Approximately 70% of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) employ pay-per-click (PPC) advertising. As numerous companies leverage platforms such as Google Ads for online promotion, it’s not unusual for users to encounter login difficulties. If you’re experiencing issues with your Google Ads login, this troubleshooting guide is tailored to assist you.Continue reading to discover how to resolve sign-in problems on Google Ads, including your own. Should login errors not be your sole concern with Google Ads, reach out to Google for support. Their dedicated team is ready to help steer your advertising campaigns back on course!Unable to access your Google Ads (formerly Google AdWords) account?Relax, as we outline some of the most prevalent issues preventing access to your Google Ads account, along with their solutions:This troubleshooting guide for Google Ads login errors will enable you to address each of these issues. The purpose of this guide is straightforward: to facilitate your team’s return to your Google Ads account. Below, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of each issue, from an inactive account to an unverified email.Select the heading that aligns with your problem, and follow the steps to rectify your specific login error.1. Problem: Forgotten username, email address, or passwordIn the event of forgetting your email address, username, or password, recovery is typically swift. For instance, you can initiate a password reset by responding to security questions created during account setup. When answering these questions, Google advises using a computer that has previously accessed the account.
To recover your email address, provide the phone number or full name linked to the account. Additional steps are required to verify ownership of the email address. Conversely, to retrieve your username, enter a recovery email address.Google will then send you an email listing usernames associated with the recovery email address, which can be used to regain account access.Solution: Request a replacement or reset using your designated recovery method.2. Problem: Deleted the Google account used for Google Ads loginAccidents do happen. Whether you or your company deleted the Google Account linked to your Google Ads management is irrelevant. What’s crucial is that your team initiates the account recovery process as promptly as possible.
Depending on the account deletion date, you can recover the account and all associated data. However, you will need to answer some security questions to confirm account ownership. If your team cannot recover the account through this process, contact a representative.Solution: Complete the account recovery steps or contact a Google Ads representative.3. Problem: Mismatched username and/or passwordEven with knowledge of your username and password, you may still encounter login errors when trying to access Google Ads. These are usually quick fixes, though some may necessitate delving deeper into this Google Ads login troubleshooting guide.When logging into Google Ads, it’s not uncommon to see messages such as:
User name and password do not match
Invalid email address
These messages often arise from user errors, such as capitalizing a letter in a password, adding an extra space, or omitting the “@” symbol in an email address. Before re-entering your password and email address, double-check your text formatting for accuracy. Additionally, if you use your account credentials for Google Ads to access other Google products, like Gmail, updating those credentials (and entering the old ones in Google Ads) can also trigger a password and/or username error.This is because your Google Account uses the same credentials for all Google products.Solution: Verify your email address and/or password for capitalization, extra spaces, and spelling.4. Problem: Valid username and password, yet invalidAn invalid username and password error can also arise due to an unverified email address. While this is a common Google Ads login issue, it’s easily resolved, allowing for quicker access to your Google Ads account. Check the inbox of the email associated with your Google Ads account for a verification email from Google Ads.This email should contain a link to verify your account. Once confirmed, log in to Google Ads. If you cannot locate a verification email, request a new one using the following steps:
Access Google Ads
Enter your email address and password
Request a verification email through the pop-up alert message
After submitting your request, check your inbox. If an email does not arrive, contact Google Ads.Solution: Request a verification email and confirm your email address.5. Problem: “Click Here to Continue” error messageAs Google Ads is a web-based application, your browser can affect its performance. Occasionally, when you cannot sign into your Google Ads account, the issue lies not with your credentials but with your browser. The “Click Here to Continue” error occurs predominantly with Internet Explorer.For the quickest and most reliable fix, Google recommends downloading and using an alternative browser, such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. However, you can update your Internet Explorer settings to try and resolve this Google Ads error.
Add https://ads.google.com/ as an allowed and trusted site via the Tools menu
Update your browser’s security settings to “Medium” in the Tools menu
Enable “Navigate sub-frames across different domains” in the Tools menu
Alternatively, you can temporarily fix the issue by opening the “Click Here to Continue” link in a new window. Right-click the text and select “Open in New Window.”Solution: Update your Internet Explorer settings or use a different browser.6. Problem: Invalid Google Ads account linked to my Google accountCompanies that began using Google Ads during its Google AdWords era often encounter this login error. This is due to the unavailability of a master Google Account (which can access the entire Google Marketing Platform and other Google products) before. However, your team can resolve this login issue promptly.Simply log into Google Ads using your previous credentials—not your Google Account. Then, accept the request to update your Google Ads login information. During this process, ensure you select the following options:
“Yes, I have a Google Account”
“Yes, Replace my Google Ads login with my existing Google Account”
Once you have updated your information, proceed to log into Google Ads using your Google Account.Solution: Link your Google Ads account with your Google Account.7. Problem: Unable to log in after migrating Google Ads dataCompanies may also encounter login issues following a data migration. When you migrate your Google Ads data, it is transferred to a personal Google Account or an organizational Google Account. The selected account becomes the new account for accessing Google Ads, meaning you must use that account’s credentials to log in.Solution: Log in with the credentials of the account that accepted the migrated data.8. Problem: “We are unable to process your request at this time” error messageWhile the aforementioned Google Ads login error may seem like a Google Ads issue, your browser or internet connection can also be the culprit. This error can occur regardless of whether you use Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, or Internet Explorer. Here are several ways to fix this Google Ads login issue:
Enable first- and third-party cookies
Clear your cache and cookies
Enable JavaScript
Disable internet security programs like Norton Internet Security or Zone Alarm
Beyond browser settings, you can also attempt to access Google Ads from a different computer. If you can log into Google Ads from an alternate device, it often indicates a problem with your computer, network, or browser. If this occurs, contact your company’s IT team.Solution: Check your browser settings and try to access the site from a different device.9. Problem: Google Ads account has been disabledWhen attempting to log into your Google Ads account and receiving the message “Sorry, your account has been disabled,” your company will need to contact a Google Ads representative to discuss reenabling your account. Google disables advertising accounts when they violate its:
Google Terms of Service
Product-Specific Terms of Service
Keep in mind that unless your account was disabled in error, it’s unlikely Google will reactivate it.Solution: Contact a Google Ads representative.10. Problem: Error message with random letters or charactersSometimes, difficulties signing into your Google Ads account are due to another browser-setting error. This error, caused by your browser’s selected language, results in Google Ads generating an unreadable message of random characters or letters. You can fix this by updating your browser settings to Unicode UTF-8:
Mozilla Firefox: Open the View menu, select Character Encoding, and choose Unicode (UTF-8).
Internet Explorer: Open a window, right-click the page, and select Encoding and Unicode (UTF-8).
This login issue in Google Ads usually occurs in Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer.Solution: Update your browser settings to Unicode UTF-8.11. Problem: Account manager left the companyA common Google Ads login issue arises when the person managing your online advertisements departs. This is why using a dedicated company email, rather than an employee-specific one, for managing your Google Ads account is advisable. If you cannot access the former team member’s Google Ads credentials, complete and submit a lost account form.Your company will also need to provide your Google Ads ID or most recent payment information.Solution: Complete a lost account form.Should you continue to face challenges signing into Google Ads, contact Google’s team for immediate support!
