Resetting Your Salesforce Password Without an Admin
Forgetting your password does not mean you need to file an IT ticket. Salesforce provides a self-service password reset flow that takes about two minutes.
Self-Service Password Reset
1 Go to your Salesforce login page. This is either login.salesforce.com or your organization's custom My Domain URL.
2 Click "Forgot Your Password?" — the link sits directly below the password input field.
3 Enter your Salesforce username. This is usually your work email address. If you are unsure of your username, check previous Salesforce emails or ask a colleague.
4 Click "Continue." Salesforce sends a password reset email to the address linked to your user record.
5 Open the email and click the reset link. The subject line is typically "Reset Your Salesforce Password" and the sender is [email protected].
6 Create your new password. It must meet your organization's password policy (minimum length, character requirements, cannot reuse recent passwords, etc.).
7 Log in with your new password and complete MFA when prompted.
Don't See the Email?
Check your spam/junk folder. Also search for emails from [email protected]. The reset link expires after 24 hours.
When the Reset Email Does Not Arrive
If you have waited 10+ minutes and the email has not appeared in your inbox or spam folder:
- Verify your username. A misspelled username will not trigger an error (for security reasons) but also will not send an email. Try again with the exact username.
- Check with your email admin. Corporate email filters may block Salesforce emails. Ask your IT team to whitelist
[email protected]and the domainsalesforce.com. - Try your custom domain URL. If you are resetting from
login.salesforce.combut your org uses My Domain, try the reset flow fromyourcompany.my.salesforce.cominstead. - Ask your Salesforce admin. If none of the above works, your admin can manually reset your password from Setup → Users → [Your User Record] → "Reset Password."
Password Policy Requirements
Salesforce administrators control password policies at the org level. Common settings include:
| Policy Setting | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum length | 8–12 characters |
| Complexity requirement | Must include uppercase, lowercase, and a number |
| Password expiration | 30, 60, or 90 days |
| Password history | Cannot reuse last 3–12 passwords |
| Lockout after failed attempts | 3–10 attempts |
If your new password is rejected, it likely violates one of these policies. Try a longer password with mixed character types.
What If Your Account Is Locked?
After too many failed login attempts, Salesforce locks the account. How to regain access:
- Wait for the lockout to expire. Most orgs set a lockout duration of 15–30 minutes. After that, try the self-service password reset again.
- Contact your admin. Admins can unlock your account immediately from Setup → Users → [Your User Record] by clicking "Unlock."
- If you are the only admin and you are locked out, contact Salesforce Support at help.salesforce.com. You will need to verify your identity.
Resetting Your Password via the Salesforce Mobile App
If you have the Salesforce mobile app installed and are still logged in:
1 Open the Salesforce app.
2 Tap the hamburger menu → Settings → Change Password.
3 Enter your current password (if you remember it partially, you may have saved it in your phone's keychain) and set a new one.
If you cannot access the mobile app either, use the web-based self-service flow described above.
Best Practices to Avoid Future Lockouts
- Use a password manager such as 1Password, Bitwarden, or your browser's built-in manager. Let it generate and store strong, unique passwords.
- Enable biometric login on mobile. The Salesforce mobile app supports Face ID and Touch ID, so you do not need to remember your password for daily mobile access.
- Note your username somewhere safe. Forgotten usernames are harder to recover than forgotten passwords.