Gateway - Resetting a Forgotten NetID Password

Overview

If you forgot your NetID password or allowed it to expire, you will need to reset your password. The Password Recovery system allows you to reset your password by sending a temporary access code to your mobile phone number or alternate email address, allowing you to reset your password on your own.

If you have not configured password recovery with your account, you must call Help Desk Central at (979) 845-8300 to reset your password. After your identity is verified by a consultant, Help Desk Central will walk you through the process of setting a new password.

NOTE: YOU MUST HAVE YOUR UIN/PARENT TOKEN TO RESET YOUR PASSWORD. If you have forgotten your UIN/parent token, visit Forgotten UIN/Parent Token for information on how to retrieve it. Help Desk Central cannot provide UINs.

NOTE: If you are a former student who has not enrolled in classes within the past two years, your NetID is deactivated and your account is converted into a Former Student Account. You will need to fill out the Former Student Questionnaire (FSQ) to have your account reactivated and set a new password. For more information on filling out the FSQ, visit Former Student Account Activation.

Resetting Your Forgotten Password

Option 1: Password Recovery

If you currently don’t know your password, you must have already provided your mobile phone number or alternate email address to use the password recovery service. If you already provided this information, proceed to the steps below. To learn how to set up Password Recovery, visit Setting up Password Recovery.

The following information is needed to set up Password Recovery:

• UIN: Your UIN (no dashes)
• Date of birth: Your date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY)

1. Go to password.tamu.edu.
2. Enter your UIN (no dashes) and date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY). Click Log In.
3. If you are enrolled in Duo two-factor authentication, you will be prompted to authenticate.
4. Choose whether you want the temporary access code sent to your alternate email address or mobile phone number. Click Send me a new code to have a temporary access code sent to you. Or, if you already have a code, click I already have a code. This code is NOT your new NetID password, but it will be used to reset your password. 
5. You will now be taken to a webpage where you must enter the access code. DO NOT LEAVE THIS SCREEN. Enter the access code in the field and click Log In. the access code will expire in 12 hours. If you wait more than 12 hours to enter the access code, you will need to request a new one (go back to step 4). 
6. Enter and confirm your new NetID password. Your new password must not be previously used and must comply with NetID password rules, which are displayed on the page. 
7. Click Save when done.

Option 2: Assisted Password Recovery [Call-In Reset]

If you have not set up Password Recovery, you must use the assisted password recovery service. For security reasons and to best protect your account, assisted password resets can only be used over the phone and not via email.

1. Go to password.tamu.edu.
2. Enter your UIN and date of birth. Click Log In. 
3. If you are enrolled in Duo two-factor authentication, you will be prompted to authenticate.
4. Call Help Desk Central at (979) 845-8300. HDC will mark your account for password recovery after verifying your identity. HDC is available for password reset assistance 24 hours a day.
5. You will see a screen that either has a box labeled “Access Code” or a box asking where you would like your temporary access code sent. If you see the latter screen, click I already have a code, then you will be taken to a page where you can enter your access code. 
6. Enter the temporary access code given to you by the Help Desk technician. 
7. Enter and confirm your new NetID password. Your password must meet the NetID password rules, which are displayed on the page.
8. Click Save when done.
9. On next screen, you will see a green message stating your password has been successfully reset. Beneath that, there will be a section titled “Password Recovery”. To enroll in this feature so you may reset your password on your own in the future, provide a non-Texas A&M email address and/or mobile phone number in their respective fields. Click the Save button when done. For more information on setting up SSPR, visit Setting Up Password Recovery.

What if I am out of the country and unable to call Help Desk Central?

If you are out of the country and unable to call Help Desk Central, email your NetID password request to helpdesk@tamu.edu. Explain that you are out of the country and unable to call. HDC will still need to verify your information via video through Zoom or Bomgar, meaning you must include the best time for Help Desk to contact you (Central Standard Time). If you are uncertain what the time zone difference is, you can use the converter at http://timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html. You can use “U.S.A. - Texas – Houston” to represent Central Standard Time.

NOTE: After you have your NetID marked for a password reset, you still need to reset your NetID password. Be sure to do this within 12 hours of receiving your temporary access code, as these codes are only valid for 12 hours. If you do not use a code before it expires, you will need to contact HDC again to get a new code.