Users located outside of the Washington Post's service area (that is outside of Maryland, D.C., and Virginia), and/or users of a VPN will get an error stating, "Sorry you are not eligible for this special offer." The Post recently implemented this change and they now use geo-authentication before allowing access to the Post.
If you are having trouble accessing the Washington Post and you are located inside of the Post's service area (Maryland, D.C., or VA), please try the steps below using a full web browser on a desktop or laptop computer, or a tablet. If possible, avoid using a mobile phone as they are usually set mobile browser not full browser mode.
- Have your library card number and library PIN/password handy.
- Go to BCPL's home page at www.bcpl.info
- Select the Books and More tab.
- Select Digital Library or Research Databases.
- Scroll down and select Washington Post from the list.
- You should land on BCPL's Access the Washington Post page.
- Select the link, "Access from outside the library".
- If prompted to log into your library account, enter your library card number and library pin/password.
- You should land on a Washington Post login page.
- First time users enter your email and create a password of at least 8 characters long. NOTE: if you had an account with The Post previously, use a different email from the one you used to create that prior account.
- Returning users enter the email address and password you used to create your Post account.
- To use the Washington Post mobile app, you must first create and log into your Washington Post account using a computer or device with a full web browser, not a mobile browser. Then you can install the WP mobile app. If you already have the app linked to a previous WP account, delete the app, power off your device for a few minutes, power back on then reinstall it and log in.
- When you open the mobile app, you should see a WP screen (as shown below) with buttons/links to "Subscribe", "Sign In" or "Restore Subscription". Be sure to click on "Sign In".
- After 7 days you will need to repeat the above process using a computer or device with a full web browser to log in via BCPL's website. You cannot complete the process using the mobile app. If you must use a mobile phone to log in, be sure to switch the web browser from "mobile" to "full view". You can usually find this option within the browser's settings or menu. This typically involves toggling a "Request Desktop Site" or "Desktop Site" option, or sometimes accessing the "Developer Tools" to simulate a desktop viewport. Once you have logged in using a full web browser, wait a few minutes, then open the WP app on your phone and it should allow you access.
Troubleshooting:
- If you can log in using a computer/laptop but the problem persists on the WP mobile app, try changing your device's connection from wi-fi to cellular or vice versa and try again. If that does not resolve it, try closing all your open apps, power off your device for a few minutes, power back on, make sure you are connected to wi-fi (if possible) and try the Washington Post mobile app again.
- If you cannot log in using a computer/laptop, try checking your web browser for updates. If that does not solve the problem, try clearing your web browser's cache or try using a different (up-to-date) web browser. Then try again to access the WP via BCPL's Research Databases page or Digital Library page.
- If you see a screen asking you sign up and pay for a subscription, be sure you have logged into your library account and into your Washington Post account via BCPL's Research Databases page or Digital Library page. You cannot do this within the mobile app. You must go through BCPL's website first. If you go back through the library's site before your 7 days have expired, that's OK but sometimes you may see a screen that says, "It looks like you are already a subscriber." Just click "Continue to today's news." If the Continue button is ever missing, click on The Post logo / mast head at the top of the page and you should be able to pass through to the newspaper. If the problems persists then try the steps below, based on what kind of device the issue is happening on.
Computer Users:
Try checking your web browser for updates. If that does not solve the problem, try clearing your web browser's cache or try using a different (up-to-date) web browser. Then try again to access the Post via BCPL's Research Databases page or Digital Library page.
Mobile Device with Mobile App Users:
Try using a full web browser and log into your Washington Post account via BCPL's Research Databases page or Digital Library page. If you can log in but the problem persists with the WP mobile app, try changing your device's connection from wi-fi to cellular or vice versa. If that does not resolve it, try closing all your open apps, power off your device for a few minutes, power back on, make sure you are connected to wi-fi (if possible) and try the Washington Post mobile app again.
