EDD login loop trap - verify email hell won't let me access my account
I'm about to throw my laptop out the window! For the past 3 days I've been stuck in this CRAZY loop trying to log into my EDD account. Here's what happens: I enter my username/password, then it tells me I need to verify my email before proceeding. So I check my email, click the verification link, and the page says 'Your email has been verified!' Great, right? WRONG. When I try to log in again, it sends me straight back to the 'verify your email' page... AGAIN! I've verified my email literally 15+ times now. I've tried different browsers, cleared cache, even tried on my phone instead. Nothing works! I'm supposed to certify by this Sunday and can't even get into my account. Has anyone else dealt with this email verification nightmare? Any solutions before I miss my certification deadline?
29 comments


Logan Stewart
omg same thing happening to me!!! ive verified like 7 times and it just keeps asking. so frustrating!!!! did u try calling them??
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Diego Castillo
•I tried calling but got the "we're experiencing high call volume" message and it hung up on me. Tried again around 8:02am thinking I'd catch them right when they open but same thing. Did you have any luck getting through?
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Mikayla Brown
This is a known issue with their system that's been happening since they updated the UI Online portal last month. There are two things you can try: 1. Instead of clicking the verification link in your email, COPY the entire link and paste it into a new incognito/private browser window. Sometimes their redirect gets messed up when you click directly. 2. If that doesn't work, try using a completely different device AND different internet connection (like your phone's data instead of WiFi). Some users reported success after switching networks completely. And most important - after verifying, DON'T close that browser window! Keep it open and navigate directly to the UI Online login page from there, then log in.
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Diego Castillo
•Thank you SO MUCH for these suggestions! I just tried the incognito window with the copied link and it still didn't work, but I'll definitely try the different network trick. My phone data is pretty slow but worth trying if it breaks this cycle!!
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Sean Matthews
Have you checked if your account is locked? Sometimes the system shows the verify email message when your account is actually locked from too many login attempts. Try the password reset option instead of just verifying.
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Diego Castillo
•That's an interesting thought! I didn't consider that it might be showing me the wrong error message. I'll try resetting my password completely tonight when I get home. Thanks for the suggestion!
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Ali Anderson
I went through this exact nightmare back in January. Nothing worked until I finally got through to an EDD tech support person who manually reset something on their end. The regular EDD reps couldn't help - you need to specifically ask for tech support when you call. I used Claimyr to get through after wasting days trying to call directly. Went to claimyr.com, watched their demo (https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km) and had a callback from EDD within an hour. The tech support guy fixed my account in like 5 minutes once I explained the verification loop issue. Apparently it's a server-side problem they have to fix manually sometimes.
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Logan Stewart
•is that service legit? i keep seeing it mentioned but seems sketchy that u can actually get thru when nobody else can??? how does it even work
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Zadie Patel
This happens because of a conflict between the authentication cookies and the verification system. Here's the fix that worked for many of my clients: 1. Clear ALL browser data (not just cache - delete cookies, autofill data, etc.) 2. Restart your computer completely (not just the browser) 3. Create a new bookmark directly to: https://portal.edd.ca.gov/WebApp/Login 4. Use that bookmark instead of going through the main EDD website 5. When prompted for verification, open the email on a different device 6. After clicking verify, wait 5 full minutes before attempting to login again If that doesn't work, you likely have a more serious account problem requiring direct EDD technical assistance. The verification loop is sometimes a generic error message for multiple different account issues.
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Diego Castillo
•Wow, these are super detailed instructions! I'll follow them to the letter tonight. The waiting 5 minutes part makes sense - maybe I've been trying to log back in too quickly after verification. Really appreciate the thorough help!
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A Man D Mortal
THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO MEEEE!!!! This stupid system has been broken for months and they don't fix it!!! I missed TWO certifications because of this garbage and now I have to reopen my claim. EDD is THE WORST agency in California hands down. And when you finally get through to someone they act like YOU did something wrong. I HATE THEM SO MUCH.
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Mikayla Brown
•I understand your frustration, but missing certifications can create bigger problems. If you're still having trouble getting in, you can actually certify by phone using Tele-Cert at 1-866-333-4606. It's not ideal but it works when the website doesn't, and it prevents you from having to reopen your claim.
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Diego Castillo
UPDATE: IT'S FIXED! I want to thank everyone who responded. Here's what ultimately worked: I followed @profile1's detailed instructions (especially the 5-minute waiting period after verification), but I also had to call tech support like @profile2 suggested. I used Claimyr to get through quickly, and the tech support person confirmed there was an account flag that was causing the verification loop. They removed it, and FINALLY I could log in! I was able to complete my certification with two days to spare. For anyone else stuck in this nightmare - a combo approach seems to be the answer. Thanks again everyone!
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Declan Ramirez
•Thanks for updating us! I'm having the same issue and was just reading through all this. Gonna try the same approach. Fingers crossed it works for me too!!
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Ali Anderson
Glad you got it resolved! Just as a heads up for future reference - I recommend setting up text message alerts for your EDD account too. That way if there's any verification needed or problems with your claim, you get notified by text instead of just email (which can go to spam). It's saved me a few times when there were issues.
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Diego Castillo
•That's a fantastic tip! I didn't even know text alerts were an option. Definitely setting that up now to avoid future headaches. Thanks!
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Royal_GM_Mark
This whole thread is so helpful! I'm bookmarking it because I have a feeling I'll need these solutions again in the future. EDD's system seems to break something new every few months. One thing I'd add - if you're still having trouble and need to certify urgently, you can also try going to a local America's Job Center (formerly One-Stop). They sometimes have staff who can help you access your account or at least guide you through the phone certification process. It's not ideal but it's another backup option when everything else fails.
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Atticus Domingo
•Great point about the America's Job Centers! I had no idea they could help with EDD account issues. That's actually really good to know as a backup option. I'm also bookmarking this thread - it's like a complete troubleshooting guide for EDD login problems. Thanks for adding that resource!
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Lauren Johnson
Just wanted to add another potential solution that worked for me when I had a similar issue last year - sometimes the verification emails get stuck in your email provider's security filters, not just spam. If you're using Gmail, check your "Promotions" and "Updates" tabs, not just spam. For Outlook users, check the "Other" folder. I found my verification emails were going to Gmail's Promotions tab and I was missing them completely. Also, if you have any email security software or corporate email filters, they might be blocking the verification links from working properly even if you receive the email. Worth checking with your IT department if you're using a work email address.
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Victoria Brown
•Oh wow, that's such a good point about the email tabs! I never would have thought to check Promotions or Updates folders. I bet that's caught a lot of people off guard. It's crazy how many different places these important emails can end up. I'm definitely going to remember this tip - seems like EDD login issues are just a fact of life at this point, so having all these different troubleshooting steps is super valuable. Thanks for sharing!
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Ethan Wilson
This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with the exact same verification loop issue right now and was getting so frustrated. Reading through all these solutions gives me hope that I can actually fix this. I'm going to try the incognito browser method first, then the complete data clearing approach if that doesn't work. If all else fails, I'll definitely look into using Claimyr to get through to tech support. It's reassuring to know that this is a known system issue and not something I'm doing wrong. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this community is a lifesaver when EDD's system decides to have a meltdown!
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Katherine Harris
•You're so right about this community being a lifesaver! When I first started having EDD issues, I felt completely lost and thought I was the only one dealing with these problems. It's amazing how sharing these experiences helps everyone navigate this broken system. Definitely try the incognito method first - it's the quickest to test. And don't get discouraged if the first few solutions don't work, sometimes it takes a combination approach like Diego found out. The most important thing is don't let it go too long if your certification deadline is approaching. Good luck getting it sorted out!
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QuantumQueen
I've been lurking on this subreddit for months but had to create an account just to thank everyone for this thread! I was literally about to have a panic attack over this exact same verification loop problem. My certification was due yesterday and I've been stuck in this nightmare for 4 days straight. I tried the incognito browser trick first - didn't work. Then I followed Zadie's detailed steps about clearing ALL browser data and waiting 5 minutes after verification. THAT DID IT! I'm finally logged in and just submitted my certification. You guys probably saved me from having to reopen my entire claim. This community is honestly more helpful than EDD's actual customer service. Bookmarking this thread forever and will definitely pay it forward if I see others with the same issue!
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Anastasia Sokolov
•So glad you got it working! It's such a relief when you finally break through that loop, especially when your certification deadline is looming. Zadie's method seems to be the most reliable solution from what I've seen in this thread. I love how supportive this community is - we're all just trying to navigate this frustrating system together. And you're absolutely right about paying it forward! That's what makes this place so valuable. Welcome to the community, and hopefully you won't need to deal with any more EDD nightmares anytime soon! 🙌
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Jamal Carter
I've been following this thread closely because I'm dealing with a similar issue, though mine's a bit different - I keep getting stuck at the two-factor authentication step after email verification. Has anyone else experienced this variation? After I verify my email successfully, it asks for a text code, but the code never arrives even though my phone number is correct in my profile. I've tried requesting new codes multiple times but nothing comes through. I'm wondering if this might be related to the same server-side issues that were causing the verification loops. Planning to try some of the solutions mentioned here (especially the complete browser data clearing) but curious if anyone has specific experience with the 2FA step failing after email verification works fine.
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Caesar Grant
•I haven't experienced the 2FA text issue specifically, but it sounds like it could definitely be related to the same server problems! A few things to try: First, double-check that your phone number in your EDD profile doesn't have any extra characters or formatting (sometimes dashes or spaces can mess things up). Also, if you have any text blocking apps or settings on your phone, temporarily disable them - EDD texts sometimes get flagged as spam. You might also want to try requesting the code while connected to a different network (like switching from WiFi to mobile data) since some networks block short code messages. If none of that works, when you do get through to EDD tech support, mention both the email verification loop AND the 2FA text issue - they might be able to reset both authentication methods at once. Hope this helps and you can get through soon!
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DeShawn Washington
This is such a comprehensive thread! I'm dealing with the same verification loop issue right now and it's driving me absolutely crazy. I've been stuck for 2 days and my certification is due Monday. Reading through all these solutions is giving me a game plan though. I'm going to start with the incognito browser method, then try the complete data clearing approach if that doesn't work. If I still can't get in by tomorrow, I'll definitely look into using Claimyr to reach tech support like several people mentioned. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to jump through all these hoops just to access our own accounts, but I'm grateful this community exists to help each other navigate EDD's broken system. Will update if I find success with any of these methods!
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Malik Thomas
•You've got a solid plan! I'd definitely recommend starting with the quick fixes before moving to the more intensive solutions. One thing I'd add to your approach - if the incognito method doesn't work, try copying the verification link and pasting it into a completely different browser (like if you normally use Chrome, try Firefox or Edge) before doing the full data clearing. Sometimes it's just a browser-specific cookie conflict. Also, don't stress too much about the Monday deadline - worst case scenario, you can always use the phone certification system at 1-866-333-4606 like someone mentioned earlier in the thread. It's not ideal but it'll keep your claim active while you sort out the login issues. Fingers crossed one of the simpler solutions works for you! Keep us posted on what ends up working - every data point helps the next person dealing with this nightmare.
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Brianna Schmidt
Just wanted to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! I dealt with this exact verification loop about 3 weeks ago and it was absolutely maddening. What finally worked for me was a combination of clearing all browser data AND switching to my mobile hotspot instead of my home WiFi. Apparently some ISPs have security settings that interfere with EDD's verification system. After switching networks and following the 5-minute wait rule, I was able to get in on the first try. Also want to echo what others said about Tele-Cert (1-866-333-4606) as a backup - I actually ended up using it for one certification while dealing with the login issues and it worked perfectly. Don't let pride keep you from using the phone system if you're running out of time! This community really is amazing for helping each other navigate EDD's chaos.
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