Error Message: Invalid User ID or Password

ID: Q197301

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.0, 3.01, 3.02, 4.0, 4.01, 5 for Windows 95
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.0, 3.01, 3.02, 4.0, 4.01, 5 for Windows NT 4.0
Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5 for Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 98

SYMPTOMS

When you try to connect to your Internet Service Provider (ISP), you may receive the following error message:

   Invalid User ID or Password

CAUSE

This issue can occur if you are having problems with your ISP account authentication. Your account authentication may not work correctly due to either or both of the following reasons:

Your user name is not being recognized.
Your password is not being recognized as a valid password.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, try the following steps one at a time, testing to determine if the issue is resolved after each step, and if the issue is not resolved, continue to the next step:

1. Verify that the CAPS LOCK key on your keyboard is not altering the case

   of your password. Most passwords are case sensitive.

2. Verify that your Dial-Up Networking connection does not contain

   incorrect logon information. To do so, use the following steps:

   a. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then
      click Dial-Up Networking.

   b. Double-click the connection to your ISP, and then verify that your
      user name and password are correct.

   c. Close the Dial-Up Networking folder.

3. Try to establish the connection manually by using the "Bring up

   terminal window after dialing" feature. To do so, use the following
   steps:

   a. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click
      Dial-Up Networking.

   b. Right-click the connection to your ISP, click Properties, click
      Configure, and then click the Options tab.

   c. Click the "Bring up terminal window after dialing" check box to
      select it, click OK, and then click OK.

   d. Try to connect to your ISP, and enter your user name and password
      when you are prompted to do so.

4. Contact your ISP and verify that they have not disabled your account,

   changed your password, or are having problems with their account
   authentication process.

Additional query words: 3.00 4.00

Keywords          : kbenv kberrmsg kbtool msiew95 win98 msiew98 
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,3.01,3.02,4.0,4.01,4.01 Service Pack 1,5
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: March 19, 1999