Resolving "Already Linked" Login Error When Accessing HCP Terraform Portal

Overview

When accessing the HCP Terraform portal, users may encounter the error message:

"Already linked: This account requires that you sign in with Email, and you were signed in with GitHub..." or 

"Already linked: This account requires that you sign in with GitHub, and you were signed in with Email..."

This typically occurs due to a mismatch between the login method used (Email/Password or GitHub) and the identity type configured for the linked HCP and HCP Terraform accounts.

Problem Statement

Users see the "Already linked" message when logging in to HCP Terraform because they are using a login method (GitHub or Email/Password) that does not match the identity configuration of their account. This error is expected and depends on how the HCP and HCP Terraform accounts were created and linked. There are two possible scenarios:

Scenario 1: Linked account uses GitHub identity, but the user tries to log in with Email/Password

• Your HCP and HCP Terraform accounts are linked with GitHub as the identity provider.
• If you try logging in using Email/Password, you'll receive the "Already linked" error, which is an expected behavior.

  

How to log in correctly:

1. Navigate to HCP Terraform.
2. Click on Continue with HCP account.
3. On the next screen, click Sign in with GitHub.
4. Enter your GitHub credentials (email and GitHub password).

If you prefer to use Email/Password instead:

The HCP and HCP Terraform accounts must first be unlinked.

• You can unlink a pre-existing HCP Terraform account; you can unlink it yourself by going to the HCP Account Linking section under Account Settings in the HCP portal.
• However, if the Terraform account was automatically created during HCP sign-up, it can only be unlinked by deleting the associated Terraform account.

In that case, please reach out to HashiCorp Support for assistance. Once the unlinking is complete, you’ll be able to create a new standalone or linked Terraform account using your email and password.

Scenario 2: Linked account uses EMAIL/PASSWORD identity, but the user tries to log in with GitHub

• Your HCP and HCP Terraform accounts are linked with Email/Password credentials.
• If you try logging in using GitHub, you'll encounter the "Already linked" error, which is an expected behavior.

  

How to log in correctly:

1. Navigate to HCP Terraform.
2. Click on Continue with HCP account.
3. On the next screen, enter your Email address and Password.

If you prefer to use GitHub instead:

The HCP and HCP Terraform accounts must first be unlinked.

• You can unlink a pre-existing HCP Terraform account; you can unlink it yourself by going to the HCP Account Linking section under Account Settings in the HCP portal.
• However, if the Terraform account was automatically created during HCP sign-up, it can only be unlinked by deleting the associated Terraform account.

 In that case, please reach out to HashiCorp Support for assistance. Once deleted, you’ll be able to create a new standalone or linked Terraform account.

References:

Linking HCP and HCP Terraform Accounts

Create an HCP Terraform Account

Unlink HCP and HCP Terraform Accounts

Need Help?

If you continue to experience issues or need assistance unlinking your Terraform and HCP accounts, please get in touch with HashiCorp Support.