Linode Verification Code Not Received? 7 Fixes That Work

Linode code not arriving? Check the country code, request once, and wait before retrying. 7 fixes for Linode (Akamai) phone verification.

Linode, now part of Akamai Cloud, can ask new accounts to verify a phone number by text, and lets you add a verified number to your profile for account security. If the code does not come, it is usually the number format, a filter, or a retry limit.

Check these first (30 seconds)

• Country code. Select the country and enter the local number.
• A mobile number. Use a number that receives texts from international senders.
• Spam and filtered texts. Check spam or "unknown senders".
• The wait. Give it a minute before requesting again.

What Linode's message means

7 fixes, in order

1. Re-check the number. Country, then the number without a leading 0.
2. Request one new code. Use only the newest.
3. Allow international texts. Ask your carrier if they are blocked.
4. Turn off VPN and ad blockers. They can break the verification step.
5. Wait out a limit. After several tries, wait a few hours.
6. Use another mobile number. If yours is refused.
7. Open a support ticket. Linode Support can help if verification keeps failing.

Phone verification and account security

A verified number on your profile can be used to help you get back into your account. Two-factor login uses an authenticator app; keep its scratch code safe.

New cloud accounts are sometimes reviewed by hand. That is separate from the phone code.

When your own number just won't work

If texts from Linode never reach your number, another mobile number can receive the code.

In that case a non-VoIP number is the practical fix. These are real mobile-carrier numbers, which is what Linode expects. On SMS Pin Verify you can pick a USA number for Linode and the code appears on screen in your account:

• One-time number: held for you for 15 minutes to receive one code. If no code arrives, you are not charged. Good for a single sign-up.
• Rental number: the same number for several days or longer. Pick a rental if the number stays on your profile, because it is used for account security.

Two honest limits: a code is never guaranteed, because Linode decides whether to send it; and a number may have been used on Linode before you, so start a fresh account rather than trying to recover an old one.

Keep your account after you get in

• Turn on two-factor authentication with an authenticator app.
• Save the scratch code in a safe place.
• Keep your email current for billing and support.
• Use API tokens with limited scope. Do not share your login.

FAQ

Why is Linode not sending me a code?

International SMS may be blocked or the number may be refused.

Is Linode the same as Akamai Cloud?

Yes, Linode is now part of Akamai Cloud.

Do I need a phone number for Linode?

New accounts may be asked to verify one.

Do virtual numbers work for Linode?

Non-VoIP mobile numbers usually do.

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