Quick checklist — what to try first
Many login problems are simple to fix. Try these quick checks before moving to recovery steps:
- Confirm you opened KuCoin via a bookmark or by typing
kucoin.com
— avoid clicking links in email or chat. - Check keyboard layout and caps lock; paste your password from a password manager rather than retyping it.
- Restart the KuCoin app or browser, and reboot your device — sometimes stale sessions or temporary glitches cause sign-in failures.
- Try an incognito/private browser window to rule out interfering extensions or cached sessions.
- If many users are reporting issues, check KuCoin’s status page before making repeated reset attempts.
Step 1 — Use the official password-reset flow
If you forgot your password or suspect it was changed, use KuCoin’s official “Forgot password” flow. Request a reset link to the email associated with the account and follow KuCoin’s instructions. If the reset email doesn't arrive, check your spam/junk folder and ensure you used the correct email address. If a reset link expires, request a new one rather than reusing old links.
Important security tips while resetting:
- Only click the reset link that comes from KuCoin’s official domain and email address.
- Never provide passwords or 2FA codes to anyone who contacts you saying they’re support. KuCoin will not ask for your password via email or chat.
- If you do not control the recovery email or can’t access it, you’ll need to use KuCoin’s verified support/recovery process.
Step 2 — Troubleshoot two-factor authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) protects your account but can also block you if a code or device is lost. KuCoin supports authenticator apps and other 2FA options — check their help center for exact setup steps. If you use Google Authenticator, Authy, or a similar app, the most common 2FA problems are:
- Time drift: TOTP codes depend on correct device time. If codes are rejected, ensure your phone’s clock is set to automatic network time.
- Lost device: If you lost the phone with your authenticator, use any saved backup/one-time codes you stored offline. If you don’t have backups, you’ll need to follow KuCoin’s account recovery procedures.
- SMS delays: SMS-based codes may be delayed or blocked; also note SMS is less secure and vulnerable to SIM-swap attacks.
Tip: When enabling 2FA, save the backup codes KuCoin provides and store them in a safe, offline location (paper safe or encrypted vault).
Step 3 — Account recovery & identity flows (when automated flows fail)
If password reset and 2FA recovery don’t work — for example, if you cannot access your email or lost MFA — KuCoin may require identity verification. Commonly this involves submitting ID photos, a selfie with a handwritten note, or other verifiable documents through KuCoin’s official support portal. Follow KuCoin’s ARP (Account Recovery) instructions exactly — they typically specify what documents, photo formats, and note wording are acceptable.
Practical ARP tips:
- Take clear photos in good light showing both your face and the ID document simultaneously if requested.
- Write the exact phrase KuCoin asks for on a piece of paper (do not improvise), and include the current date if required.
- Only upload documents via KuCoin’s secure support portal; never email sensitive documents to unknown addresses.
Step 4 — App and browser troubleshooting
If the KuCoin app or website behaves inconsistently (frozen screen, errors, or Cloudflare/anti-bot pages), try these device-level steps:
- Force-quit the app and reopen it. Reboot your phone or computer.
- Ensure you’re running the latest app version from the official store (App Store / Google Play) or the latest browser version.
- Clear site cookies and cache or try an incognito/private browsing window to rule out extensions.
- If you see access-limiting messages (rate-limited, blocked), consult KuCoin’s status or support pages for guidance rather than repeatedly reloading.
Step 5 — Check status & platform incidents
Before escalating by opening support tickets or repeatedly resetting credentials, verify whether KuCoin is experiencing a known outage or incident. Check KuCoin’s system status page and official announcements; if there’s a platform-wide issue, you’ll likely save time by waiting for an official fix rather than repeating recovery attempts that may be impacted by the outage.
Step 6 — Be sure it’s not phishing
Phishing is incredibly common. Attackers will send fake emails or texts that appear to come from KuCoin and link to counterfeit login pages. To avoid phishing:
- Never click login links in unsolicited messages; type
kucoin.com
manually or use a trusted bookmark. - Inspect the sender’s email address for subtle misspellings or extra words.
- Use a password manager — it will only autofill on exact domains, so if it won’t fill, the page may be fake.
- Report suspicious emails to KuCoin via their official support contact rather than engaging with the sender.
If you suspect your account was compromised — immediate steps
If you believe someone else has access to your account, act promptly and safely:
- From a known-secure device and network, change your KuCoin password and revoke any active sessions if the account remains accessible.
- Disable or reset any MFA methods that may be exposed and re-register stronger options (hardware security key / passkey) where supported.
- Open a support ticket through KuCoin’s verified support portal and report the suspected unauthorized activity — include timestamps and transaction IDs if available.
- Contact your bank/payment provider if funds were moved or there is risk to linked accounts, and consider fraud alerts with credit bureaus when appropriate.
Prevention & good habits to avoid future lockouts
- Use a reputable password manager and unique passwords for every service.
- Enable 2FA (authenticator app or hardware key) and keep offline backups of recovery codes.
- Secure your recovery email with MFA and a unique password.
- Bookmark KuCoin and avoid entering credentials after following links in unsolicited messages.
- Consider registering a spare hardware key and storing it securely if you rely on hardware-based 2FA.
- Regularly review KuCoin’s official support pages so you know official recovery procedures ahead of time.
When to contact KuCoin support
Contact KuCoin support through their verified support center when:
- Automated password reset and 2FA recovery methods fail.
- Your account shows unauthorized trades or withdrawals.
- You need manual review for identity verification (ARP) or other special recovery steps.
This guide is educational and intentionally generic. For account-specific instructions (resets, ARP submissions, or suspected fraud), use KuCoin’s verified support pages and the official app — never share passwords or one-time codes with anyone claiming to be support via unsolicited messages.