get access to your account.
- It's probably a good idea to change your password so that you can remember it and avoid incorrect logins in the future.
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There are too many accounts for a single address/user. As a general rule, USPS allows one account per person who gets mail at an address. If there are multiple accounts created for an individual at an address, USPS can flag the account. ^{[7]
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- This is an attempt to prevent mail fraud and is overlooked by an automated process, which can flag accounts incorrectly (like if there's a typo that creates multiple accounts for a single person)
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Inactivity. If an account hasn't received or sent mail in a long period of time (think years of inactivity), USPS can disable that account.
- If this is the case, then the account can be simply reactivated by logging into it again and answering the prompts that appear.
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There's been suspicious behavior. As a government entity, USPS is on the lookout for any suspicious activity like fake accounts with fake users.
- These kinds of disabled accounts are rarer, but a phone call to USPS will clear it up.
Glitches happen, and your USPS account may be disabled because of one. But don't fret! A quick call to USPS will reactivate your account.