Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Can't Log Into Yahoo Mail (alternative email problem)

Jun 16, 2016 5:17PM PDT

Hi,

I cannot log into my Yahoo Mail. It says my password isn't working. When I click "forgot password," I enter my yahoo email ID and required CAPTCHA. Here, it lists my alternate email. When I click "send me a code," I check my alternate email and find no emails from yahoo. I have checked the spam and junk folder too, so this leads me to believe that my alternate email isn't receiving yahoo's email to reset my password.

When I click "I don't have access to this alternate email," it prompts me to visit the Yahoo Help Site

At the Yahoo Help site, I have tried the tips here but to no success:
1. Security Questions are not available to me; and
2. I did not back up my account with a mobile number linked to it.

I fear my account was hacked. Although this was my alternate email with a pseudonym account for gaming, I have many gaming information and emails here that are important to me. Am I out of luck? I read that in these instances that I may not be able to recover my account.

Is there a way to contact Yahoo and ask them to update my alternate email, or work with them so I can correctly receive the needed email to reset yahoo info to my alternate email? I know that there is no phone number to reach them anymore.

Thank you and any help is appreciated.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
When you get it back, do not rely on CLOUD EMAIL.
Jun 16, 2016 6:57PM PDT

Go get Thunderbird next time and get your own copy where you can't lose it again.

- Collapse -
Good Tip
Jun 17, 2016 1:36AM PDT

Thanks for the info - I'll definitely keep that in mind next time around. I am luck it wasn't my primary account.

- Collapse -
not going help if account hacked
Jun 17, 2016 2:52AM PDT

using thunderbird will not help if the yahoo account is hacked nor will it prevent it from being hacked.

- Collapse -
Actually it can help
Jun 17, 2016 7:27AM PDT

Unlike the top post where they lost all their email, Thunderbird is a local copy of our email, contacts that we can backup and not lose it if the account is hacked.

- Collapse -
Answer
looks like you are out of luck
Jun 17, 2016 2:55AM PDT

if you do not have access to your security questions, they dont have your mobile phone, or your alternate email address is not working then you are out of luck. support.

- Collapse -
Bummer
Jun 17, 2016 3:02AM PDT

Yeah bummer, I am starting to accept this. I am really disappointed that Yahoo lacks a direct customer service line. Regardless if that would have made a difference or not, it blows.