Reset Your eBay Password in Three Steps

If you cannot remember your eBay password, you can reset it through the eBay sign-in page without calling anyone or waiting for a response. Go to ebay.com, click Sign in in the top right, then click Forgot password? below the password field. eBay will send a reset link to the email address on your account, and you can create a new password within minutes.

The entire process takes about five minutes if you have access to your email. If you do not have access to the email address on file, the process takes longer and requires you to verify your identity through other means — usually your phone number or the last four digits of a payment method on your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Click Forgot password? on the eBay sign-in page to start a password reset without logging in.
  • eBay sends a reset link to your registered email address, and the link works for 24 hours.
  • If you cannot access your email, you can verify your identity using your phone number or a payment method instead.
  • Your new password must be at least 8 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol.
  • If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you will need to enter a code from your phone or email before you can reset your password.

Step-by-Step: Reset via Email

Start at ebay.com and look for the Sign in button in the top right corner of the page. Click it to open the sign-in screen. You will see two fields: one for your email or username, and one for your password. Below the password field, click the blue text that says Forgot password?

eBay will ask you to enter the email address or username associated with your account. Type it in and click Continue. eBay then sends an email to the address on file with the subject line "Reset your eBay password." Check your inbox — if you do not see it within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder, because the email sometimes gets filtered there.

Open the email from eBay and click the blue Reset password button or link inside it. This takes you to a page where you can create a new password. The password must be at least 8 characters long and must include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol (like ! or @). Type your new password twice to confirm it matches, then click Save password. You can now sign in with your new password.

The reset link in the email works for 24 hours. If you wait longer than that, you will need to start over and request a new reset email.

What to Do If You Cannot Access Your Email

If the email address on your eBay account no longer works or you do not have access to it, click Forgot password? as usual, but when eBay asks for your email or username, select I don't have access to this email address or a similar option (the exact wording changes occasionally). eBay will then offer you other ways to prove you own the account.

You can verify your identity using your phone number — eBay will send a code by text message to the number on file, and you enter that code to proceed. Alternatively, if you have a payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account) linked to your account, eBay can send a code to the email address associated with that payment method instead. Choose whichever option matches information you still have access to.

After you verify your identity, you will be taken to the password reset page, where you create a new password the same way as described above.

If You Have Two-Factor Authentication Enabled

Two-factor authentication is an extra security layer that requires you to enter a code from your phone or email in addition to your password. If you turned this on, you will need to complete this step before you can reset your password. When you click Forgot password? and enter your email or username, eBay will ask you to enter a code.

If the code is sent to your phone, look for a text message from eBay with a six-digit number. If it is sent to your email, check your inbox for a message with the code. Enter the code on the eBay page and click Continue. After that, you can proceed with creating a new password as normal.

If you do not receive the code, click Didn't get a code? and eBay will offer to send it to a different phone number or email address, or will let you verify your identity another way.

Password Requirements and Best Practices

eBay requires all passwords to be at least 8 characters long and to contain all four of these types of characters: uppercase letters (A–Z), lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and symbols (such as !, @, #, $, %, or &). A password like MyEbay2024! meets these requirements. A password like password123 does not, because it lacks uppercase letters and a symbol.

When you create a new password, do not use one you have used before on eBay, and do not use a password you use for other websites or accounts. If someone gains access to your eBay account, you want to make sure they cannot also access your email, bank account, or other important accounts. Write your new password down in a find place, or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to store it.

What Happens After You Reset Your Password

Once you create a new password, you are signed out of all devices where you were previously signed in. This is a security measure — it means that if someone else had access to your account, they will be locked out. The next time you try to use eBay on your phone, tablet, or computer, you will need to sign in again with your new password.

If you are signed in on multiple devices, you will need to enter your new password on each one. This usually takes just a few seconds per device. If you see a device you do not recognize listed in your account settings, you can sign out of it remotely without needing to have that device in front of you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to receive the password reset email?

The email usually arrives within a few minutes. If you do not see it after 10 minutes, check your spam or junk folder — email filters sometimes catch it there. If it is not in spam either, click Forgot password? again and request a new reset email.

Can I reset my password if I do not remember my username or email?

If you do not remember the email address on your account, you will need to verify your identity using your phone number or a payment method instead. Start the password reset process, and when eBay asks for your email, select the option to verify another way.

What if the password reset link is not working?

The link expires after 24 hours. If you waited longer than that, request a new reset email. If the link is not working even though it is fresh, try a different web browser or clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again.

Do I need to change my password if I reset it?

No. Once you have reset your password and signed back in, you are done. You only need to reset it again if you forget it or if you think someone else has accessed your account.

Will resetting my password delete my listings or purchases?

No. Resetting your password only changes the password you use to sign in. Your listings, purchase history, saved items, and all other account information stay exactly as they were.