If a Pixieset gallery won't open, it's usually one of three things: the password was entered incorrectly, you chose the wrong entry option, or the gallery has expired and is now hidden. Passwords are case-sensitive and space-sensitive, so a stray space is enough to block you. Only your photographer can reset a password or publish an expired gallery again. Here's the short version:
- Password rejected? Retype it by hand, then check whether you're entering as a guest or a client.
- Link stopped working? The gallery may have reached its expiry date. It's hidden, not deleted.
- Gallery opens, but photos are missing? You may have entered as a guest.
Below: how the entry options work, a table for each problem, and a message you can send your photographer.
Guest or client: which one are you?
Some Pixieset galleries ask visitors to choose Enter as Guest or Enter as Client. Each option has its own password, so a correct password can still fail if you choose the wrong one.
| Enter as Guest | Enter as Client | |
|---|---|---|
| Password | Collection password | Client Exclusive Access password |
| Photos you can view | Only the sets available to guests | Every set in the gallery |
| Photos marked private | Hidden | Visible to clients |
| Gallery download | Only the photos visible to you; client-only photos are left out | Not limited to guest sets, though your photographer's download settings still apply |
If you booked the session, you're probably the client. If a friend or relative sent you the link, you're probably a guest. When a client password doesn't work under Enter as Guest, or the other way around, that's the first thing to fix.
Find your problem
| What you see | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Password isn't accepted | It may include a hidden space, the wrong capitalization, or an old saved entry | Type it by hand instead of pasting, then see the password steps below |
| Password works for a friend but not for you | Your browser may be submitting an old saved password, or you may have chosen a different entry option | Clear this site's data, or try a different browser |
| Asked to choose guest or client | The gallery uses Client Exclusive Access | Use the option that matches the password you were given |
| Gallery link stopped working | The gallery may have passed its expiry date, which hides it | Ask your photographer to publish it again |
| Gallery opens, but sets or photos are missing | You may be viewing as a guest, or some photos may be private | Ask whether you should enter as a client |
| You got a link to only a few photos | It may be a Quick Share link, which doesn't open the whole gallery | Ask for the full gallery link |
| Gallery isn't on the photographer's homepage | It may be hidden from the homepage, which doesn't turn off its direct link | Ask for the direct link |
| Gallery opens, but the download asks for a code | That's the download PIN, not a gallery password | See our Pixieset download PIN guide |
| Download link from your order stopped working | Order links expire after 7 days | Ask your photographer to resend the files |
When the password isn't working
Pixieset's help center lists a few common causes. Try these in order:
- Type it by hand. Passwords must match exactly, including capital letters and spaces. Pasting can bring along a space you can't see.
- Check your entry option. The collection password goes with Enter as Guest. The Client Exclusive Access password goes with Enter as Client.
- Clear saved data. Browsers can keep submitting an old password even after you type the right one. Pixieset suggests clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then trying again in a new browser session.
- Ask your photographer to check it. A hidden space can be in the saved password itself. Pixieset says you can't spot it just by looking, and your photographer has to check the password field in the gallery's privacy settings.
Your photographer sets these passwords. Don't try to guess one. If these steps don't help, ask them for the current password.
When the link has stopped working
Photographers can set an expiry date on a gallery. When that date passes, Pixieset changes the gallery's status from Published to Hidden, and clients can no longer view it. The gallery isn't deleted, and your photographer can publish it again at any time.
Galleries don't normally expire on their own while the photographer has an active subscription. If the photographer cancels, Pixieset says galleries are kept for a period of time before they're deleted. It doesn't say how long, so contact your photographer as soon as you can.
Can't find the original link? Search your inbox and spam folder for your photographer's or studio's name. Photographers can share a gallery by email invite, direct link, or QR code, so check any texts from them too.
Once you're back in, download the files you're entitled to right away. Our guide to downloading Pixieset photos without a watermark explains which size to choose.
Do you need a Pixieset account?
Pixieset's client steps don't mention creating an account. You open the gallery link, enter a password if there's one, and give your email and PIN if you're asked when you download. If you're searching for a client login page, you probably need the direct link to your gallery instead, so ask your photographer for it.
What to send your photographer
A specific message helps your photographer find the problem quickly. In Pixieset, they can check the saved password, tell you which entry option to use, change the expiry date, and publish a hidden gallery again.
Hi [photographer's name], I'm [your name] from the [session or event] gallery. I can't open it: [what you're seeing, such as "the password isn't accepted" or "the link no longer works"]. Could you send me the direct link and the current password, and let me know whether I should enter as a guest or a client? If the gallery has expired, could you publish it again so I can download my photos? Thanks!
If the gallery is gone and you have rights to a copy
Your photographer is the only person who can restore gallery access. If they can't, whether because the business has closed or they've stopped responding, here's what to do when your photographer has disappeared.
You may be left with only a watermarked copy of a photo you own or have permission to edit. In that case, our Pixieset watermark remover can clean it up, and our photo proof watermark remover works with photos from other galleries. Our tools don't connect to Pixieset and can't open a locked gallery. If you're not sure what you're allowed to do, see does buying a photo include editing rights.
FAQ
Why does Pixieset say my password is wrong?
The most common cause, according to Pixieset, is a hidden space in the password. Capitalization matters too, and your browser may be submitting an old saved password. Also check that you've chosen the right option, guest or client.
What's the difference between guest and client access?
Guests see only the sets available to them, using the collection password. Clients see every set, using the Client Exclusive Access password. Your photographer decides which sets are client-only.
Can a Pixieset gallery expire?
Yes, if your photographer sets an expiry date. On that date, the gallery switches to Hidden and clients can't view it. It isn't deleted, so your photographer can publish it again.
Why are some photos missing from my gallery?
You may be viewing as a guest, because client-only sets and photos marked private are hidden from guests. Ask your photographer whether you should enter as a client. You may also have a Quick Share link, which only includes selected photos.
Can Pixieset reset my gallery password?
Your photographer sets the password in the gallery's privacy settings, so start with them. Pixieset's help center tells photographers to contact its support team if password problems continue after they've checked those settings.
Sources
- Pixieset Help Center, My Client Cannot Access Their Collection With The Collection Password, checked November 4, 2026
- Pixieset Help Center, Setting up client-only access in a collection, checked November 4, 2026
- Pixieset Help Center, Privacy options for Client Gallery, checked November 4, 2026
- Pixieset Help Center, Adding a collection password, checked November 4, 2026
- Pixieset Help Center, How do I set an Expiry Date to the Gallery?, checked November 4, 2026
- Pixieset Help Center, Do my Collections expire?, checked November 4, 2026
- Pixieset Help Center, Getting started with Client Gallery, checked November 4, 2026
- Pixieset Help Center, Your client's download experience, checked November 4, 2026