---
title: Removing authentication methods
description: You can remove an authentication method to disallow its use when authenticating with PingID.
component: pingid
page_id: pingid:pingid_service_management:pid_removing_authentication_methods
canonical_url: http://docs.pingidentity.com/pingid/pingid_service_management/pid_removing_authentication_methods.html
revdate: January 29, 2024
section_ids:
  about-this-task: About this task
  steps: Steps
---

# Removing authentication methods

You can remove an authentication method to disallow its use when authenticating with PingID.

## About this task

|   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| - | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   | Removing an authentication method prevents new users from registering and existing users from authenticating with the selected authentication method. If you want to prevent registration, and allow existing users to continue to authenticate with that authentication method, see [Disabling pairing for a specific authentication method](pid_disabling_pairing_specific_authentication_method.html). |

|   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| - | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   | You cannot remove an authentication method if that method is being used for an authentication policy. Remove the method from the authentication policy first, and then clear the relevant check box in the **Alternate Authentication Methods** section. |

## Steps

1. In the PingID admin portal, go to **Setup → PingID → Configuration**.

2. In the **Authentication** section, go to **Alternate Authentication Methods**.

   ![A screen capture of the Alternate Authentication Methods section.](_images/vkb1564020562147.png)

3. In the **Enable** column, clear the check box for each authentication type that you want to disallow. Click **Save**.