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

---
stage: Manage
group: Access
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
---

# How to unlock a locked user from the command line **(FREE SELF)**

After ten failed login attempts a user gets in a locked state.

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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