Can't Login to my MacBook Air - Password Issues

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Level 1

42 points

Can't Login to my MacBook Air - Password Issues

I'm having a nightmare ☹️

I am unable to login to my MacBook Air M1. I think I had a couple of stuck keys, and this I think was the initial cause. After a few failed login attempts, I was locked out of my MacBook. I have lost track of a lot of the procedures from thereon, which included sending a code to my iPhone, getting a code sent to my iPhone etc. This was as far as I was aware to reset the MacBook password, but this didn't seem to work. I'm unsure if this was for resetting my Apple ID or my MacBook password. Currently my MacBook shows 'Macintosh HD' and 'Options' when starting up. When pressing 'Options' and 'Continue', I am taken to 'Recovery Assistant' which is showing 'Activate Mac', and 'Select an admin user you know the password for'. My username is displayed. When I click on my username then 'Next' I'm requested to enter my password. But every attempt at entering the password is refused. There are no other options displayed. I have logged into my Apple ID / iCloud on another computer, so I am sure of the password for my Apple ID. My MacBook Air is showing as online and the location in iCloud.com.

Can anyone help me, please? 😩

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 14.6

Posted on Jan 10, 2025 8:50 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

machineage Author

Level 1

42 points

Jan 10, 2025 2:22 PM in response to machineage

OK - sorted! After removing all the keycaps, cleaning everything, reinstalling the keycaps, I restarted the MacBook, which again took me to the 'Activate Mac' screen. I entered my original password, and it worked. My MacBook was re-activated, it restarted itself, I entered my password again, and all is good! No lost data. I can only guess this must have been due to unresponsive keys, and the stuck spacebar. At some point down the line of attempting to sort this, I must have also de-activated my MacBook. Note: keep the keys / keyboard clean, and sort any unresponsive / stuck keys as soon as they appear.

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Answer 2

Tesserax

Level 10

160,750 points

Jan 10, 2025 3:49 PM in response to machineage

machineage wrote:

...I can only guess this must have been due to unresponsive keys, and the stuck spacebar. At some point down the line of attempting to sort this, I must have also de-activated my MacBook. Note: keep the keys / keyboard clean, and sort any unresponsive / stuck keys as soon as they appear.

Correct on all your statements! Too may "bad" password attempts will eventually lock your Mac. Although a bit difficult, should this happen again, carefully look at the password window when entering key strokes. The asterisks that appear should match each key press. The other common mistake is having the caps key enabled.

I suggest keeping some of the following articles handy should you come across another issue with passwords in the future ... although most of these relate more to "forgotten" password, but may still be useful:

If you forgot your Apple Account password - Apple Support
If you forgotten your Mac login password - Apple Support
Solving login password problems - The Eclectic Light Company
How to gain access to a locked Mac - The Eclectic Light Company

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Answer 3

Jan 10, 2025 1:38 PM in response to machineage

the method you used is correct. But for the admin user you need to remember old password. Take it to apple Genius Bar. The can help more we are just Apple users like you.

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Answer 4

machineage Author

Level 1

42 points

Jan 10, 2025 11:39 AM in response to Techlover14

I don't want to erase the MacBook. I just need to find a way to reset the password to login. I've since removed all the keycaps and cleaned them. Pretty sure it was the space bar causing the issue, and possibly stuck down. It was sluggish, and the metal bars weren't rotating freely. It's much better now.

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