Getting locked out of a new account is a classic "first day" hurdle, but it’s usually down to a tiny character or a stray click. If you're seeing an "invalid email address" or “password incorrect” error or feeling stuck at the gate, let’s get those digital gears turning.
Follow these specific steps to get your UCT Online High School Google Account up and running.
Start Fresh with a New Chrome Profile
To avoid conflicts with personal Gmail accounts, it is essential to use Google Chrome and create a dedicated space for schoolwork.
Open Google Chrome.
Select + Add profile
When prompted to sign in, use the details provided in the email.
Note: Do not click "Create Account." We have already created the account for you.
Need help adding a Google Chrome Profile? Check out this article here.
Mind the "Zeros"
The UCT OHS email format often includes a string of numbers, for example, 001. It is incredibly easy to mistake a number for a letter.
The three numbers before the @ sign are a zero (0), not the letter "O."
Tip: Ensure there are no accidental spaces at the beginning or end of the email address if you are copying and pasting.
Precision is Key: The Temporary Password
Your temporary password is a unique string of characters that is highly sensitive to change.
Case Sensitivity: "A" is not the same as "a." Ensure your Caps Lock is off and you are entering symbols exactly as shown.
Pro-Tip: The easiest way to avoid errors is to Copy & Paste the password directly from the email. Just be careful not to highlight an extra space at the beginning or the end!
What if the Password Reset doesn't pop up?
Usually, Google will automatically prompt you to create a permanent password the moment you log in with the temporary one. If that doesn't happen, don't panic.
How to manually trigger a reset:
Once logged in, go to myaccount.google.com.
On the left-hand sidebar, click on Security.
Scroll down to the "How you sign in to Google" section and click on Password.
You will be asked to verify it's you (enter the temporary password one last time), and then you can set your new, permanent password.