DigiLocker Not Working? Login, OTP and Document Fetch Fixes

DigiLocker is the government's digital document wallet. People use it to keep and share documents such as ID, marksheets and licenses in electronic form. When it fails, usually at the worst time (a job form, a bank KYC, an admission), the error is often vague: "something went wrong", an OTP that never arrives, or a document list that stays empty.

DigiLocker is operated by the Government of India. SiteDownCheck is not affiliated with DigiLocker, MeitY or any issuer. Details such as supported documents and login methods change, so confirm against the official website and app.

Understand why DigiLocker has more failure points than a normal site

When you "fetch" a document, DigiLocker does not hold the original. It asks the issuer (a board, a university, a transport department, the income tax department and so on) for it, using the details you provide. So a failure can happen at three levels:

1. DigiLocker itself, which includes its login, mobile app, and website.
2. The login and verification layer, such as OTP via SMS or Aadhaar-linked verification.
3. The issuer's system, which may be slow, in maintenance or not connected for that document type.

This is why one document may fetch fine while another fails. It is also why "DigiLocker is down" is often only half true. Narrow it down.

Step 1: Test the basics from outside

Type the official DigiLocker address yourself and see if it loads. Then:

• Try the same page on mobile data and on Wi-Fi.
• Open a different official site to be sure your internet is fine.
• Check our DigiLocker status page, which shows whether the domain currently responds, and Down From Where to test from several locations.

An error such as 502, 503 or 504 means the service or its gateway is overloaded or unavailable. See fix 503 Service Unavailable और fix 504 Gateway Timeout for what these codes mean. These are not fixable from your side; retry later.

Step 2: Login problems

Wrong or missing OTP

Login typically uses your mobile number or Aadhaar number with an OTP. If the OTP does not arrive:

• Make sure the number you entered is the one registered in the account. If you changed numbers, you may need to follow the official recovery or update path.
• Check signal and look in SMS spam or filtered folders.
• Wait for the OTP validity period shown rather than requesting repeatedly. Frequent requests can trigger temporary limits (rate limiting).
• Try the official app if the website fails, or the website if the app fails.

If you used Aadhaar for sign-up, OTP is sent to the mobile number registered with Aadhaar, not necessarily the one you use daily. See Aadhaar / UIDAI portal not working for those issues.

"Session expired" or sign-in loops

Cookies and old sessions cause these. Try a private window, allow cookies for the site, and turn off VPNs or privacy extensions for this session. Check the date and time on your device. A wrong clock can break secure sessions.

Security PIN problems

DigiLocker uses a security PIN in some flows. If you forget it, use the official reset option and avoid entering it on any page not under the official domain. Never tell it to anyone, including someone from "support".

Step 3: App problems

If the Android or iOS app crashes or hangs:

1. Update to the latest version from the store listing linked from the official website.
2. Restart the phone and check storage space.
3. Clear the app cache (Android: Settings, Apps, DigiLocker, Storage, Clear cache). Do this before clearing data, because clearing data logs you out.
4. Check that app permissions such as storage are allowed if you are uploading files.
5. Try the website on the same phone to see whether the account itself works.

If you must reinstall, make sure you remember your login method first.

Step 4: Document fetch problems

When login works but a document will not show:

• Re-check the details. Roll numbers, years, board names or license numbers need to match the issuer's record exactly. One wrong digit looks like a missing record.
• Wait and retry. Issuer systems may be slow; try again later, ideally off-peak.
• Look at the document type. Not every issuer or every year is available. The list of issued documents and available categories is on the official site.
• Use "Issued Documents" versus "Uploaded Documents" correctly. Documents you upload yourself are stored for convenience, while issued ones come from the issuer. They are treated differently by the services that accept them.
• Check the file you upload. Large files or unsupported types fail. Compress images and use common formats such as PDF, JPG or PNG; confirm limits on the official page.

If the issuer has not published your record, DigiLocker cannot produce it. In that case, contact the issuing authority through its official channels.

Step 5: When another service asks for DigiLocker

Many services let you "share from DigiLocker" through a consent screen. If that flow breaks:

• Complete the DigiLocker login in the same browser window you started in; popups blocked by the browser can break the return.
• Allow popups and redirects for that site temporarily.
• If you stay stuck on a redirect screen, close it and retry from the beginning rather than refreshing mid-way.
• Keep your application reference number so you do not start a second application.
• If the service offers another upload route, use it as a fallback, and ask them whether it is acceptable.

If you run a service that integrates DigiLocker, see the tips below.

Step 6: DNS, certificate and network issues

If DigiLocker fails only on your home broadband:

• Try changing DNS (see change DNS on Indian ISPs and routers).
• Run the DNS चेकर to see whether the domain resolves consistently.
• Check the certificate with the SSL Checker. If it's valid outside but your browser warns, a device clock, antivirus or router problem is likely; see SSL/TLS certificate errors explained.
• Run a website speed test to see whether the page is simply slow rather than unreachable.

Safety: DigiLocker scams and shortcuts

• Download only from official app stores via the official website's links.
• Never share OTPs, your security PIN or Aadhaar details with a "helper".
• Do not pay agents who promise to "unlock" or "fix" your account; legitimate access is free of such middlemen.
• Beware of messages saying "your DigiLocker will be blocked, click here". Open the site yourself instead.
• Do not upload sensitive documents to unofficial websites claiming to be DigiLocker. Check the address bar for the official .gov.in domain.

For developers and businesses integrating DigiLocker

If your site or app asks users to share documents through DigiLocker:

• Treat the integration as an external dependency that will sometimes be slow or down. Set sensible timeouts and show a clear retry message.
• Provide an alternative path (manual upload with verification) where policy allows.
• Log the request ID and timestamp of failed attempts so you can raise issues with the provider.
• Monitor your callback and return URLs with an uptime monitor and watch API health as described in how to monitor API endpoints.

Short checklist

1. Does the official site open on another network?
2. If no, wait and retry off-peak; check official channels for notices.
3. If yes, fix browser, clock, cookies and VPN.
4. For OTP problems, confirm the registered number and wait between attempts.
5. For missing documents, verify details and the issuer's availability.
6. Keep any reference numbers and never pay for "fixes".

अगले कदम

• Check DigiLocker status
• Why government websites slow down at deadlines
• Aadhaar / UIDAI portal not working
• Website down for everyone or just me?
• Fix 503 Service Unavailable

सामान्य प्रश्न

Is DigiLocker down or is it my phone?

Test the website on another network and check an independent status tool. If both the site and the app fail for everyone, it is likely a service problem. If only your device fails, check the app version, clock and storage.

Why can I log in but not see my documents?

Issued documents come from the issuing authority. If their system is slow, the document is not linked, or your details do not match, the list may be empty even if DigiLocker is working.

Do I need to pay anyone to fix DigiLocker?

No. Official access is through the official site and app. Anyone asking for payment or your OTP to fix it is a scam risk.

Is a document in DigiLocker valid everywhere?

Acceptance depends on the rules of the organization asking for it and on applicable law. Check with that organization for what they accept.

यह पेज सामान्य जानकारी है, जिसे हमारी संपादकीय टीम ने लिखा है और दस्तावेज़ीकरण बदलने पर अपडेट किया जाता है। सर्वर और प्रदाता अलग-अलग होते हैं, इसलिए बदलाव पहले सुरक्षित तरीके से जाँचें। देखें: संपादकीय नीति और अस्वीकरण.