gitlab-org--gitlab-foss/doc/security/unlock_user.md

---
stage: Manage
group: Authentication & Authorization
info: To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments
type: howto
---

# Locked users **(FREE SELF)**

Users are locked after ten failed sign-in attempts. These users remain locked:

- For 10 minutes, after which time they are automatically unlocked.
- Until an admin unlocks them from the [Admin Area](../user/admin_area/index.md) or the command line in under 10 minutes.

## Unlock a user from the Admin Area

1. On the top bar, select **Menu > Admin**.
1. On the left sidebar, select **Overview > Users**.
1. Use the search bar to find the locked user.
1. From the **User administration** dropdown select **Unlock**.

![Unlock a user from the Admin Area](img/unlock_user_v14_7.png)

## Unlock a user from the command line

To unlock a locked user:

1. SSH into your GitLab server.
1. Start a Ruby on Rails console:

   ```shell
   ## For Omnibus GitLab
   sudo gitlab-rails console -e production

   ## For installations from source
   sudo -u git -H bundle exec rails console -e production
   ```

1. Find the user to unlock. You can search by email or ID.

   ```ruby
   user = User.find_by(email: 'admin@local.host')
   ```

   or

   ```ruby
   user = User.where(id: 1).first
   ```

1. Unlock the user:

   ```ruby
   user.unlock_access!
   ```

1. Exit the console with <kbd>Control</kbd>+<kbd>d</kbd>

The user should now be able to log in.

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