You’re sitting on the couch, maybe scrolling through your phone, when a notification pops up. It's from Amazon. It says Amazon password reset required. Immediately, your stomach drops. Did someone hack your account? Is your credit card info floating around the dark web? Most of the time, it’s actually Amazon being overprotective, though sometimes it’s a red flag you can't ignore.
Honestly, it’s a massive pain. You just wanted to check on your delivery, and now you’re locked out.
But here’s the thing. Amazon doesn't just do this for fun. They have these massive automated systems—basically digital guard dogs—that sniff out anything "weird." If you logged in from a coffee shop in a different state, or if a database from some random website you used five years ago got leaked, Amazon might preemptively kill your password. They’d rather annoy you than let a stranger buy a $3,000 camera on your dime.
Why you’re seeing the Amazon password reset required message
It usually boils down to "suspicious activity." That’s a broad term, I know. Specifically, Amazon looks for credential stuffing. This is when hackers take a list of emails and passwords leaked from other sites—think the massive LinkedIn or Adobe breaches—and try them on Amazon. If they find a match, they’re in. To prevent this, Amazon cross-references known "leaked" password databases. If they see your current password on one of those lists, they trigger a mandatory reset.
Sometimes, it's just your VPN. If you’re using a VPN that routes your traffic through Germany while you’re physically in Ohio, Amazon’s security bot thinks, "Wait, that’s not right," and locks the door.
The Phishing Trap
This is where it gets dangerous. Not every Amazon password reset required notice is real. Scammers send fake emails that look identical to the real ones. They want you to click a link, go to a fake login page, and hand over your credentials voluntarily.
👉 See also: John Conway and the Original Game of Life: Why This 1970 Zero-Player Classic Still Breaks Our Brains
How can you tell? Check the sender. A real Amazon email comes from an @amazon.com address. If it’s from "amazon-support-security-99@gmail.com," delete it. Better yet, don't even click the email. Just go directly to Amazon.com in your browser or open the official app. If a reset is actually required, the app will tell you the moment you try to log in.
The actual steps to get back into your account
Don't panic. If you're genuinely locked out, the process is usually straightforward, provided you still have access to your email or phone number.
- Go to the Amazon sign-in page.
- Enter your email.
- When it asks for a password, click "Forgot Password."
- You'll get a One-Time Password (OTP) via email or SMS.
- Enter that code and pick a new password.
Make it a good one. Don't just add a "1" to the end of your old password. If you use "Password123" and change it to "Password124," you aren't fooling anyone, especially not the automated scripts hackers use. Use a passphrase. Something like "ThePurpleToasterRunsAtMidnight!" is way harder to crack than "Summer2024!".
What if you lost your phone?
This is a nightmare scenario. If you have Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) turned on—which you should—but you lost your phone or changed your number, you’re in for a bit of a climb. You’ll have to go through account recovery. This usually involves uploading a photo of a government-issued ID to prove you are who you say you are.
It takes time. Usually 24 to 48 hours. Amazon’s specialists have to manually verify the document. It sucks, but it’s better than the alternative.
When the reset loop won't stop
Sometimes you change the password, and then an hour later, you get another Amazon password reset required notification. This is the "reset loop." It's incredibly frustrating.
Usually, this happens because you have a third-party app connected to your Amazon account. Maybe it’s an old price-tracking tool, a shipping manager, or a smart home device that keeps trying to log in with your old credentials. Every time that app tries to sync, Amazon sees a "failed login attempt" and thinks someone is trying to brute-force their way in.
💡 You might also like: Who is the inventor of headphones? The weird, messy truth about the gear on your ears
Go to your account settings and look for "Login with Amazon" or "Third-party apps with account access." Revoke everything you don't recognize.
Security habits that actually work
Let's talk about 2FA for a second. It's the single best thing you can do. Even if a hacker has your email and your new password, they can't get in without that second code.
- Use an Authenticator App: Apps like Google Authenticator or Authy are better than SMS. SIM swapping is a real thing where hackers take over your phone number. They can't do that with an app-based code.
- Check your "Your Devices" list: Periodically go into your Amazon settings and look at the list of registered devices. If you see an "Android Device" in a city you've never visited, de-register it immediately.
- Unique Passwords: I know, everyone says this. But if you use the same password for Amazon and your local pizza shop's website, you're asking for trouble. If the pizza shop gets hacked, your Amazon account is basically a gift to the hackers.
Moving forward with a secure account
If you’ve successfully handled the Amazon password reset required prompt, don’t just walk away and forget about it. This was your wake-up call. Security isn't a "set it and forget it" thing; it's a habit.
Check your order history. Look for "archived" orders. Sometimes hackers buy stuff and then archive the order so you don't see the notification in your main list. If you see anything weird, contact Amazon's fraud department immediately. They are generally pretty good about reversing unauthorized charges if you catch them fast.
Also, check your digital "Buy Now" settings. If you have 1-Click ordering enabled, it makes it very easy for someone who gets into your account to drain your bank account before you even realize what's happened. Consider turning it off for a while until you're sure your account is "clean."
Actionable steps for right now
If you just got one of these emails or your account is currently locked, follow these steps immediately to ensure you aren't being phished:
- Close your email app. Open a fresh browser window and type in Amazon.com manually.
- Attempt a login. If the account is truly locked, Amazon will provide a clear on-screen prompt to reset your password there.
- Update your 2FA. If you’re still using SMS, switch to an app-based authenticator like Microsoft Authenticator or Authy.
- Review "Login with Amazon." Clear out old apps that have permission to access your profile.
- Change your email password too. If your Amazon password was compromised, there is a high chance your email might be at risk as well, especially if you reused passwords.
Stay vigilant. Most "hacks" aren't some movie-style genius cracking a code; they're just people using old keys to open locks that were never changed. Use a password manager, turn on 2FA, and stop clicking links in emails you didn't expect to receive. It saves a lot of headaches in the long run.