Claude is a go-to AI assistant for many users, but problems like phone verification failures, login errors, and account lockouts are all too common. This article rounds up the most frequent issues and offers real-world fixes to help you get back on track without the headache.
What to do when you don’t receive the SMS verification code
Many users get stuck at the very first step—entering their phone number and never seeing the verification code. First, double-check that you’ve selected the correct country code. For users in China, that means choosing +86. If the number is correct but you haven’t received anything after five minutes, try registering with a Gmail or Outlook email address instead—some domestic email domains are known to delay or block verification messages. Also, if you’ve requested codes too many times from the same number in one day, the system may automatically block further attempts. Wait at least 24 hours before trying again, or switch to a different SIM card.
Frequent “Request Error” prompts after logging in
If your Claude chat window keeps spinning or you see a “Request Error” message right after login, the culprit is almost always your network environment. Claude requires a stable connection to its overseas servers. If you’re using a proxy or VPN, switch to a low-latency node—ideally in the western United States or Japan. For direct connections, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache. Chrome users should check for extensions that interfere with cookies. If the issue persists, visit the Claude status page—it might be a temporary server hiccup that resolves on its own within 30 minutes.
How to unlock a suddenly locked account
Some users report getting their Claude account locked without any obvious violation. The most common trigger is sending too many identical queries or refreshing the API too frequently in a short period. The fix is straightforward: go to the login page and click “Forgot password?” to reset your password using the email you registered with. If the lock remains after resetting, email Claude’s support team at support@anthropic.com with your account ID and a brief description of the issue—unlocking typically happens within 24 hours. To avoid future triggers, refrain from repeatedly pasting and submitting very long texts in rapid succession, as this can easily flag the system’s risk controls.
