How to Fix Twitter Verification Code Not Received

Finding yourself locked out of your Twitter account because you didn‘t receive the login verification code? You‘re not alone.

Many Twitter users have been frustrated to discover they no longer have access to their accounts due to two-factor authentication (2FA) codes failing to send properly.

Not receiving that critical 6-digit verification code SMS can make it impossible to log into your account – even if you have the correct password.

But don‘t panic! I‘ve got you covered. I‘ll explain exactly why you may not be getting the codes and walk through multiple solutions to fix the Twitter verification code not received issue.

By the end of this complete troubleshooting guide, you‘ll be able to confidently regain access to your account.

Why You May Not Be Getting the Twitter Verification Code

Before jumping into solutions, let‘s quickly run through the reasons you may not be receiving a verification code from Twitter when trying to log in:

You blocked Twitter‘s SMS short code numbers

Twitter sends codes from either 40404 or 98948. If you previously blocked either number, Twitter can‘t text you codes.

Cellular network issues

Poor reception or network outages can disrupt Twitter‘s verification codes from coming through.

Phone number problems

An invalid, inactive or outdated number on file with Twitter will prevent verification codes from reaching you.

Exceeded SMS limits

Twitter only allows up to 10 verification requests per day. Going over this limit can block codes temporarily.

Twitter technical issues

Sometimes Twitter itself has problems sending codes to users universally. They‘re working on making this more reliable.

Banned or locked account

If your account was banned or locked, Twitter purposefully blocks codes as you can‘t access it anyway.

So in summary – it‘s either an issue on your end, Twitter‘s end, or your cellular provider‘s end.

Now let‘s get into the step-by-step solutions and fixes…

Fix 1: Unblock Twitter‘s SMS Short Code Numbers

The first thing to check is whether you have Twitter‘s SMS numbers blocked on your phone.

Twitter uses short codes 40404 and 98948 to send 2FA verification codes. If you‘ve blocked either one, you won‘t receive the SMS.

Here‘s how to check if you have Twitter‘s short codes blocked, and unblock them:

On iPhone:

Open Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts
Look for 40404 or 98948 in the list of blocked numbers
Tap Edit > tap the red minus icon next to 40404/98948 to remove the block

On Android:

Open your Phone app > Settings > Blocked numbers
Check if 40404 or 98948 is in the list
Tap the X icon next to the number(s) and select Unblock

Once unblocked, return to Twitter and request a new verification code. This alone fixes the issue for most people.

Fix 2: Disable and Re-Enable Two-Factor Authentication

If unblocking Twitter‘s short code doesn‘t work, try turning off 2FA in your Twitter account settings, then turning it back on.

You can do this on any device that‘s already logged into Twitter, like on twitter.com from a desktop browser.

Here are the steps:

While logged into Twitter, go to Settings and privacy > Security and account access
Select Security > Two-factor authentication
Turn off the toggle for authentication methods like text message
Save your settings, then log out of Twitter entirely
Log back in and when prompted, re-enable 2FA
Enter your phone number again to receive codes

Twitter will text a new verification code to your number, which ideally resolves any issues.

Fix 3: Contact Twitter Support to Disable 2FA

If the above steps don‘t work, you‘ll need Twitter‘s help to disable 2FA so you can access your account again.

Go to Twitter‘s 2FA troubleshooting form
Enter your username, email, and details on the issue
Twitter support will get back to you in 1-2 days and can disable 2FA
Once they disable 2FA, you can log in and re-enable it properly

This should hopefully clear up any bugs that were preventing codes from sending correctly.

Fix 4: Switch to an Authenticator App for Verification Codes

As a workaround, consider switching from SMS text verification codes to codes from an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy.

Authenticator apps generate verification codes offline without needing to receive an SMS.

To set this up:

Download and install Google Authenticator (iOS) or Authy (Android)
In Twitter, go to Settings > Security > Two-factor authentication > Authentication app
Scan the QR code shown on screen using Google Authenticator or Authy to link your Twitter account
Use the 6-digit verification codes from the app to log into Twitter

The benefit is you don‘t have to rely on Twitter‘s SMS codes and can avoid issues receiving them.

Fix 5: Update Your Phone Number on Twitter

In some cases, Twitter may not be sending verification codes because they have the wrong phone number on file for your account.

To update your number:

On twitter.com, go to Settings > Your Twitter data > Contact info
Enter your new, correct phone number
Select ‘Send code‘ and enter the verification code Twitter texts you
Save your updated phone number

With your proper phone number entered, Twitter can send verification codes successfully again when logging in.

Troubleshooting Questions

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions when dealing with Twitter verification codes not sending:

Why does Twitter not send verification code to my new phone?

Twitter may still have your old number on file. Update your contact info in settings with your new phone number.

How long does it take to receive Twitter verification code?

It should arrive within a few minutes via SMS. If it‘s been more than 5 minutes, close and restart the Twitter app and try requesting a new code.

Does Twitter 2FA code expire? How much time do I have?

Yes, Twitter verification codes expire after just 5 minutes. So you need to enter it into Twitter quickly before it is no longer valid.

How many times can I request a Twitter verification code?

You can request up to 5 verification codes every 30 minutes, and up to 10 codes per day. Exceeding these limits will block you temporarily.

I lost access to my phone number. How can I get Twitter codes now?

Unfortunately without access to your phone number on file, you cannot receive SMS codes. Contact Twitter support to remove 2FA.

Can I get Twitter codes if I don‘t have cellular service?

No – you need an active cellular connection and signal to receive Twitter‘s SMS verification codes. WiFi alone won‘t cut it.

Why does my Twitter verification code not work?

Double check you entered the code correctly. Also, the code may have expired which will make it invalid. Request a fresh code and be ready to enter it quickly.

Preventing Twitter Verification Code Problems

Here are some tips to avoid running into issues receiving and using Twitter‘s 2FA verification codes in the future:

Never block the 40404 or 98948 SMS short codes – leave them unblocked.
Only request verification codes when absolutely required, don‘t overuse them needlessly.
Ensure your current, active phone number is always set in Twitter‘s account settings.
Consider using an authenticator app instead of SMS codes if you run into issues.
If your SMS codes suddenly stop working, uninstall and reinstall the Twitter app to clear any glitches.
Make sure cellular data is turned on before requesting a code – WiFi is not sufficient.
When Twitter has technical issues sending codes, just wait it out until resolved.
Reach out to Twitter support if you get stuck and cannot access your account.

Why Twitter Stops Sending Verification Codes

There are some common reasons why the verification codes for logging into Twitter may suddenly stop being sent to your phone:

You changed your phone number

If you got a new phone number, Twitter won‘t know to send codes to it. Update your number in settings.

Your phone number is now inactive

If you didn‘t pay your phone bill and your number got deactivated, Twitter can‘t text you. Add an active number.

You exceeded SMS limits

Requesting too many codes in a short period of time can cause Twitter to throttle sending new ones temporarily.

Banned or locked account

Twitter purposefully blocks verification codes to banned or locked accounts as you can‘t access them anyway until restrictions are removed.

Technical issues on Twitter‘s end

Like any tech platform, Twitter deals with periodic technical glitches that disrupt their systems sending out SMS codes. Just wait for them to fix it!

So in summary – whenever your Twitter verification codes suddenly stop arriving, one of these situations is likely the culprit.

Can You Get Twitter Codes Without a Phone Number?

Unfortunately, without access to the phone number on file with your Twitter account, there is no way to receive SMS verification codes.

If you can‘t receive calls or texts at that number anymore, you have two options:

Contact Twitter support to explain your number is inaccessible and have them remove 2FA from your account. This will allow you to log in without a code.
Switch to an authentication app like Google Authenticator which generates codes offline without needing your phone number.

So while Twitter doesn‘t offer a phone number-free option for 2FA codes directly, with help from their support team you can either disable 2FA or switch to app-based codes.

Waiting for Twitter to Fix Technical Issues

As mentioned earlier, sometimes issues sending Twitter verification codes are due to technical problems on Twitter‘s end.

The Twitter engineering team works hard to keep their systems running smoothly. But any internet service will occasionally suffer outages or glitches.

When Twitter is having technical issues that prevent verification codes from sending properly across the platform, here are a few things to keep in mind:

It‘s usually fixed within a few hours or days at most. These are rarely long-term problems.
There is no workaround when it‘s Twitter‘s systems at fault. All you can do is wait it out.
Follow @TwitterSupport for updates on any service issues impacting verification codes.
Avoid requesting too many codes which can worsen problems during an outage window.
Consider using an authentication app instead to bypass reliance on Twitter‘s servers entirely.

While Twitter service issues that disrupt verification codes can be annoying, take solace knowing the engineers treat it as a priority to maintain their systems. Stay patient, and it will be back up and running smoothly before you know it.

Using Authenticator Apps to Avoid SMS Problems

Earlier I suggested switching from SMS text verification codes to using an authenticator app as one fix.

Let‘s explore this option a bit deeper, since it can prevent SMS issues from locking you out if Twitter is having problems.

Popular authenticator apps like Google Authenticator and Authy solve the issue of relying on Twitter to text you codes needed to log in.

Here‘s how they work:

When first setting up 2FA, you add your Twitter account to the app and it syncs via QR code scan.
Going forward, the app generates 6-digit verification codes offline without needing to receive anything from Twitter.
Twitter provides a code field where you can enter your authenticator app code instead of waiting for an SMS.
As long as you have your phone with the app installed, you can generate Twitter verification codes yourself!

The biggest benefit is removing dependence on Twitter‘s systems to send you SMS codes that may fail.

Of course, you will need to keep the physical device with the authenticator app secured at all times. If you lose your phone, you cannot access the codes.

But for most Twitter users who always have their phone on them, switching to verification codes from an authenticator app can be a reliable workaround.

Locked Out of Your Account? Alternative Access Options

Let‘s say you‘ve tried all troubleshooting steps and still cannot receive Twitter‘s verification codes to log back into your account. Uh oh, now what?

While in many cases Twitter support can help recover access, here are a couple last resort options if you remain completely locked out:

Suspend your account – You can request to suspend your Twitter account temporarily which pauses access for all users. Once issues are resolved, you can unsuspend.

Start a new account – As a last ditch option, you may need to simply create a brand new Twitter account and slowly rebuild your followers. Be sure to export your data for safekeeping first!

Use SMS forwarding – Some carriers offer SMS forwarding to receive texts on another phone number or device. Set up forwarding to get codes sent to an alternate number if your main one isn‘t working.

Wait it out – Issues with Twitter verification rarely last more than a few days at most before resolved. Sit tight and keep trying.

With some patience and the right troubleshooting, you should be able to regain access to your coveted Twitter account without having to resort to more extreme measures.

Twitter Support and Contact Options

If you continue struggling to receive Twitter‘s verification codes, here are some support options to explore:

Twitter support email – Send an email to [email protected] explaining you cannot access your account due to 2FA issues.
Twitter support phone – You can call 1-415-222-9958 to speak with Twitter support directly.
Twitter support forms – Fill out Twitter‘s account access help forms detailing your 2FA issues.
@TwitterSupport – Send a Tweet or DM to @TwitterSupport for help with verification codes not sending.
In-app support – Navigate to Settings > Help > Contact Us in the Twitter mobile app.
Twitter status page – Check https://api.twitterstat.us for any known service issues impacting verification codes.

Take advantage of Twitter‘s customer service channels if you find yourself locked out of your account even after troubleshooting on your end. They can investigate and resolve many verification code issues.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

To recap, here are the key points on troubleshooting Twitter verification codes not sending or received:

Unblock Twitter‘s 40404 and 98948 short codes if you have them blocked.
Disable and re-enable 2FA which often clears up any issues.
Contact Twitter support if still stuck and request help disabling 2FA temporarily.
Switch to an authenticator app like Google Authenticator to avoid relying on SMS codes.
Ensure your current, active phone number is set in your Twitter profile.
Wait out any temporary technical issues on Twitter‘s end preventing codes from sending.

Armed with this comprehensive guide, you now have all the tools needed to troubleshoot and fix Twitter verification codes not being received or sent.

Take action on the step-by-step solutions outlined above, and you should once again be able to access your account successfully!