Problem

"I can't log in to my Cal Poly account." or "I need to reset my passphrase/password."

Solutions

View the instructions below for assistance with your Cal Poly account passphrase/password, based on your situation.

Students

New Student Applicant?
Please visit Applicant First Time Account Activation.

Participating in Other Programs?
Please use the Self-Service Account Activation

If you are unable to activate your account, please call the ITS Service Desk at 805-756-7000, Monday-Friday, 8 am - 5 pm. Otherwise, submit a General Help request with your Cal Poly username and a good time to reach you.

Staff, Faculty, and Guests

If you are a new Cal Poly staff, faculty, or guest and have never logged in to your account, you will need a temporary password:

Call the ITS Service Desk at 805-756-7000 Monday-Friday, 8 am - 5 pm. If you are unable to call, please submit a General Help request with your Cal Poly username and a good time to reach you.

After logging in with your temporary password, don’t forget to reset your passphrase/password.

If you can't log in to your Cal Poly account or your password is not working, your account may be locked. Accounts temporarily lock after four (4) incorrect password attempts. Accounts automatically unlock after 33 minutes. If you need help, contact the ITS Service Desk Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 805-756-7000.

After you reset your password, don’t forget to update your old password anywhere it may be saved to prevent a temporary lock on your Cal Poly account, including:

All devices including desktops, laptops, and mobile devices (phones, tablets, etc.).
If you have a Cal Poly-owned Mac computer, learn how to re-sync Mac password.
Email programs
Wi-Fi settings
Password managers
Web browsers

Before you reset your passphrase/password, please do the following to limit disruptions to Cal Poly resources:

Give yourself at least one hour to update your new passphrase/password on all your devices.
Gather all your devices (phones, tablets, computers).
Make sure your Duo Multifactor-enabled device is turned on and available.
Forget the eduroam WiFi network on your Mac computer, iPhone, Windows PC (General Troubleshooting/Step #3), or Android.
Turn off the rest of your devices except for your primary computer.

Choose the situation that best matches your reset needs…

I Forgot My passphrase/password…

If you have forgotten your passphrase/password:

Go to https://myportal.calpoly.edu/p/AccountActivationRecoveryPortlet
Enter your Cal Poly email address and click Go.
Answer the three security questions. Click the Next button.
Enter your new passphrase/password, then retype the new passphrase/password for verification. Click the Next button.
Either set new security questions and answers OR check the Keep my previous answers box. Click the Next button.
Register your cell phone # for PolyAlert or check the Opt Out button, if you don't want to receive campus emergency notifications. Click the Next button.
Check the boxes to agree to the Responsible Use Policy and the Confidentiality-Security Agreement. Click the Agree button.
Click the Finish button.

If you have a state-issued PC, log in to the VPN and stay connected for at least 2 hours to sync your new passphrase/password to your computer.

I Know My Current passphrase/password and it is Not Expired…

If you know your current Cal Poly passphrase/password and it has not expired:

Log in to the My Cal Poly Portal.
Go to the Personal Info tab > Cal Poly password > click the Change password button.
Enter your old or temporary passphrase/password - the passphrase/password used to log into the My Cal Poly portal.
Enter your new passphrase/password, then retype the new passphrase/password for verification. Click the Next button.
Answer the three security questions. Click the Next button.
Register your cell phone # for PolyAlert or check the Opt Out button, if you don't want to receive campus emergency notifications. Click the Next button.
Check the boxes to agree to the Responsible Use Policy and the Confidentiality-Security Agreement. Click the Agree button.
Click the Finish button.

If you have a state-issued PC, log in to the VPN and stay connected for at least 2 hours to sync your new passphrase/password to your computer.

Solano Campus Passphrase/Password Set/Change

Visit: password.csum.edu

Enter Your Username: Full email address (dsmithxx@csum.edu)

Enter a Password: [Your Network Password]

This password tool can be used to set your password or to unlock your account.

For assistance with account-related problems, please contact the Help Desk.

After you reset your passphrase/password, don’t forget to update your old passphrase/password anywhere it may be saved to prevent a temporary lock on your Cal Poly account, including:

All devices including desktops, laptops, and mobile devices (phones, tablets, etc.).
If you have a Cal Poly-owned Mac computer, learn how to re-sync Mac passphrase/password.
Email programs
Wi-Fi settings
passphrase/password managers
Web browsers

If you can't log in to your Cal Poly account or your passphrase/password is not working, your account may be locked, and will automatically unlock after 33 minutes. If you need help, contact the ITS Service Desk Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 805-756-7000.

If your passphrase/password has expired or you are unable to reset your passphrase/password:

Call the ITS Service Desk Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 805-756-7000 for an assisted passphrase/password change.
The ITS Service Desk will provide you with a temporary passphrase/password that expires in three (3) days from the time it is issued.
Please follow the above Change or reset known passphrase/password instructions to complete your passphrase/password reset.