Resetting your password is the worst experience

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Brave Pixel 28 Mar, 2020 @ 4:37am

I am thankfully still logged in on desktop, however my mobile app is signed out.

I have attempted to log-in but failed and wanted to reset my password. The website and app both insist on using the Steam Mobile App and that your unique codes match. This is not the case when using the Steam app, and I've sat here waiting for matching codes.

The only other option was to receive a 2-factor text code, which I then used but the following steps required me to remove my Steam App protection of my account which I didn't want to do or see necessary.

I am still unable to change my password and find the entire process cumbersome. I have proved my 2-factor credentials with Steam by using my phone and using the app to generate codes. I'm not sure what more I can do.

Are Steam just not wanting people to use their mobile app? I tried resetting my password through the app entirely and it prompted to me to "open the Steam app for a code", ridiculous, I'm already in the app?

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Showing 1-13 of 13 comments

Dr.Shadowds 🐉 28 Mar, 2020 @ 4:53am

Please be aware how 2FA works, it's a time base algorithm. That means, if you enter code at wrong time, it won't work that's how it works. You're given codes at fixed times, and need to enter the code within short period of time, that why it's time base algorithm.

If your device you're trying to login such as PC does not have the correct time, please sync your clock to the internet to get the correct time.

If you're using 2FA app on mobile device, please ensure that it's also has the correct time, please sync your clock to the internet to get the correct time.

If you're using VPN, proxy, or even choosing another time zone for your clock, that may be the reason why your clock not set correctly. As said before 2FA is a timebase code.

Brave Pixel 28 Mar, 2020 @ 5:02am

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:
Please be aware how 2FA works, it's a time base algorithm. That means, if you enter code at wrong time, it won't work that's how it works. You're given codes at fixed times, and need to enter the code within short period of time, that why it's time base algorithm.

If your device you're trying to login such as PC does not have the correct time, please sync your clock to the internet to get the correct time.

If you're using 2FA app on mobile device, please ensure that it's also has the correct time, please sync your clock to the internet to get the correct time.

If you're using VPN, proxy, or even choosing another time zone for your clock, that may be the reason why your clock not set correctly. As said before 2FA is a timebase code.

Yeah I use 2-factor all the time, it seemed that Steam wanted me to use a feature of the Authenticator app that I don't have access to because I wasn't logged in.

I don't change with any VPN or time setting on my devices and all is fine, and I completed all the codes processes within fast/normal timeframes and shouldn't have any code conflictions.

I was unable to to add a code via the app because I am not able to log in via the app to reset my password in the first place.

Dr.Shadowds 🐉 28 Mar, 2020 @ 5:23am

Did you not write your recovery code?

This may help, other wise if don't have recovery code, nor any access to 2FA code, then have to contact support.
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8625-wrah-9030#restart

Brave Pixel 28 Mar, 2020 @ 6:12am

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:
Did you not write your recovery code?

This may help, other wise if don't have recovery code, nor any access to 2FA code, then have to contact support.
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8625-wrah-9030#restart

Yeah I just generated some recovery codes but when I went back to reset my password, there were no options to input the recovery codes.

I just really want a simple 'reset password' where I type in a new password and confirm via my phone, Steam shouldn't make this so difficult.

I've got a list of probably 20 of those codes but no matter what I do with Steam forgot password, there's no option to input any code value.

The only way forward is to remove Steam App guard from my account, which I really don't want to do because I don't want to lose trading access or compromise my account for the time before I can access it again.

Brave Pixel 28 Mar, 2020 @ 6:19am

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:
Did you not write your recovery code?

This may help, other wise if don't have recovery code, nor any access to 2FA code, then have to contact support.
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8625-wrah-9030#restart

I follow all the actions in the web browser to password reset, following the route of sending a code to my email.

Once I've entered this code, it asks me to verify by a code in the app. I have the app open whilst I am logged out of the app, but it is still generating 5 digit codes with my username at the bottom.

The website says it wants to check that other 5 digit code on screen with the one in app, and they do not match, nor is any pop up or confirmation screen appearing on the app. I am not logged in in app and have no way to access it.

Dr.Shadowds 🐉 28 Mar, 2020 @ 6:44am

Watch the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vano0hx59SI

If you do not have the recovery code, then again contact support.

Also to add, you can't generated some recovery codes, you're given only ONE single code which is the recovery code that starts with an R_ _ _ _ So if you do not have this then you did not write down your recovery code when you link your mobile 2fa to your account. When you link your 2FA to your Steam account you're shown a large RED area with your CODE which tell you to write it down as it's your recovery code.

Last edited by Dr.Shadowds 🐉; 28 Mar, 2020 @ 6:46am

Brave Pixel 28 Mar, 2020 @ 7:09am

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:
Watch the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vano0hx59SI

If you do not have the recovery code, then again contact support.

Also to add, you can't generated some recovery codes, you're given only ONE single code which is the recovery code that starts with an R_ _ _ _ So if you do not have this then you did not write down your recovery code when you link your mobile 2fa to your account. When you link your 2FA to your Steam account you're shown a large RED area with your CODE which tell you to write it down as it's your recovery code.

I already cannot follow the video you suggested as it first wants me to remove the steam authenticator, but also asks me to log in to my account to continue, which is exactly the problem I am having - I cannot login as I do not know my password

Brave Pixel 28 Mar, 2020 @ 7:17am

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:
Watch the video.
.

partially solved,

I brute force guessed my own password multiple times via the web browser and have logged back in. Steam requested the authentication code from the app (which I was still not logged into) and it still shows my username and a code that regens there, I entered that code and could access my account again.

Though I'm still unsure how to change my password in general for my own peace of mind, it's a difficult password anyway, but I just wanted to change it as I generally like to change regularly.

Hopefully now I'm in the app, changing should be easier.

God help me if I'm ever in this situation again though as it was impossible to get a password reset without compromising the security of my account - even though I never changed my email or phone, and the app was still generating codes for my username.

Dr.Shadowds 🐉 28 Mar, 2020 @ 7:17am

Enter in either your email, or phone number to search for your account, then choose the correct options. Do this on broswer that you're not login on, as this is for password change.
https://help.steampowered.com/en/wizard/HelpWithLoginInfo?issueid=406

Last edited by Dr.Shadowds 🐉; 28 Mar, 2020 @ 7:20am

↑↑↓↓←→←→BASelect 28 Mar, 2020 @ 9:16am

In the steam client go here.

https://store.steampowered.com/account/

You will see where you can change your password once you can log into the client.

Last edited by ↑↑↓↓←→←→BASelect; 28 Mar, 2020 @ 9:16am

#10

zaphodikus 28 Mar, 2020 @ 2:07pm

2FA takes you out of the realm of "simple", but print out the codes, and hide them in a drawer, or better yet punch the codes into lastpass for safe-keeping.
Yeah I panic often when the happens, but going slow is the best way. Yes you do hit the trading window barring, but you need to ignore the stress, I find taking along a big glass of red wine down to the computer room helps a lot.

#11

TheCuriousTongue 10 hours ago

It’s so dumb. I’m trying to do it through phone app and the dumb thing wants me to use the app to authenticate… wtf? Maybe if Gaben spent less time Epsteining his way through every poor young Mauri boy in NZ.

#12

zaphodikus 1 hour ago

When on a phone, use a web browser and stick to the browser. It's quicker than trying to come up with a witty recovery and is practical. Self medicating if needed is indeed recommended. Yeah I know the camera barcode thingy won't work, but it's astounding how able-ist people can become whenever someone struggles.

Last edited by zaphodikus; 1 hour ago

#13

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Date Posted: 28 Mar, 2020 @ 4:37am

Posts: 13

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