Losing Gmail password causes problems

I have forgotten the Gmail password that I also used to sign in to my Barnes & Noble e-book account. Without the Gmail password, I can’t download any more books for my Nook e-reader. How can I find out what my Gmail password is or create a new one?

You will need new passwords for both the Gmail and Barnes & Noble websites, and you will need to obtain the Gmail password first.

Why? Because, once you ask Barnes & Noble for a new password, it will send your Gmail account an e-mail containing a “password reset link.” That link expires in 24 hours, so you must already be in control of your Gmail account to respond promptly.

To regain Gmail access, go to the Gmail login screen, type your address and click “next,” then click “forgot password.”

You will be asked to answer some security questions, or, if you have listed a phone number with Gmail, to provide it. Then a verification code will be sent to a different email account that you provide; click the link to confirm that you own that account.

Then, if Google is convinced that it’s your Gmail account, you will be given a new password to access it.

Once you have recovered your Gmail account, follow the Barnes & Noble password reset instructions. When you click “send a link to my email,” that starts the 24-hour period for the reset.