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Website technical support and online account access

12 minute read
  •  
December 12, 2024

Which browsers and operating systems work best with our website?

Keeping your browser updated is more important than which browser you choose. It can improve the speed of your device and provide more online capabilities—giving you a better overall experience.

Outdated browsers can have serious security flaws that can leave your device vulnerable to a cyber attack. For example, Microsoft no longer supports Internet Explorer. Using an unsupported browser can leave you exposed to malicious websites that may read or damage your files, steal your passwords, or infect your device with viruses.

Currently, our site is optimized for the following operating systems and web browsers:

Desktop Browser Windows 10 and higher Mac OS® X 10.15 and higher
Google Chrome™
 Last 2 Major Versions Last 2 Major Versions
Apple® Safari® Not supported 14.x and higher
Microsoft Internet Explorer
 Not supported Not supported
Mozilla Firefox
 Last 2 Major Versions Last 2 Major Versions
Microsoft Edge Last 2 Major Versions Not supported

Frequently asked questions

If you don't remember your username, you can retrieve your username. 

If you need to change your username, call us at 877-662-7447 to re-register. We're available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time. For individuals with speech or hearing limitations, please utilize relay service, video relay service, and/or 711 to call us. For your security, re-registration will initiate a seven day hold on certain web transactions.

If you don't remember your password, select Forgot your Password? on the password screen. After you verify your identity, we'll issue you a temporary password. After logging on with your temporary password, you'll set up a new, permanent password.

Your permanent password must contain 6 to 20 characters and include 2 letters and 2 numbers. You may use most special characters and a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters to help make your password stronger.

In order to use our site you may need to disable your popup blocker(s). First, you need to locate the applications, then disable the popup blockers. There are three major types of popup blockers that may be installed on your system:

Blockers built into your web browser
Internet Explorer 6 and higher, Firefox, Safari, and Google Chrome all have popup blockers built into the applications. See below for instructions for specific web browsers.

Blockers you add through a toolbar
Some of the most popular web browser toolbars, such as Google Toolbar and Yahoo! Companion include popup blockers you can control in the toolbar window. We recommend that you check the toolbar manufacturer's website for instructions for disabling the popup blocker, as most manufacturers keep this information in their online help files.

Stand-alone blockers
You can also purchase or download applications that block popup windows and other advertisements as part of an overall security package. These include applications such as Popup Stopper, Ad-Subtract, and Ad-Aware, as well as firewall or antivirus applications including Norton Internet Security and Zone Alarm. We recommend that you check the manufacturer's website or the help files for the application for instructions for disabling the popup blocker.

Note: Most popup blockers running on Windows computers can be temporarily disabled by holding down the Control (Ctrl) key and Alternate (Alt) key on your keyboard while clicking a link. This is the fastest and easiest first step.

To disable a popup blocker on your web browser, follow the instructions for your browser below.

Google Chrome 52.x and higher

Safari 10.x and higher

Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and higher

Firefox 47.x and higher

Microsoft Edge 20.x and higher

If you want us to recognize the device you're using, ensure you select, skip (two-factor authentication) when you recognize me when you are challenged with a security code or a security question. For your security, this selection will be reset every 90 days.

Please note there are many factors that contribute to your recognition, including but not limited to device, browser, and location. Any one of these factors can contribute to whether or not you will be recognized. 

Cookies and other similar data files are tiny pieces of information that we ask your browser to store. If your browser doesn't accept cookies, you won't be able to view your account information online. Vanguard.com uses two types of these data files:

Session cookies. These data files are temporary cookies that are deleted when you shut down your browser, when you log off, or after your computer is inactive for 15 minutes. These cookies let us know that you've logged on and they allow us to maintain your privacy as you move from page to page. They also act as timers, logging you off after prolonged inactivity to prevent unauthorized account access.

Permanent or persistent cookies/data files. These types of data files are stored on your hard drive and are read by your browser each time you visit our website. They're used to remember which investments you entered in your Watch List, which funds you're tracking through Outside Investments, the results from your last visit to our Narrow Your Fund Choices tool, and to help verify your identity when you try to access your account information or initiate an online transaction. We also use them if we need to send you important messages while you're online.

Important notes:

  • We use data files such as cookies only when alternative means are not practical or available.
  • We disclose all uses of these data files on this page.
  • We limit the size of our cookies to 4 kilobytes. (It would take about 20 million cookies to fill a 2-gigabyte hard drive.)
  • You may receive multiple cookies or similar data files during each visit to vanguard.com. For example, when you navigate within a secure area, temporary cookies may be created each time you leave a page.

We require a valid e-mail address so we can communicate any changes or updates to your account information. A valid e-mail address also enables you to reset your own username, password, and security questions.

Current versions of most browsers that are optimized for our website now offer the option of saving passwords for different websites, including Vanguard's. While we make every effort to protect the security of your accounts, we don't recommend storing your Vanguard password on your browser in case your computer becomes compromised.

If your Vanguard password has already been saved by your browser, we've listed step-by-step instructions below for how to remove it. When your password has been removed from the list of passwords, please close out your browser and open a new window before continuing to use our website.

To remove your Vanguard password so that it's not stored on your browser, locate your browser below and follow the instructions:

Google Chrome 61.x and higher

Safari 10.x and higher

Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and higher

Firefox 56.x and higher

Microsoft Edge 20.x and higher

A good first step is to try clearing your cache and cookies to ensure you are accessing the latest version of our website. Not sure how to do so? See below for tips for your specific browser.

To clear your browser's cache (temporary internet files), locate your browser below and follow the instructions:

Google Chrome 61.x and higher

Safari 10.x and higher

Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and higher

Firefox 56.x and higher

Microsoft Edge 20.x and higher

To clear your browser's cookies, follow the instructions for your browser below.

Google Chrome 61.x and higher

Safari 10.x and higher

Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and higher

Firefox 56.x and higher

Microsoft Edge 20.x and higher

How can I remove my Vanguard password so that it's not stored on my browser for automatic logons?

Google Chrome 61.x and higher (Windows or Mac OS)

  • Click the Customize and Control icon (3 vertical dots) in the upper-right corner, followed by Settings.
  • Click the Advanced link at the bottom of the page.
  • Under Passwords and forms, select Manage passwords. From here you can remove Vanguard from the list of saved passwords.
  • Close Google Chrome.

How can I remove my Vanguard password so that it's not stored on my browser for automatic logons?

Safari 10.x and higher (Mac OS®)

  • From the Safari menu, select Preferences.
  • Select the Passwords icon at the top of the window. Type "Vanguard" into the search bar on the right-hand side. A result for the stored Vanguard password should appear. Select a saved password and then click Remove at the bottom of the window. Repeat for each instance that vanguard.com appears.
  • Quit Safari.

How can I remove my Vanguard password so that it's not stored on my browser for automatic logons?

Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and higher

  • From the Tools menu or gear icon, select Internet Options.
  • Select the Content tab, and then the Settings button under AutoComplete.
  • Select the Manage Passwords button.
  • Under Web Password, select the items that contain the Vanguard web address so that it expands down and select Remove.
  • Close Internet Explorer.

How can I remove my Vanguard password so that it's not stored on my browser for automatic logons?

Firefox 56.x and higher (Windows)

  • Click the square with three horizontal lines icon in the upper right-hand corner and then select Options.
  • Click Privacy & Security, followed by Saved Logins. From here, you can remove Vanguard from the list of saved logins.
  • Close Firefox

Firefox 56.x and higher (Mac OS®)

  • Click the square with three horizontal lines icon in the upper right-hand corner and then select Preferences.
  • Click Privacy & Security, followed by Saved Logins. From here, you can remove Vanguard from the list of saved logins.
  • Close Firefox.

How can I remove my Vanguard password so that it's not stored on my browser for automatic logons?

Microsoft Edge 20.x and higher

  • From the More Actions button (three dots ...), select Settings.
  • Click View advanced settings button.
  • Select Manage my saved passwords, then select the X next to each Vanguard.com entry.
  • Close Microsoft Edge.

How do I clear my browser's cache?

Google Chrome 61.x and higher (Windows or Mac OS)

  • Click the Customize and Control icon (3 vertical dots) in the upper-right corner.
  • Place your mouse on More tools and select Clear browsing data from the drop down menu.
  • Select All Time for the time range.
  • Uncheck all items except Cached images and files. Then select Clear browsing data.
  • Close Google Chrome.

How do I clear my browser's cache?

Safari 10.x and higher (Mac OS®)

  • From the Safari menu, select Clear History.
  • For the time frame, select All History. Then select Clear History.
  • Quit Safari.

How do I clear my browser's cache?

Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and higher

  • Hold down Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
  • Place a check only next to Temporary Internet Files. Uncheck all other boxes in the list.
  • Click Delete.
  • Close Internet Explorer.

How do I clear my browser's cache?

Firefox 56.x and higher (Windows or Mac OS®)

  • Hold down Ctrl (Command) + Shift + Delete.
  • Select Everything for Time range to clear.
  • Under Details, checkmark Cache and uncheck everything else.
  • Click Clear now.
  • Close Firefox.

How do I clear my browser's cache?

Microsoft Edge 20.x and higher

  • Hold down Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
  • Checkmark Cached data and files. Uncheck all other boxes in the list.
  • Click Delete.
  • Close Microsoft Edge.

How do I clear my browser's cookies?

Google Chrome 61.x and higher (Windows or Mac OS)

  • Click the Customize and Control icon (3 vertical dots) in the upper-right corner.
  • Place your mouse on More tools and select Clear browsing data from the drop down menu.
  • Select All Time for the time range.
  • Uncheck all items except Cookies and other site data. Then select Clear browsing data.
  • Close Google Chrome.

How do I clear my browser's cookies?

Safari 10.x and higher (Mac OS®)

  • From the Safari menu, select Clear History.
  • For the time frame, select All History. Then select Clear History.
  • Quit Safari.

How do I clear my browser's cookies?

Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and higher

  • Hold down Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
  • Place a check only next to Cookies and website data. Uncheck all other boxes in the list.
  • Click Delete.
  • Close Internet Explorer.

How do I clear my browser's cookies?

Firefox 56.x and higher (Windows or Mac OS)

  • Hold down Ctrl (Command)+ Shift + Delete.
  • Select Everything for the Time range to clear.
  • Under Details, checkmark Cookies and uncheck everything else.
  • Click Clear Now.
  • Close Firefox.

How do I clear my browser's cookies?

Microsoft Edge 20.x and higher

  • Hold down Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
  • Checkmark Cookies and saved website data. Uncheck all other boxes in the list.
  • Click Delete.
  • Close Microsoft Edge.

How do I disable my popup blocker using Chrome?

Google Chrome 52.x and higher (Windows and Mac OS)

  1. Click the Customize and Control icon (3 vertical dots) in the upper-right corner, followed by Settings.
  2. Click Privacy and security and then click on Site settings.
  3. Scroll down to and click Popups and Redirects and select Sites can send pop-ups and use redirects.

How do I disable my popup blocker using Safari?

Safari 10.x and higher (Mac OS)

  1. Click Safari in the upper left-hand side of your screen.
  2. In the menu that appears, click Settings.
  3. In the window that appears, find and click the Websites tab.
  4. In the left side of the window, scroll down and click the Pop-up windows.
  5. Towards the bottom right of the window, select Allow for the When visiting other websites.

Disable "Popup blocker" on iPhone or on an iPad.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select Safari.
  3. Look for Block Pop-ups and make sure it is not highlighted.

How do I disable my popup blocker?

Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and higher

(Please note: You may need to press the Alt key to view your menu bar.)

  • Click the Tools menu.
  • Click Popup blocker.
  • Click Turn off popup blocker.

How do I disable my popup blocker using Firefox?

Firefox 47.x and higher (Windows)

  1. Click the Open Menu in the top right corner, then select Options.
  2. Click Content on the left of the Options window.
  3. Uncheck Block popup windows.

Firefox 47.x and higher (Mac OS®)

  1. Click the Firefox menu and select Preferences.
  2. Click Content on the left of the Options window.
  3. Uncheck Block popup windows.

How do I disable my popup blocker using Microsoft Edge?

Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and higher

(Please note: You may need to press the Alt key to view your menu bar.)

  1. Click the Tools menu (3 horizontal dots) in the upper-right corner, followed by Settings.
  2. On the left side, click Cookies and site permissions.
  3. Scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects.
  4. At the top, make sure the toggle is off for Blocked.