Troubleshooting IBMid

What do you do if you forget your IBMid?

Your IBMid is likely in the form of an email address. Users who created their IBMid previous to 2011 can have a non-email based IBMid in the form of a unique single word. If you need assistance with your IBMid, contact your country’s IBMid help desk.

What if I forgot my IBMid password?

Refer to password reset instructions.

Contact your country’s IBMid help desk for the following situations:

  1. You no longer have access to the email account associated with your IBMid or feel that the security of that email account has been compromised.
  2. You receive the following error messages: 
    IBMid account is disabled
Authentication failed due to a configured policy
User is not authorized to access the application due to policy constraints

What if I receive the error message, The system cannot process your request because the transaction has been idle for too long?

This error message usually results from one of the following: - When the URL is wrong. To correct it, use the application URL instead of the one that appears on the login webpage. - When the login webpage is idle for an extended time. To correct it, log in again.

What if I receive the error message, The user account is locked.

For security reasons, your account is locked after multiple unsuccessful login attempts. Refer to the password reset instructions to unlock your account.

What if I receive the error message, The system cannot complete your login request or receive a white screen with a long reference ID?

These errors usually occur because you’re trying to access an incorrect or bookmarked URL. The following steps may resolve the situation:
  1. Clear the browser's cache and cookies.
  2. Log in to MyIBM.
  3. Open the parent application URL that you were trying to access.

What if IBMid gives an incorrect password error message, but I’m confident I’m using the correct credentials.

Ensure you’re trying to log in to login.ibm.com.

What do I do if I get an invalid code message after entering a one-time passcode (OTP)?

If you’re returned to the login screen after entering the OTP you received via a multifactor authentication method, it may be due to a time synchronization issue related to your Google Authenticator app. The following steps only apply to an Android device and should resolve the issue:
  1. Go to the main menu on the Google Authenticator app
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Select Time correction for codes.
  4. Select Sync now.
Note: Ensure the correct time zone is set on your device; otherwise, you may get an Invalid Code error after entering your second factor authentication. Refer to the synchronization instructions for your device.