Common wall · Login works locally but not in production
Sign-in broke when the app went live.
Why login can work in preview but fail after launch, the plain-English checks to make first, and when a live authentication issue needs Rescue.
Shipping wall
Reviewed July 13, 2026
Direct answer
What this wall usually means.
Sign-in often fails after launch because the identity service does not recognize the live address, the return path is wrong, browser sessions are configured differently, or the live app is missing private settings. Test one account from a clean browser, record the exact stopping point, and verify the approved live addresses before changing the interface.
Recognize it
Symptoms that belong together.
- The sign-in button returns users to the login screen without an explanation.
- Password reset or email verification opens the wrong address.
- A founder account works while a brand-new customer account fails.
- The live app forgets the user after a refresh or browser restart.
First checks
Gather evidence before another patch.
- 01Try a brand-new test account in a private browser window.
- 02Write down every address the user visits during sign-in and account recovery.
- 03Confirm the identity service knows the real live domain and return paths.
- 04Check the live failure record before changing buttons, forms, or page layout.
DIY or bring in help?
Stop when the risk is larger than the clue.
A focused check is reasonable when you have a stable version and one repeatable failure. Bring in help when the app, customer impact, or safety boundary is no longer clear.
- Real users are locked out or account recovery cannot be trusted.
- Different users appear to share a session or see the wrong account.
- Repeated fixes change the symptom without producing a dependable sign-in flow.
- Start your Ship Audit →
Inside the Ship Framework
Secure + Connect
Secure checks that accounts stay separated and sessions behave as intended. Connect verifies that sign-in, verification email, account recovery, and the live domain complete one continuous journey.
See all seven stages →Questions founders ask
Before you change anything.
Why does login work in preview but not on my domain?
Identity services only return users to approved addresses. A preview address may already be allowed while a custom domain, secure return path, or production setting is missing or mismatched.
Should I remove authentication and add it again?
Usually not as a first step. Rebuilding sign-in can remove useful evidence and introduce new account or data problems. Verify the live addresses, session behavior, and failure record before replacing a working identity setup.
When is broken login a security problem?
Treat it as urgent if users enter the wrong account, stay signed in after they should not, reset another person’s access, or see information that does not belong to them. Stop inviting users and seek focused help.
Related walls
Symptoms often travel together.
Published by ShipTheVibes. This guide is general product-readiness information, not legal or security incident advice.
Your next move
Turn the symptom into a useful next step.
Tell us what you built, what customers see, and when it last worked. The Audit helps determine whether Ship is the right next move.