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Solved
PayPal 2FA will not match
The one time password codes generated for PayPal by 1Password will not match the expected code. This behavior started roughly 3 weeks ago. Attempting to login to PayPal would always fail at the one time password and require SMS verification.
I deleted the authenticator from my PayPal account and now cannot add it back as the generated one time password when the QR code is scanned or the code is added manually never matches and PayPal throws an error.
1Password 8.11.4. Multiple browsers and the PayPal app.
Hi eszetela,
Is this happening on multiple devices or just one? I ask because the principal reason a 2FA code doesn't work is that your computer's time is slightly off. 2FA codes are generated by your device using the current time, and they change about every thirty seconds. If your computer clock drifts/differs from the server, a wrong code will be generated. Another way to put it is when the clocks on your computer and the server differs, a mismatch in the 2FA codes occurs resulting in an inability to log in.
I would check and make sure the time is set correctly on your device. Does it automatically update itself? If not, try enabling automatic updating. I like to use https://time.is to check my device time. Nowadays, most all devices set their time automatically. However, hiccups still happen. I have had to toggle my "Set time automatically" settings from On > Off > On. Please don't overlook this step. It has helped more folks than you can imagine.
Also, giving your device a restart may help alleviate any transient issues.
Let me know if you're seeing the issue on multiple devices and the steps above don't resolve it and I'm happy to investigate further!
3 Replies
Simon,
That was the issue. My work laptop has issues synchronizing the time due to security and it had drifted more than a minute, making the one time passwords useless. I'm sure it was more than just PayPal. That one was just used often.
Thank you.
Ed
- 1P_SimonH
Community Manager
Hi eszetela,
Is this happening on multiple devices or just one? I ask because the principal reason a 2FA code doesn't work is that your computer's time is slightly off. 2FA codes are generated by your device using the current time, and they change about every thirty seconds. If your computer clock drifts/differs from the server, a wrong code will be generated. Another way to put it is when the clocks on your computer and the server differs, a mismatch in the 2FA codes occurs resulting in an inability to log in.
I would check and make sure the time is set correctly on your device. Does it automatically update itself? If not, try enabling automatic updating. I like to use https://time.is to check my device time. Nowadays, most all devices set their time automatically. However, hiccups still happen. I have had to toggle my "Set time automatically" settings from On > Off > On. Please don't overlook this step. It has helped more folks than you can imagine.
Also, giving your device a restart may help alleviate any transient issues.
Let me know if you're seeing the issue on multiple devices and the steps above don't resolve it and I'm happy to investigate further!
