How to Fix the Issue of Not Being Able to View Your GitHub Account on Other Devices

As a GitHub user, I recently encountered a frustrating issue: my account worked perfectly on one device, but I couldn’t access it on others. After spending some time troubleshooting, I was able to resolve the issue. Since I know this is a problem many developers and users face, I’m sharing the solution in this post.

I rely heavily on GitHub, especially for projects like Forex Rates API, where seamless access across multiple devices is crucial. If you’re struggling with not being able to view or access your GitHub account on certain devices, follow this guide to troubleshoot and fix the issue.

Step 1: Verify Your Internet Connection

Before diving into more complex solutions, start by checking your internet connection. A poor or intermittent connection can prevent your GitHub account from loading properly on different devices.

Solution:

• Ensure that the device you're using has a stable internet connection.
• If you're on a corporate or restricted network, make sure GitHub isn't being blocked.

Step 2: Confirm You're Logged In Correctly

You might be logged into GitHub on one device, but if you’re not logged in correctly on others, the issue will persist. Make sure you’re using the right credentials and that authentication is complete.

Solution:

• Double-check that you’re using the correct username and password on the devices you’re having trouble with.
• If you’ve forgotten your credentials, use the “Forgot Password” link on GitHub’s login page to reset your password.

Step 3: Clear Your Browser’s Cache and Cookies

Browsers store data like cookies and cache to speed up load times, but corrupted or outdated cache files can cause display or login issues on GitHub.

Solution:

Clear the cache and cookies in the browser you’re using on the device having issues. Here's how:

• On Google Chrome:

  1. Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner.
  2. Go to “More tools” > “Clear browsing data.”
  3. Select "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files."
  4. Click “Clear data.”

• On Firefox:

  1. Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the upper-right corner.
  2. Go to "Settings" > "Privacy & Security."
  3. Scroll down to "Cookies and Site Data" and click “Clear Data.”

Once you’ve cleared your browser's cache, restart the browser and log in to GitHub again.

Step 4: Check if Your GitHub Account is Restricted

Sometimes, GitHub may restrict or suspend your account due to suspicious activity, which can prevent you from accessing it on certain devices.

Solution:

• Check your email inbox for any notifications from GitHub about account restrictions.
• Review GitHub’s status page to see if there are any ongoing platform-wide issues.
• Visit your GitHub account settings to make sure everything is in order.

If your account has been flagged or restricted, follow the instructions in the notification to resolve the issue.

Step 5: Investigate Device-Specific Issues

If your account works fine on one device but not on others, the problem could be device-specific. Different devices may have different settings or security software that interfere with GitHub.

Solution:

• Try a Different Browser: Some browsers may block certain web elements or cookies needed by GitHub. If possible, try accessing your account from a different browser on the problem device.
• Use Incognito Mode: Open an incognito or private browsing window to bypass extensions and cached data that might be interfering with the page.
• Check Firewall/Antivirus Settings: Ensure that your firewall or antivirus software isn’t blocking GitHub. Sometimes security tools can mistakenly flag legitimate sites like GitHub as threats.

Step 6: Check for IP or Geo-Location Restrictions

GitHub might block access to accounts based on your geographical location or IP address. This is particularly common if you’re using a VPN or logging in from an unfamiliar location.

Solution:

• If you’re using a VPN, try disabling it and logging in again from your regular IP address.
• If you’re traveling, make sure GitHub is not blocking access due to your current location. Try logging in from a different device or network to test.

Step 7: Reinstall GitHub Desktop (if applicable)

If you use GitHub Desktop and encounter issues with your account visibility, there might be a problem with the application itself. Reinstalling it can often resolve issues.

Solution:

1. Uninstall GitHub Desktop from your device.
2. Download the latest version from the GitHub Desktop website.
3. Reinstall and log in again with your credentials.

Step 8: Try Accessing GitHub on Other Devices

After troubleshooting the above steps, try accessing your GitHub account from a different device like your phone, tablet, or a colleague's computer. This will help determine if the issue is specific to the device you're currently using.

Solution:

If you can access your account on some devices but not others, it's likely an issue with the specific device or browser, not GitHub itself.

Conclusion

In most cases, the problem of not being able to view your GitHub account on other devices can be resolved by following these steps. Whether it’s a simple issue like an unstable internet connection or a more complex problem like account restrictions, you can usually fix the issue by troubleshooting these common solutions.

If you’ve tried everything and still can’t access your account, consider reaching out to GitHub support for further assistance.