Wikipedia:Request an account/Help and troubleshooting

WAIT! READ THIS FIRST BEFORE PROCEEDING TO REQUEST AN ACCOUNT!

Before requesting an account, it is important for you to know that the request an account process is severely backlogged at this time. If you submit a request today, you can expect a response from a member of the team regarding the approval or decline of your account request in approximately 6 months on average.

DON'T WORRY! YOU CAN AVOID HAVING TO WAIT IN LINE! THIS PAGE WILL HELP YOU!

Want to avoid the wait time and create an account instantly that's ready to use right away? Just click here to create one! If you haven't tried creating a Wikipedia account for yourself using the correct page and form, please do so by clicking the link above. You do not need to go through the ACC process unless you're having issues or problems with creating an account on Wikipedia. If you're having errors or issues creating an account, please read through this help and troubleshooting guide completely, and attempt to resolve the issue so that you can do so before proceeding to use the ACC process to request one. You will not have to wait in line if you can create your own account on Wikipedia.

Are you having issues with seeing the CAPTCHA security check image or other required fields on the account creation page? Help is here! Some troubleshooting steps are listed below for you to try in order to resolve your particular issue. To avoid having to request an account and wait in line, please try each of these possible solutions first before requesting an account using the ACC process:

‹The template below is included via a redirect (Template:Ctop) that is under discussion. See redirects for discussion to help reach a consensus.›

Common troubleshooting steps to resolve web page issues

Restart your computer.
Make sure that your browser and your operating system are fully up to date. If any of them are out-of-date, update them, and reboot your computer.
Disable any enabled browser add-ons, pop-up blocking software, and any other software that filters web pages, web page content, domains, or connections. Restart your browser after doing so.
Install and use a different browser such as Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.
Connect to a different internet or network connection (such as your mobile device's LTE or data service, or a different WiFi connection). If you're currently on a work, public, school, or shared internet connection that may be behind a proxy filter, use your home or other internet connection that is open and not behind a proxy server^{[notes 1]}.
Use a different computer or device (such as your mobile device, or a trusted friend or family member's computer). If you're currently on a work, public, school, or shared computer, use a home computer or other device that isn't shared. Such computers may be configured to connect through proxy filtering servers or contain software that may interfere with your ability to load and view the required forms and images on the account creation page.^{[notes 2]}.
Ask a trusted friend, family member, computer guru, or network administrator for help with loading all necessary forms and elements of the account creation page.^{[notes 3]}.

Are you unable to create an account because of username you've chosen? In nearly all situations and cases where the username you've chosen cannot be used to create an account, you must choose a different username in order to resolve this. ACC tool users and the ACC process cannot create new accounts with usernames that you wouldn't be able to choose and create yourself (with the exception of usernames that are "too similar" to another account; see below for more information). Refer to the list of common resolutions and answers below for more information regarding your specific error so that you can easily resolve it. If the username you've chosen cannot be used to create a new account, do not request an account using the ACC process. Please review the list below for more information:

‹The template below is included via a redirect (Template:Ctop) that is under discussion. See redirects for discussion to help reach a consensus.›

Common answers and resolutions to username errors

If your chosen username is already taken by another Wikipedia account or Wikimedia Foundation account, you must choose a different username regardless of the other account's status or whether or not it is currently blocked or locked on one or all projects. Before proceeding to using the ACC process to request the creation of an account, you need to check whether or not the username you've chosen is already taken. You can do this by clicking here and entering the username (case sensitive) into the field. If the page doesn't return an error stating that "there is no global account for '[your chosen username]'", or any information returns and if the page shows that the username is in use on any WMF project listed, the username is globally taken and unavailable, and you must choose a different username.
If your chosen username contains #, <, >, [, ], |, {, }, _, /./, or /../, or if it begins with :, ./, or ../, or ends with /., or /.., the username contains invalid characters and you must choose a different one. There are more restrictions and details that you can read and review by clicking here. Additional characters can cause other issues, restrictions, and errors, even if they're allowed to be created. It's best to avoid the use of these characters anywhere in your username if at all possible.
If the username you've chosen is too similar to the username of other accounts, the ACC process can override the restriction and create the account for you, but only if all of the accounts that your username is similar to are unestablished and inactive. See this section of the ACC tool user guide for how this is determined. If the requirements listed in the ACC guide determine the other accounts to be unestablished and inactive, you may use the username that you've chosen. Please proceed to create a new account request using the ACC process by clicking the link at the bottom of this page, and your request will be approved.

Are you still having issues? Did none of the above troubleshooting steps help? Is your issue related to something else not listed here? If reviewing and following the "common troubleshooting steps to resolve web page issues" does not resolve your problem, or if you've been explicitly told by an experienced user, account creator, Wikipedia admin, or ACC tool user that you need to go through this process, please scroll to the bottom and click on the appropriate button to proceed to the ACC request page and begin the required processes involved with filing an account creation request.

Do you still need to request an account and wait in line instead of creating one yourself?

Request an account

^ It is highly recommended that you only connect to WiFi networks and access points that you fully know and trust to be safe and secure. Never attempt to use a public WiFi connection if you're not sure of its security or trust level.
^ It is highly recommended that you only use a device or computer that isn't public and that belongs to somebody that you fully know and trust, as well as a device you believe to be safe and secure from viruses, spyware, or other vulnerabilities. Never attempt to use a computer that's public or if you're not sure of its security, trust level, and protection from viruses, spyware, or other vulnerabilities.
^ Other people should not help you in a way where they would know, be given or told, or otherwise have access to or become aware of the password to your new account at any time. This is against Wikipedia's policies on shared accounts as well as user account security.

[1] It is highly recommended that you only connect to WiFi networks and access points that you fully know and trust to be safe and secure. Never attempt to use a public WiFi connection if you're not sure of its security or trust level.

[2] It is highly recommended that you only use a device or computer that isn't public and that belongs to somebody that you fully know and trust, as well as a device you believe to be safe and secure from viruses, spyware, or other vulnerabilities. Never attempt to use a computer that's public or if you're not sure of its security, trust level, and protection from viruses, spyware, or other vulnerabilities.

[3] Other people should not help you in a way where they would know, be given or told, or otherwise have access to or become aware of the password to your new account at any time. This is against Wikipedia's policies on shared accounts as well as user account security.

[notes 1]

[notes 2]

[notes 3]