After the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) introduced the Universal Account Number (UAN), accessing the various facilities has become much easier for EPF members. They can seamlessly initiate EPF withdrawals, readily apply for a loan against their EPF balance, or even add nomination details in a few simple steps.

Anyone registered under the EPF can log in to the Members Sewa portal by entering their UAN password. If someone has forgotten the password, there is a set procedure for recovering it. In this blog, we will discuss how to change the UAN password online. 

What is a UAN Password?

The UAN or Universal Account Number password is a vital credential required to access the services offered by the EPFO online. Members registered under the EPFO can create this password while activating their UAN. 

Once established, you can later change your UAN password through the member's portal. You can access your EPF account balance, withdraw accumulated funds, update KYC details, and much more, by maintaining a strong password.

UAN Password Format & Examples

When setting up your UAN password, you must keep the following factors in mind:

• The password must be at least 7 characters, and it should not exceed 20 characters. 
• Additionally, to strengthen your password, you must use at least one uppercase English letter, one lowercase letter, a special character, a minimum of two digits, and at least four more alphabets. 

Here are some UAN password examples which can give you some idea before you access the UAN forgot password option:

Bikram_321

Harish@1990

thaKur*89

Vaani888#

Shruti567@

Requirements for UAN Password Reset

Before doing a UAN password reset, you have to ensure that all the following prerequisites are being met:

• Active UAN: Your Universal Account Number (UAN) should be activated before you reset the EPFO UAN login password. Otherwise, you cannot access the respective EPF account.
• UAN Account Connected to Your Aadhaar Number: The system verifies your identity when you request a UAN password change link. For this purpose, your UAN must be linked to the Aadhaar number. 
• Registered Phone Number Has to be Linked to Aadhaar: An OTP is sent to the concerned EPFO member’s phone number at the time of the UAN password change.  Therefore, your mobile number should be linked with your Aadhaar card. 

How to Change UAN Password Online?

If you are confused about how to reset a UAN password online, make sure to follow these steps:

1. Go to the EPFO's official website.
2. Choose the option marked as ‘Forgot Password’. As soon as you click on this link, the EPF UAN password change procedure begins. 
3. Provide your unique UAN number and resolve the CAPTCHA puzzle as shown on your screen.
4. Submit the necessary details before submitting your request. You will also get the option to modify your phone number at this stage. If you opt for a new phone number, enter the new details to proceed.
5. Next, enter some personal information, such as your name, date of birth (DOB), gender, and so on.
6. After entering all the necessary details, go through them once and click ‘Verify’.
7. Enter the OTP sent to your mobile number.
8. Follow the UAN password format while setting up a new password. You will need to enter the new password twice before finally clicking on ‘Submit’. 

How to Change UAN Password After Logging in to the Portal?

At times, an EPFO member may not forget their UAN password. However, they may desire to change the old password due to security or other reasons. In those cases, they can perform a quick UAN password reset by following these instructions:

1. Log into Your UAN Account: Use your current EPFO UAN login password and username to log into the member's dashboard.
2. Select 'Account Settings': At the top of the home page you will see the option for 'Account Settings'
3. Enter the New Password: In the 'Account Settings' section, type in the previous password, followed by the new password. After that, click on 'Update' in order to approve the updates. 
4. Approve the Change: Click 'OK' to give the final approval. 

After completing the previous steps, there will be a confirmation that says 'Password updated successfully' that will appear on your screened device.

UAN Password Change Time

After you have changed the UAN password through the EPFO portal, the details are updated in the database immediately. Thus, you can access the various EPF facilities by entering the new credentials almost immediately or within a few hours. 

In case you are facing issues with delayed activation, it is highly recommended to get in touch with the EPFO helpline. Alternatively, you can visit the nearest EPF office to seek related assistance.  

Direct Link to Reset UAN Password

If you are looking for a direct link to execute UAN passbook password change, you have to follow these steps:

1. Visit the official EPFO website.
2. Click on ‘Reset Password’.
3. On a fresh page, enter your user ID, followed by the new password and also provide your UAN-linked phone number.
4. Provide the OTP sent to your mobile number. Click on Submit.

In this way, you can seamlessly change your UAN password online. 

Final Words

Changing your UAN password is not a challenging process. The only requirement is that your UAN is activated beforehand. After you have established the password, do not divulge it to anyone to avoid potential theft or usage from someone else.

In addition, you may want to use a well-known password manager application to safely store your UAN login password. This will help you in an emergency if your device security has been breached, or you lost your notes with your password written down.