Top 5 Common IRCTC Login Issues and How to Fix Them

The IRCTC website (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) is one of the busiest websites in India, and millions of train ticket bookings are made daily by users from all over the country. First of all, you need to log in to your IRCTC account, whether reserving a seat or checking the PNR status. Login-related issues frequently torment users and turn irritating – especially during Tatkal bookings when every second matters. Thus, here is a fast guide on the top 5 common issues of IRCTC login and solutions on how you can very easily resolve them.

5 Common IRCTC Login Issues:

1. Unrecognized username or password

This has been the central cause of login failure for the majority of IRCTC users. If by any chance you have lost your details, click on the “forgot username/password” option found on the login screen, and it should reinitialize them for you. Be sure to use the very same registered mobile number or email that you have updated with the portal to receive your credentials. Also, do not paste the password as it might add an extra space.

2. Account locked after incorrect attempts

After repeated input of wrong login details, your IRCTC account gets locked. From then on, you must wait at least for 5 to 10 minutes before trying it again. Alternatively, you may use the option of resetting your password through “forgot your password” to regain access instantly.

3. Session timeout error

Unfortunately, frequently after making the login credential entry, one finds himself redirected back to the login page. This occurs either due to session timeout or due to network issues. Clear the cache and cookies of your browser or try using a different browser such as Chrome or Firefox. Also, ensure steady internet connection before logging in.

4. Captcha failing to load

When the captcha image does not load, then it follows that IRCTC is denying a login. This can be due to either slow internet connection or a specific setting in your browser. Either refresh the page or visit another browser. Also, try to disable any ad-blockers or VPNs blocking captcha scripts.

5. Temporarily Disabled Login for Maintenance

Scheduled maintenance on the IRCTC site takes place at night; usually between around 11.30 pm and 12.30 am. If you are not able to log in during that time, then it is best just to wait and try again later. To know the latest, visit the home page of IRCTC or follow their Twitter handle.

ALSO READ: IRCTC Update 2025: Why Did IRCTC Deactivate 3 Crore Users?