Completely Locked Out – 2FA Loop + Support Login Required + CAPTCHA Returning 403 / 401 (Cannot Contact Support)

[Ek4m]

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Hello everyone,

I am completely unable to access my GitHub account and I’m stuck in a loop.

When I try to sign in, GitHub asks me to approve the login from the GitHub mobile app. However, since I recently reset my phone, I no longer have access to the mobile app. When I install the app and try to authenticate, it tells me to approve the login using the browser instead. This creates a loop, and I cannot get in from either side.

I then tried to contact GitHub Support, but:

Support form requires login

I clicked "prove you are human" CAPTCHA

CAPTCHA fails and returns 403 – Access Denied

Example:
https://github-api.arkoselabs.com/rtig/image?... → 403

Public_key endpoint also returns 401 – Unauthorized

https://github-api.arkoselabs.com/fc/gt2/public_key/... → 401

So currently:

I cannot sign in

I cannot approve 2FA

I cannot use the mobile app

I cannot open a support ticket (requires GitHub login)

I cannot even complete CAPTCHA due to 403/401 errors

Account info

GitHub username: namikarif

Email on account: namig.abdukerimov@gmail.com

Could someone from GitHub staff please guide me on:
1️⃣ How to recover access or reset 2FA
2️⃣ How to submit a support request without logging in
3️⃣ Whether there is an email or non-login form to contact Support

At this point, I’m completely stuck and unable to make progress. Any help would be appreciated.

[shinybrightstar]

Hi @Ek4m, 👋

If you’ve lost access to your two-factor authentication (2FA) credentials, you can regain access to your account by using your recovery codes or another recovery option. Please visit GitHub’s Virtual Assistant to explore your available options.

Additionally, check out our GitHub 2FA Troubleshooting & Prevention Guide 🔐 for comprehensive troubleshooting steps.

If you have lost your 2FA codes and recovery codes, the only way to regain access to your account is by using a previously set up verified device, SSH key, or Personal Access Token (PAT). If you have any of these, please open a ticket in our Support Portal.

If you do not have access to any of these methods and have lost your recovery codes, unfortunately, our support team is unable to bypass two-factor authentication (2FA) for security reasons. However, you can unlink your email address here.

For Future Reference: Once you regain access, I highly recommend:

• Saving recovery codes in multiple secure locations
• Setting up multiple 2FA methods (authenticator app + Passkey + GitHub Mobile)
• Considering using a password manager that can store recovery codes

As no other Community Discussions team members will be able to provide additional help with account related questions I am going to close this discussion. We appreciate your understanding and patience while Support works through your request!

[prasannk65]

Hi @Ek4m ,

It looks like you’re stuck in a 2FA recovery loop and can’t access GitHub or submit a support request. Here’s the recommended approach:

Use GitHub’s 2FA Recovery Options

If you previously saved recovery codes, you can use one to log in: Recovery codes info

If you have access to your email, GitHub sometimes allows email-based recovery for lost 2FA devices.

Contact GitHub Support Without Logging In

Use the non-login support form: https://support.github.com/contact

Select “Account Recovery” → “I cannot access my account”

Include: username, email on account, and a detailed explanation of the problem (like you wrote above)

Explain CAPTCHA Issues

Mention that CAPTCHA fails with 403/401 when trying to submit the form; GitHub Support staff can bypass it manually.

Alternative Recovery Options

If you had SSH keys or authorized devices, check if you can use them to log in temporarily.

Important: Only GitHub Support can disable 2FA or assist in account recovery in this scenario. Be patient—they typically respond to non-login account recovery requests within a few days.

References:

Recover your account if you lose access to 2FA