Passwords, expired links, and access problems

What each screen means, why it happens, and the fastest route back in. The sender is one click away on every error page.

A link that will not open almost always comes down to a control the sender set on purpose (a password, an expiry date) or a URL that got mangled in transit. Every one of these has a fast fix, and the error pages are built to put the sender one click away.

What you're seeing

• This link is password protected, with an Enter password field.
• Incorrect password after you type one.
• This review link has expired, or This review link is no longer active.
• Review link not found.
• On a reel: This reel is no longer available. On a presentation: a password or email screen before the deck opens.

Screenshot: reviewer-access-expired-1
An expired link shows a clean page with the sender one click away, not a broken player.

Why it happens

Passwords, expiry dates, and deactivation are per-link controls on the sender's side, usually there to keep unreleased work from wandering. The password check is exact, so a phone capitalizing the first letter is enough to fail it. "Not found" is nearly always a URL that lost characters when it was copied, or got wrapped and split by an email app.

Fix it

1. Password prompt: get the password from the sender (it usually travels in a separate message from the link) and type it exactly as sent. On a phone, watch for auto-capitalization and a sneaky trailing space. Expected result: the page unlocks and stays unlocked in this browser.
2. Expired or no longer active: the page shows an Email button addressed to the sender, prefilled with the link and what went wrong. One click asks them for a fresh date. When they extend it, the same URL works again.
3. Not found: compare the address against the original message and make sure the whole link came through. Paste it directly into the browser bar rather than clicking a preview.

Still stuck

Every error page also offers a support contact (Contact HoldFast support, or the sender's own support address when they have one). Include the full link URL in your message: it tells support everything they need to find the problem.