DigiLocker Login Not Working: How to Fix

DigiLocker is the Indian government's official digital document wallet used by over 30 crore citizens to store Aadhaar, PAN, driving licence, mark sheets, and other documents. When login fails, you lose access to all your digital documents. This guide covers every common login problem and the exact steps to fix it.

Common Error Messages and Symptoms

• "Invalid OTP — please try again" — OTP is rejected during login
• "OTP not received" — no SMS arrives after requesting OTP
• "Invalid Aadhaar number" — Aadhaar is not accepted on the login screen
• "Your account has been locked" — too many failed login attempts
• "Security PIN is incorrect" — entered PIN does not match
• "Something went wrong — please try again later" — generic server error
• Documents missing after app update
• App login works but web login does not (or vice versa)
• Login page stuck on loading spinner
• Biometric authentication fails on the app

Fix 1: OTP Not Received

This is the most common DigiLocker login problem. The OTP is sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number via UIDAI servers.

Why It Happens

• Mobile number registered with Aadhaar is different from your current number
• UIDAI or DigiLocker servers are temporarily overloaded
• Network issues or DND (Do Not Disturb) is active on your SIM
• SMS inbox is full

How to Fix

1. Check your Aadhaar-linked number — Visit myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in and verify which mobile number is linked. DigiLocker sends OTP only to this number.
2. Wait and retry — OTP can take up to 3 minutes during peak hours. Do not click "Resend OTP" repeatedly — wait at least 60 seconds between attempts.
3. Disable DND — Call your telecom provider or send STOP DND to 1909 to turn off Do Not Disturb, which blocks transactional SMS.
4. Clear SMS inbox — If your inbox is full, new messages may not arrive. Delete old messages and retry.
5. Check network signal — Ensure you have mobile network signal (not just Wi-Fi). OTP arrives via SMS, not internet.
6. Try during off-peak hours — DigiLocker and UIDAI servers are least loaded between 6 AM and 9 AM and after 9 PM.
7. Update Aadhaar mobile number — If your number has changed, visit the nearest Aadhaar Enrolment Centre with your Aadhaar card and proof of new number. This takes 7–10 days to update.

Note: If your Aadhaar verification itself is failing, see our detailed guide on DigiLocker Aadhaar Verification Failed — How to Fix.

Fix 2: Aadhaar Number Not Accepted

DigiLocker shows "Invalid Aadhaar" or refuses to proceed after you enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number.

Why It Happens

• Typing error — entered wrong digits
• Aadhaar number has been deactivated by UIDAI (rare, due to inactivity or fraud flagging)
• Using Virtual ID (VID) instead of Aadhaar number or vice versa
• DigiLocker app is outdated

How to Fix

1. Double-check the number — Verify all 12 digits from your physical Aadhaar card or e-Aadhaar PDF.
2. Use Aadhaar number, not VID — DigiLocker login requires the 12-digit Aadhaar number. If you have a 16-digit VID, use the original Aadhaar number instead.
3. Check Aadhaar status — Visit myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in → "Verify Aadhaar" to confirm your Aadhaar is active.
4. Update the app — Open Google Play Store or Apple App Store and update DigiLocker to the latest version. Older versions may have input validation bugs.
5. Try the web version — If the app rejects your Aadhaar, try logging in at digilocker.gov.in on a browser.

Fix 3: Forgot Security PIN

DigiLocker uses a 6-digit security PIN as a second layer of authentication. If you forget it, you cannot access your documents.

How to Reset Your Security PIN

1. Open DigiLocker app or go to digilocker.gov.in.
2. On the login screen, enter your Aadhaar number or username.
3. Tap "Forgot Security PIN".
4. You will receive an OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
5. Enter the OTP and set a new 6-digit PIN.
6. Confirm the new PIN and log in.

If OTP Also Fails During PIN Reset

• Follow all steps from Fix 1: OTP Not Received above.
• If your mobile number has changed, you must first update it with UIDAI before you can reset your PIN.

Tip: Choose a PIN you can remember but that is not easy to guess. Avoid 123456, your birth year, or repeated digits.

Fix 4: Account Locked After Multiple Failed Attempts

DigiLocker locks your account temporarily after 5 consecutive failed login attempts as a security measure.

How to Fix

1. Wait 30 minutes — The lock is temporary. After 30 minutes, you can attempt login again.
2. Reset your Security PIN — If you were entering the wrong PIN, use the "Forgot Security PIN" flow (see Fix 3 above) after the lock expires.
3. Do not keep retrying — Each failed attempt during the lock period extends the lockout duration.
4. Contact support if locked permanently — If your account remains locked after 24 hours, email support@digitallocker.gov.in with your Aadhaar number (masked: share only last 4 digits) and describe the issue. You can also raise a ticket at digilocker.gov.in/contact-us.

Fix 5: Documents Disappeared After App Update

After updating the DigiLocker app, some users find their documents section empty or showing errors.

Why It Happens

• App update cleared the local cache
• The update changed how documents are fetched from issuer servers
• You are logged into a different DigiLocker account (if you have multiple)
• Issuer server (e.g., transport department, CBSE) is temporarily down

How to Fix

1. Log out and log back in — This forces a fresh sync with DigiLocker servers. Go to Settings → Logout → Login again with your Aadhaar.
2. Pull to refresh — On the Issued Documents and Uploaded Documents tabs, pull down to refresh. Documents are fetched from issuer servers in real time.
3. Check "Issued Documents" vs "Uploaded Documents" — Issued documents (from government departments) and uploaded documents (your scanned copies) are stored separately. Check both tabs.
4. Clear app cache — Go to your phone's Settings → Apps → DigiLocker → Storage → Clear Cache (not Clear Data). Then reopen the app.
5. Re-fetch documents — Go to the "Search Documents" section, find the issuer (e.g., "Driving Licence" from your state's transport department), and re-fetch the document.
6. Try the web version — Log in at digilocker.gov.in to check if documents are visible there. If they are, the app issue is temporary.

Related: For detailed steps on fetching missing documents, see DigiLocker Document Not Showing — How to Fix.

Fix 6: App vs Web Login Differences

DigiLocker is available as a mobile app (Android and iOS) and as a web portal. Login behaviour differs slightly between them.

Key Differences

Troubleshooting App-Specific Login Issues

1. Force-stop and reopen — If the app is stuck on the login screen, force-stop it from your phone's settings and reopen.
2. Clear app cache — Settings → Apps → DigiLocker → Clear Cache.
3. Reinstall the app — Uninstall and reinstall from Play Store / App Store. Your documents are stored on DigiLocker servers, not on your phone, so nothing is lost.
4. Check app permissions — DigiLocker needs SMS permission to auto-read OTP. Go to Settings → Apps → DigiLocker → Permissions → Enable SMS.

Troubleshooting Web-Specific Login Issues

1. Clear browser cookies — Clear cookies for digilocker.gov.in in your browser settings.
2. Disable browser extensions — Ad blockers or privacy extensions may block DigiLocker scripts. Try in incognito/private mode.
3. Use a supported browser — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Avoid outdated browsers.
4. Disable VPN — Some VPN connections cause DigiLocker to reject login requests.

Fix 7: How to Reset Your DigiLocker Account

If nothing else works, you can reset your DigiLocker account. This is a last resort.

Option A: Reset via the App/Website

1. Go to digilocker.gov.in or open the app.
2. Click "Forgot Security PIN" or "Sign In" → enter Aadhaar → request OTP.
3. After OTP verification, set a new Security PIN.
4. This effectively resets your login credentials while keeping your documents intact.

Option B: Contact DigiLocker Support

If you cannot receive OTP and cannot access your account at all:

1. Email: support@digitallocker.gov.in
   • Subject: "Account Reset Request — Unable to Login"
   • Include: Last 4 digits of Aadhaar, registered mobile number, description of the problem
2. Grievance portal: digilocker.gov.in/contact-us
3. Phone: Call the DigiLocker helpline at 14600 (NAD helpline) or 1800-258-1800 (toll-free).
4. Twitter/X: Tag @diaborweb for faster responses.

Response time is typically 3–5 working days.

Option C: Create a New Account

If your old account is unrecoverable:

1. Ensure your current mobile number is linked to your Aadhaar (visit an Aadhaar centre if needed).
2. Sign up fresh at digilocker.gov.in.
3. Your Aadhaar can only be linked to one DigiLocker account. If the old account still exists, contact support to deactivate it first.
4. After creating a new account, re-fetch all issued documents from the respective government departments.

Quick Checklist Before Contacting Support

Before raising a support ticket, confirm the following:

• Your Aadhaar-linked mobile number is active and receiving SMS
• You have tried both the app and the web portal
• You have waited at least 30 minutes if your account was locked
• You have cleared app cache or browser cookies
• You have tried during off-peak hours (early morning or late night)
• You have updated the DigiLocker app to the latest version
• You have checked UIDAI server status at uidai.gov.in

FAQs

Can I log into DigiLocker without Aadhaar?

No. DigiLocker requires Aadhaar-based authentication for login. You need your 12-digit Aadhaar number and access to the linked mobile number for OTP.

I changed my phone. Will I lose my DigiLocker documents?

No. All documents are stored on DigiLocker's cloud servers. Install the app on your new phone, log in with your Aadhaar and OTP, and all documents will be available.

Can I have two DigiLocker accounts?

No. Each Aadhaar number can be linked to only one DigiLocker account. If you accidentally created a second account, contact support to merge or deactivate one.

Is DigiLocker login the same as UMANG or mParivahan login?

No. While some apps use Aadhaar-based authentication, DigiLocker has its own separate account system with its own Security PIN. Logging into DigiLocker does not log you into UMANG or mParivahan.

DigiLocker says "Service Unavailable." What do I do?

This means DigiLocker or UIDAI servers are down. Wait 1–2 hours and try again. Check DigiLocker's Twitter for outage announcements.

Related Guides

• DigiLocker Aadhaar Verification Failed — How to Fix
• DigiLocker Document Not Showing — How to Fix