PA UC website locked me out again after password reset - How to regain access?

The same exact thing happened to me last month. The system is TERRIBLE. What fixed it for me was trying to log in using a completely different browser (I switched from Chrome to Firefox). Also clear all your cookies and cache before trying again. For some reason the PA UC website gets confused if you've logged in before on the same browser.

have u tried using ur cellphone instead of computer? my account got locked 2 and i could get in using my phone but not my laptop for some reason

There's a specific procedure for account lockouts after PIN resets. This is a common issue with the new system. You need to: 1. Wait a full 24 hours from when you were locked out 2. Use the "Forgot Username/PIN" option (not the regular login) 3. When prompted, select "Account Locked" as your issue 4. Complete the identity verification steps 5. You'll receive an email with temporary login credentials If that doesn't work, you absolutely need to speak with a representative. The account may have a security flag that only they can remove.

lol welcome to PA unemployment where nothing works right and nobody cares. been like this for YEARS. they upgrade the system and somehow make it worse every single time.

Have you tried calling the Employer UC Service Center instead of the regular claimant number? Sometimes they're less busy and can transfer you to someone who can help with login issues. The number is different (i think 866 instead of 888).

After spending literally WEEKS trying to get through to PA UC about my locked account issue, I finally discovered a service called Claimyr that got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. It basically keeps dialing and navigating the phone tree for you until it gets through, then calls you back when it has an agent on the line. Totally worth it for me since I was missing payments. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2

One more thing to try: if your account is still locked after 24 hours, it might be a browser cache issue. Try this: 1. Clear browser cache completely 2. Restart your computer (not just the browser) 3. Try the login page using incognito/private mode 4. Make sure you're using the exact username format from your original registration (some people use email, others use custom usernames) 5. Double-check you're on the official site (www.uc.pa.gov) The system sometimes gets confused when you've had multiple sessions or password reset attempts.

I work with clients experiencing UC issues, and this locked account problem has been extremely common since the January 2025 system update. From what I've observed, the most effective solution is actually to use the "Request Callback" feature on the UC website rather than calling in. It's accessible even from the login page (small link at the bottom). Request the earliest available time and specifically mention "account lockout after PIN reset" in the notes. The callback team seems to have special tools to unlock accounts and bypass the usual 24-hour waiting period. Best of luck with your claim!

UPDATE: Success! I tried the forgotten PIN option this morning after waiting 24 hours like suggested. Had to answer some extra security questions and verify my identity again, but I'm back in my account now! My payment was delayed by one day but is now processing. Thank you everyone for your help - this community saved me from a total meltdown!