Change or Reset Your UMN Password

Your UMN password (also known as your Internet ID Password) is the password associated with your University email address that unlocks many secure resources at the University such as MyU, Google Apps, Canvas, Eduroam, the University VPN and more. Throughout this article the word "password" is used in place of "UMN Password" and "Internet ID Password."

This article outlines how to reset your UMN password on your own and also includes helpful troubleshooting tips. 

Table of Contents

I Don't Know My Password OR I'm Having Trouble Logging In

If you don't know your password and need to reset it, you can reset it yourself using your Password Reset Questions or your alternate email address. 

Note: If you do not have either an alternate email address or Password Reset Questions set up, call Technology Help (612-301-4357) for assistance resetting your password. For security reasons, passwords cannot be reset via Technology Help's email or chat functions.

  1. Click Forgot your password? on any University of Minnesota sign-in page.
    UMN Sign In page with INTERNET ID and PASSWORD boxes. "Forgot your password?" link below PASSWORD is selected.
  2. The Recover Your Password page will be displayed.
    Recover Your UMN Password page with textbox to "Enter your Internet ID or alternate email address." Additional information to "Enter your Internet ID, then answer your password reset questions. Or enter your account's alternate email address."
  3. Enter your InternetID or, if you have set up an alternate or email address for your UMN internet account, you may enter that email address.
    • Your alternate email address is the "Home" email address listed in MyU for Students, Staff, Faculty, and Parents/Guardians. Follow the instructions in Set up your alternate email address (in the article) after you have regained access to your account.
    • For Sponsored accounts, your alternate email is the email your sponsor set up your account with.
    • For a Guest account, enter the email you set up your Guest account with.
  4. Select Sign In. 

Option 1: Resetting Your Password Using Your Password Reset Questions

After selecting the forgotten password reset option, you can complete the reset using your Password Reset Questions.

  1. Answer the three password reset questions that you have previously set up. 
  2. Enter a new password in the New Password field.
    Note: Select Show Password Requirements to learn more about creating a strong password.
  3. Retype your new password in the Confirm New Password field.
  4. Select Submit. A message confirming the successful change to your UMN password will appear.
    Success! You reset your password. If you need to reset your password more than once in a 24 hour period contact Technology Help (it.umn.edu) at 612-301-4357 (1-HELP)

Set up my Password Reset Questions

If you do not have Password Reset Questions set up, complete the steps in Set Up Your Password Reset Questions after you have regained access to your account so that you have this as a reset option in the future when you need it.

Option 2: Resetting Your Password Using Your Alternate Email

After selecting the forgotten password reset option, you can complete the reset using your alternate email address.

  1. Log in to your alternate email account. 
  2. Locate the UMN Forgotten Password email from [email protected]
    Example email from accounts@umn.edu titled "UMN Forgotten Password" the first line of the email is the example's temporary password. The remainder of the email repeats the steps to complete the reset.
  3. Copy the temporary password from the email. 
  4. Go to my-account.umn.edu/change-password and sign in with the temporary password emailed to you.
  5. Fill out the password reset form, using the temporary password emailed to you as the Current Password in the form.
  6. Select Submit. A message confirming the successful change to your UMN password will appear.
    Success! You reset your password. If you need to reset your password more than once in a 24 hour period contact Technology Help (it.umn.edu) at 612-301-4357 (1-HELP)

Set up an alternate email address

If you do not have an alternate email set up, add an alternate email after you have regained access to your account so that you have this as a reset option in the future when you need it.

  1. Log into MyU using your Internet ID and password.
  2. Click the My Info tab on the left side of the screen.
  3. Click the Edit button for Email.
  4. Click Add an Email Address.
  5. Choose Home as the email type.
  6. Type in an alternate email address that you have access to.
  7. Click Save.

I Know My Password and Want to Reset It

If you know your password and want to reset it:

  1. Log into my-account.umn.edu. 
  2. On the left, click the Password Management menu.
    Self Service menu, Password Management menu item selected
  3. Select Reset Your UMN Password.
    Self Service menu, Reset Your UMN Password selected
  4. Enter your current ("old") password into the box marked Current Password.
  5. Choose a new password and enter it into the box marked New Password and again in the box marked Confirm New Password.
  6. Click Submit.

Troubleshoot Common Password Reset Errors

If you are unable to reset your password while connected via WiFi, connect to the Internet via a wired connection instead and follow the instructions again. If you continue to have issues, please call Technology Help (612-301-4357).

You may get an error message when attempting to reset your password. Follow the solutions below to successfully reset your password.

Password Reset Questions Page Error

Error message "There was 1 error that prevented this form from submitting. Please correct any highlighted fields belowand try again."
This error message appears when you have entered something incorrectly on any page in my-account.umn.edu. Even though the error message says "there was 1 error," it can appear for any of the following errors:

  • One or more of the password reset question answers is incorrect.
  • Your new password does not meet the password requirements.
  • Your new password is not correctly typed in the Confirm New Password field.
    Reset Your UMN Password screen. Error messages "There was 1 error that prevented this form from submitting. Please correct any highlighted fields below and try again" at the top of screen and "You did not enter the same new password twice" below the New Password textbox

There will be another message detailing what criteria is not met. Carefully correct any issues noted on the page. Click Submit to retry resetting your password.

Password Requirements Error

If you see any of the error messages indicating that your new password does not meet the requirements for passwords, try a different password according to the requirements listed on the page. 

Additional Resources

If you do not have either an alternative email address or Password Reset Questions set up, call Technology Help (612-301-4357) for assistance resetting your password. For security reasons, passwords cannot be reset via Technology Help's email or chat functions.

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