# Reset a staff member's Google Workspace password in the Admin console

> Admins reset a locked-out user's password from Directory > Users in the Google Admin console, then force a change at next sign-in.
>
> Source: https://docs.officeniaga.com/workspace-reset-user-password/

If a staff member forgets their password and cannot get back in, an admin can reset it directly in the [Admin console](https://admin.google.com), without needing the old password.

## Reset the password

1. Go to **Directory > Users**.
2. Point to the user in the list and click **Reset password**, or open their account page and choose it there.
3. Choose **Automatically generate a password** (the user must change it at next sign-in), or choose **Create password** and type one (at least 8 characters by default, or longer if your password policy requires it).
4. If you created the password, tick **Ask the user to change their password**.
5. Click **Reset**.

This is the admin-side option for when a user's own [forgot password](/workspace-forgot-password/) recovery does not work.

Click **Copy password** to share it, ideally by phone or WhatsApp rather than email if you suspect compromise.

## If the user is also stuck at 2-Step Verification

Do not disable [2-Step Verification](/workspace-2-step-verification/) to work around this. Instead, open the user's account, go to **Security > 2-step verification**, and click **Get Backup Verification Codes** to generate a new set. Share one code with the user so they can sign in and reconnect their verification method themselves.

## If the account may be compromised

Reset the password first, then on the user's **Security** page, find **Sign-in cookies** and click **Reset**. Together with the new password, this signs them out of active browser sessions, and on phones they must sign in again. Third-party mail apps such as Outlook or Apple Mail stop syncing until the user signs in with the new password.

## Still stuck

WhatsApp our support team at [+60 16-916 3324](https://wa.me/60169163324).

## Common issues

### Can an admin see a staff member's current password?

No. The Admin console does not display a user's existing password. You can only set a new one from Directory > Users and pass that on instead.

### Does resetting the password sign the user out of their phone and apps right away?

Not completely on its own. Third-party mail apps stop syncing until the user signs in with the new password. To sign them out of browsers and phones too, also reset their Sign-in cookies on the user's Security page.

### Should I turn off 2-Step Verification if the user is locked out of it too?

No, that weakens the account. Generate a backup verification code instead so the user can sign in once and set up their verification method again.