ESD eServices login loop problem - can't access my account today
Is anyone else having login problems with ESD eServices today? I've been trying for the past hour to sign in but keep getting stuck in this weird loop. I enter my username and password correctly, click 'Sign In' and instead of taking me to my account dashboard, it just refreshes the login page without any error message. I've tried clearing my browser cookies, using a different browser (Chrome and Edge), and even restarting my computer. Still the same issue! I need to file my weekly claim today and I'm getting really worried about missing the deadline. Has the system crashed or something?
25 comments


Zoe Alexopoulos
same here!! been trying since 8am and just keeps going back to login page. so frustrating!!
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Andre Lefebvre
•Glad I'm not the only one (though sorry you're dealing with it too). Have you tried calling their tech support line yet?
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Jamal Anderson
I had this EXACT SAME PROBLEM this morning!!! The ESD system is such garbage honestly. They expect us to file claims on time but then their website doesn't even work half the time. I found a workaround though - try using an incognito window and then BEFORE you enter your password, delete all browser data (especially cookies for esd.wa.gov). That fixed it for me after like 6 tries on regular browsers.
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Andre Lefebvre
•Thanks for the tip! I'll try the incognito window right now and let you know if it works.
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Mei Wong
•Just wanted to add that sometimes the SecureAccess Washington (SAW) authentication service has problems separately from ESD. You might need to go directly to secure.esd.wa.gov and try logging in there first, then navigate to eServices.
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QuantumQuasar
This is a known issue that happens occasionally when ESD does backend updates to their system. I work in IT and can explain what's happening: the authentication cookie isn't being properly set, so the system keeps thinking you haven't logged in yet. Here are some troubleshooting steps that should work: 1. Clear ALL browser cache and cookies (not just for ESD) 2. Disable any ad blockers or privacy extensions temporarily 3. Try using the "https://secure.esd.wa.gov/home/" direct URL instead of going through the main ESD site 4. If that doesn't work, wait about 30-60 minutes and try again - they're probably doing system maintenance Don't worry about your weekly claim deadline - ESD usually extends the filing period by a day if they have confirmed system issues. You can also call and explain you couldn't file due to technical issues.
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Andre Lefebvre
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! I followed your steps and #3 worked for me - going directly to the secure.esd.wa.gov link bypassed whatever was causing the loop. I was able to file my weekly claim. Really appreciate your help!
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Zoe Alexopoulos
•the direct link worked 4 me too!! thx!!
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Liam McGuire
I had the same problem and spent 3 hours trying to get through to ESD on the phone with no luck. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. They confirmed they're having system issues today affecting some accounts. The agent was able to manually verify my identity and push through my weekly claim over the phone. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 - saved me a ton of stress since I'm already behind on rent this month.
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Amara Eze
•Is that service legit? Never heard of it before and I'm always suspicious of services related to unemployment stuff.
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Liam McGuire
•Yes, it's legitimate. It basically just helps you get through the ESD phone system and connects you to an actual person instead of getting disconnected or waiting on hold forever. The agent I spoke with was definitely from ESD and helped resolve my issue. It's basically just a way to skip the phone queue.
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Giovanni Greco
Not to go off topic, but this reminds me of what happened last year when I was claiming unemployment. The website would keep glitching every time I tried to report my part-time hours. I ended up getting an overpayment notice for $2800 because the system didn't record my earnings properly! Took 3 months and multiple appeals to get it fixed. Always. Screenshot. Everything. When dealing with ESD! Trust me on this one.
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Andre Lefebvre
•That's good advice about the screenshots. I'll start doing that for all my ESD interactions. I got back in using the direct link someone suggested above, but I'm going to document everything just in case.
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Mei Wong
Anybody know if the login issues are fixed now? I need to update my address on my account before they mail something important.
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QuantumQuasar
•Just checked - the system appears to be functioning normally now. I was able to log in without any workarounds. They must have fixed whatever was causing the authentication loop.
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Andre Lefebvre
UPDATE: After trying everyone's suggestions, the direct link to secure.esd.wa.gov worked for me! I was able to log in and file my weekly claim. Thanks to everyone who helped troubleshoot this issue. For anyone else having the same problem, try the direct link and clear your cookies first!
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Zoe Alexopoulos
•glad u got it working!! thx for updating us
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Mei Chen
I'm having the exact same issue right now! Been trying to log in for about 45 minutes and keep getting that same login loop. Really glad to see others posting solutions - I was starting to panic about missing my weekly filing deadline. Going to try the direct secure.esd.wa.gov link that several people mentioned. It's so frustrating when the system has problems like this, especially when we depend on it for our benefits. Thanks everyone for sharing your troubleshooting tips!
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Andre Moreau
•The direct link definitely works! I had the same exact problem earlier today and that's what finally got me through. Make sure to clear your browser cookies first like @QuantumQuasar suggested - that seems to be the key step. Don't panic about the deadline either, from what I've seen ESD usually gives extensions when they have confirmed system issues like this. Hope you get it sorted out quickly!
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Harper Hill
Just want to add another solution that worked for me when I had this same issue a few weeks ago - if the direct secure.esd.wa.gov link doesn't work, try switching to a different network temporarily. I was having the login loop problem on my home WiFi, but when I switched to my phone's hotspot it worked immediately. Something about the way certain ISPs cache the authentication cookies can cause this issue. Also, for anyone still stuck, you can file your weekly claim by phone at 800-318-6022 - the automated system is usually more reliable than the website during these technical glitches.
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Grace Durand
•That's a great tip about switching networks! I never would have thought of that. The phone filing option is also super helpful to know about - I always forget that exists as a backup when the website is acting up. Really appreciate everyone sharing all these different workarounds. This community is so helpful when ESD's system decides to have issues!
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Harper Collins
I'm experiencing this exact same issue right now! Started trying to log in about 30 minutes ago and keep getting thrown back to the login screen with no error message. Really relieved to see I'm not the only one and that there are solutions posted here. I'll try the direct secure.esd.wa.gov link after clearing my cookies. This is so stressful when you're trying to file on time - why does their system always seem to have problems at the worst possible moments? Thanks to everyone who shared their workarounds, this thread is a lifesaver!
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Ellie Lopez
•I totally understand that stress! I had the exact same login loop issue this morning and was panicking about missing my filing deadline too. The direct secure.esd.wa.gov link worked like a charm for me after I cleared my cookies - definitely try that first. It's so frustrating how ESD's system always seems to glitch at the worst times, but at least we have this community to help each other out with solutions. Hope you get logged in quickly!
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Liam Brown
I'm dealing with this same login loop issue right now too! Been stuck on it for about 20 minutes. It's so frustrating because I can see my username and password are correct, but it just keeps refreshing back to the login screen. I tried clearing my browser cache and cookies like some of you suggested, and I'm about to try the direct secure.esd.wa.gov link. Really appreciate everyone sharing their solutions here - it's such a relief to know this is a known system issue and not something wrong with my account specifically. Fingers crossed the direct link works because I really need to file my weekly claim today!
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Derek Olson
•I just went through this exact same thing earlier today! The direct secure.esd.wa.gov link is definitely your best bet - it worked for me after I cleared all my cookies first. I was getting so frustrated with that endless login loop, but once I used the direct link it went straight through to my account dashboard. Don't stress too much about the filing deadline either - from what others have mentioned, ESD usually extends the deadline when they have confirmed system issues like this. You should be able to get your weekly claim filed once you get through!
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