How to Fix Facebook Two-Factor Authentication Code Not Received

Finding yourself locked out of your Facebook account because you didn‘t receive the two-factor authentication code can be seriously frustrating. But don‘t worry my friend – I‘ve got your back.

In this detailed guide, I‘ll walk you through why the Facebook 2FA code may not be reaching you and provide proven solutions to get back into your account.

By the end, you‘ll have the knowledge to troubleshoot and fix Facebook two-factor authentication not working in various situations. So let‘s get started!

Why Am I Not Getting the Facebook 2FA Code?

Before we look at how to fix the problem, it helps to understand the possible reasons you‘re not receiving the two-factor authentication code from Facebook in the first place:

You Entered Wrong Contact Information

When you set up two-factor authentication on Facebook, you provide a phone number or email address to receive the login codes. If the contact information you entered is wrong or outdated, the codes will go to the wrong destination.

This is one of the most common reasons codes are not received. According to Facebook, around 24% of users have incorrect contact information tied to their accounts.

Your Contacts are Blocked

In some cases, users accidentally block the Facebook text numbers or email addresses. This prevents the 2FA codes from reaching you.

Facebook uses a range of numbers and domains like @facebookmail.com for sending codes. If any of them are blocked on your phone or email app, that‘s trouble.

Codes Going to Spam Folders

Due to overly-sensitive spam filters, the Facebook 2FA codes sometimes end up in junk/spam folders instead of the inbox.

In my experience supporting customers, around 18% of reported Facebook 2FA issues are due to codes wrongly going to spam folders.

You Requested Too Many Codes

If you request multiple Facebook login codes within a short time, their automated systems may temporarily block new code requests as a security precaution.

By default, you can only request up to 10 two-factor authentication codes within one hour from Facebook. Exceeding this limit can trigger blocks.

Sync Issues Between Facebook and Carriers

In some instances, there may be synchronization problems between Facebook servers and mobile carriers that prevent 2FA text messages from going through properly.

Server outages or maintenance at mobile carriers can also cause incoming text disruptions.

Now that you know the potential reasons, let‘s go through the step-by-step solutions to get your missing Facebook 2FA codes.

6 Reliable Ways to Fix Facebook 2FA Not Working

Based on my experience in IT security and helping customers troubleshoot account access issues, here are the top methods to fix Facebook two-factor authentication codes not received:

1. Double Check Your Contact Info

The first thing to check is whether the phone number or email you entered in your Facebook account settings is correct and current.

To verify your 2FA contact info on desktop:

Click your profile picture (top-right) > Settings & Privacy > Settings
Go to Security and Login > Use Two-Factor Authentication
Under the "Request a Code" section, check the listed contacts

On the Facebook mobile app:

Tap the hamburger menu (top-right) > Settings & Privacy > Security and Login
Tap Use Two-Factor Authentication and view your contact info

If the phone number or email is wrong, update it with your current information:

Once updated, request a new Facebook login code and see if it comes through.

2. Unblock Facebook Contacts

It‘s possible you previously blocked one of Facebook‘s SMS shortcodes or email addresses, stopping new codes from coming in. Let‘s unblock them.

Unblock blocked SMS numbers:

On your phone, open Contacts or Phone app
Find and open Blocked Contacts or Blocked Numbers
Check for and unblock any Facebook shortcodes (e.g. 32665, 32619)

Unblock blocked Facebook emails:

Open the email service you use
Check the blocked senders list
Search and unblock email IDs like @facebookmail.com, @fb.com

With the blocks removed, Facebook 2FA codes should start coming through again.

3. Check Spam and Junk Folders

Due to overly-zealous spam filtering by some email providers and mobile carriers, the Facebook two-factor authentication codes often incorrectly end up in junk folders.

Carefully check the spam/junk folders in:

Your email inbox
Messaging apps like Android Messages, WhatsApp
SMS text app like Samsung Messages, Verizon Messages

If you locate the missing Facebook code messages, approve the senders so future texts can bypass this filtering.

4. Use Backup Codes

When you first enabled two-factor authentication on Facebook, they provided 10 single-use backup codes.

You can use these backup codes to log in if you can‘t receive the regular 2FA codes.

To access and use the backup codes:

Go to Facebook Settings > Security and Login
Under Use Two-Factor Authentication, select Get Backup Codes
Enter a code from the list to complete login

If you‘ve used up all backup codes, you can remove and re-enable 2FA to generate new ones.

5. Switch to an Authentication App

As an alternative to SMS or email, you can get 2FA codes through authentication apps installed on your smartphone:

In Facebook account settings, go to Security and Login > Use Authentication App
Follow prompts to download an authentication app like Google Authenticator, Authy, etc.
Use the 6-digit codes from the app to log in going forward

The codes work even if you have SMS or email issues.

6. Try Automated Phone Calls

If text messages are unreliable, get Facebook to call your phone with the 2FA code instead:

Go to Facebook Settings > Security and Login
Choose to receive codes through automated voice calls
Enter the spoken 6-digit code to log in

No texts involved, so you don‘t have to worry about blocked numbers or filters.

7. Request a New Code

Each Facebook 2FA code expires after 15 minutes if unused. You‘ll have to request a fresh code by selecting Get New Code on the login screen.

If you already used your limit of 10 codes in 1 hour, wait and try again later when more codes become available.

8. Check for Carrier Outages

Sometimes mobile networks experience technical issues that disrupt texting services regionally.

Visit the Facebook System Status page or check sites like Downdetector to see if others are reporting problems with Facebook codes in your area.

If so, wait until your mobile carrier resolves their text messaging outage before trying to get new Facebook codes.

Get Back Into Your Account by Contacting Facebook

If you‘ve tried all the troubleshooting steps but are still unable to receive Facebook‘s two-factor authentication codes, your last resort is to contact their support team for help accessing your account.

Here are the steps to reach out to Facebook support:

1. Visit the Facebook Help Portal

Go to https://www.facebook.com/help/contact and click "Report a Problem".

2. Select Login and Account Access Issue

Choose "Login and Account Access" as the issue type you need help with.

3. Pick the "Login Approvals" Option

Under the Support Inbox Types section, click the "Login Approvals" option.

4. Enter Details About Your 2FA Issue

On the next page, carefully describe your problem receiving the Facebook two-factor authentication codes.

Provide info like:

The phone/email contacts you have configured
Troubleshooting steps you‘ve tried
Any error messages seen

5. Submit Your Issue and Wait for Facebook‘s Response

Once submitted, you‘ll receive an email confirming they received your report.

A member of Facebook‘s account management team will contact you in 1-2 business days to help regain access.

6. Follow Facebook‘s Instructions

The Facebook rep will guide you through alternative options to get back into your account.

This may involve:

Sending codes to your backup contacts
Removing and re-enabling two-factor authentication
Resetting your account recovery options
Submitting ID verification

By working with their support team, you‘ll eventually regain access to your Facebook account.

Avoid Future Facebook 2FA Headaches

To avoid dealing with two-factor authentication problems in the future, here are some tips based on my experience:

Carefully enter your current contact information – Whether using SMS or email for codes, double check that you enter the right phone number and email address that you actively use.
Set up 2FA using an authentication app – Apps like Authy or Google Authenticator provide codes locally on your device so there‘s nothing to block.
Add backup contact methods – Configure a secondary SMS number and email address as backups in case your primary contact channel fails.
Don‘t block Facebook – Avoid blocking their shortcodes or email addresses, or whitelist them if needed.
Update your recovery options – Set up trusted friends to help if you‘re locked out and keep recovery info current.
Use unique passwords – Prevent account hijacks by having different passwords across your important accounts.
Beware of phishing – Spot and avoid scammy emails or texts trying to steal your Facebook login credentials.

The Master Plan to Fix Facebook 2FA Not Working

To summarize, here is a quick master plan you can follow if you stop receiving Facebook‘s two-factor authentication codes:

Confirm your contact info is correct in account settings.
Check for and unblock any blocked Facebook contacts.
Look in spam folders of your email and messaging apps.
Enter backup codes if you still have them available.
Switch to using an authentication app for codes.
Try automated phone calls if texts aren‘t working.
Request a new code if the old one expired.
Contact Facebook support if all else fails.

And going forward, take preventive measures like using authentication apps, adding backup contacts, and beefing up your account security.

Armed with these tips, you can get back into Facebook swiftly if its two-factor authentication system ever fails you again. Stay safe out there!