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Connection stops at "Checking password"

This error usually appears at the point where your connection is authenticating your screen name and password. Problems can occur here if you have entered an incorrect password several times or if there is a firewall or other software blocking your connection.

In order to fix this problem, please work through the following steps:

Clear your AOL modem setup

AOL 9.0: Run the 'I cannot get connected to the AOL service' Auto Fix

Note: Make sure any external modem is connected and on and that AOL is offline.

1. Close open programs, sign off AOL.
2. When offline, click Help on the AOL menu bar (at the top of your screen), then click AOL Help.
3. Click the + beside Resolving Problems, and then click Solving common AOL problems.
4. Click I cannot get connected to the AOL service.
5. Close all programs (including AOL) and click Continue.
6. Follow all on-screen instructions.

AOL 9.0 VR: Reset all locations

1. Close the AOL software.
2. Right-click the AOL icon in your Windows system tray (at the bottom right-hand corner of your screen, next to your PC's clock).
3. Select System Information, then click Connectivity in the left-hand column.
4. Click Reset Locations.
5. Click Yes, reset to confirm, then click OK.
6. Close the System Information window and restart your PC.
7. Start AOL and click Sign On to try to connect again.

AOL 8.0 and below: Clear your modem setup

1. Start the AOL software.
2. On the AOL Sign On Screen, click Setup and then click Expert Setup.
3. Click on the Devices tab, choose your modem from the list and click Delete.
4. Exit the AOL software and restart it again. AOL will attempt to auto-detect your modem.
5. Then try to connect to AOL again.

Disable sounds in AOL Preferences

1. AOL 9.0: Click Settings on the AOL toolbar, then click the By Category tab and then click Multimedia.

AOL 9.0 VR: Click Settings on the AOL toolbar, and then select Multimedia.

AOL 8.0 and below: Click Settings on the AOL toolbar, and then select Preferences from the drop-down list.

2. Untick the box for Enable AOL Sounds and click Save.

Repair the AOL Connectivity Service

Select your operating system for step-by-step instructions on how to repair the AOL Connectivity Service (ACS). Once the ACS has been repaired, follow the steps below to set up a new broadband location.

Windows 7
Windows Vista
All other versions of Windows

Set up a new broadband location

After ACS has been repaired, you will need to set up a new location in the AOL software to connect to the internet.

To set up a new broadband location, take the following steps:

1. Open the AOL software.
2. On the sign-on screen, click Connect Options.
3. Select Create Dial-Up Location and then click Broadband/Other ISP.
4. Click Next and wait while the AOL software detects the connection.
5. Click Sign On to connect to the internet.

Close all other software while starting AOL

Sometimes other programs or processes may interfere with the AOL software. Try shutting down all running programs in the task list, and reconnecting to the internet. This process is very repetitive. Do not restart the computer during the process or else you will have to start from scratch.

1. Hold down the Ctrl and Alt keys on the keyboard, and then press the Delete key.
Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7: Click Task Manager and click the Applications tab.
2. From that list of programs, it is only necessary to keep running Explorer, Systray and RunDll, if they appear.
3. Highlight the first program in the list that isn't any of the necessary items above and click End Task. This will return you to the desktop.
4. Another window may appear, saying 'This program is not responding', click End Task.
5. Repeat the same steps to close the programs until only Explorer and Systray (and RunDll if present) remain in the list. Remember to leave your anti virus and firewall software running also.

Note: If you are unsure what applications are required by your computer, please contact your computer manufacturer.

Run AOL Quick Restore

This will reset the AOL software to its original state. It's faster than uninstalling and reinstalling the AOL software.

Run a Quick Restore via the One-Click Fixes

Note: This step is for AOL 9.0 and 9.0 VR users only.

Windows 7 - Run AOL System Information in compatibility mode

1. Click the Start globe and select All Programs.
2. Right-click AOL System Information and select Properties.
3. Select the Compatibility tab.
4. Tick the box labelled Run this program in compatibility mode for.
5. Select Windows XP (Service Pack 3) from the drop-down list.
6. Click OK.

If you have One-Click Fixes installed on your computer, you can use the link below to run a quick restore. Otherwise, follow the steps below to manually run the quick restore:

Use the One-Click Fix to run a Quick Restore*

Run a Quick Restore manually

1. Right-click the AOL icon in your Windows system tray (at the bottom right-hand corner of your screen, next to the clock).
2. Select System Information.
3. Click Utilities or AOL software.
4. Select Quick Restore and click Proceed or OK.
5. Click OK when prompted.

*To use this fix, you'll need to first download the One-Click Fixes. To run the fix you must be using the AOL software or Internet Explorer. One-Click Fixes are unavailable for Windows Vista and Macintosh users.

Delete and reinstall the AOL software

If you are experiencing problems with the AOL software (for example, persistent error messages), the software may have become corrupt. To fix this, you can uninstall the AOL software, and then reinstall a fresh copy.

Uninstall the AOL software

To uninstall the AOL software, take the following steps:

1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
2. Select Classic View from the panel on the left.
3. Double-click Add/Remove Programs or Programs and Features.
4. In the installed programs list, click AOL Uninstaller and then click Uninstall/Change at the top.
5. Click Search for Other Versions of AOL.
6. Wait while the uninstaller searches for versions of AOL on the computer.
7. Select the versions of the AOL software to be removed and click Uninstall.
8. Click Yes to confirm.
9. When AOL has been uninstalled, click Restart.

Download and install the AOL software

To reinstall the AOL software, take the following steps:

1. Open Internet Explorer and go to http://www.aol.co.uk/downloads.
2. Under AOL Members, click Get It Now.
3. Enter your screen name and password and click Sign In.
4. Beside AOL for Windows Users, click Download.
5. Click Run and then click Run again. The software will then download and the installation will commence.
6. Close any open applications and click OK.
7. Click I Agree at the licence agreement and then select Current Members.
8. Select Adding your existing AOL account to this computer and click Next.
9. Click Next again to select the default installation directory.
10. Allow the install to complete and restart the computer when prompted.
11. Once the computer has restarted, click Start and select Run.
12. Windows Vista users: Type "C:\Program Files\Common Files\aol\ACS\AOLacsd.exe -cpwmigrate" (including the quotes) and click OK.
Type the above command into the Search box and press Enter on the keyboard.

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Further Assistance

If you are having trouble finding the answer to your query, contact Member Services.