OneCard Troubleshooting

Four-step process to determine how to get your card working.

  • 1

    Check the Physical Condition of Your Card

    If it has been bent, any piece of the magnetic stripe on the back is missing, or the card is badly worn, you may need to get a replacement from our office, the NIU OneCard ID Services Office. If you bring in your old card, the replacement fee is $10. If your OneCard ID is still in good shape, go on to Step 2.

  • 2

    Make Sure That You Have Your Correct, Active Card

    If you lost your OneCard ID at a previous time, bought a new one and then lost it also, your old OneCard ID will not work. The old card was deactivated for your own security when you received your new card. There is no way for us to reactivate an old card that has been replaced. If you happen to find your old card and it does not work, follow one of these two solutions:

    • Find your new card, and once you know for sure which card is your correct card, destroy the old, inactive card. You are welcome to bring the cards to our office and we will verify for you which is the correct card, and then we can destroy your old OneCard in our card shredder.
    • Come to our office and get a replacement for your new, lost card. The replacement fee is $20 payable by cash or check, and students can pay by charging the replacement fee to their bursar account.

    If you know you have your correct OneCard ID, continue to Step 3.

  • 3

    Check Your Enrollment for the Current Semester

    If you are a student, have you enrolled for the current semester?

    You will need to register via the MyNIU system. If you have registered for classes, go on to Step 4.

  • 4

    Check the Location Where Your OneCard ID Does Not Work

    • All non-student Recreation Center members: Make sure that you have a current membership at the Rec Center. The Rec Center phone number is 815-753-0231.
    • Call us and we can check the status of your card. Make sure to have it ready in case we need information from your card. Our phone number is 815-753-9569.
    • Bring your OneCard ID into our office at Founders Memorial Library, room 104. We can check all aspects of your card here with our specialized equipment and get it working for you quickly.

    • Call us and we can check the status of your card. Make sure to have it ready in case we need information from your card. Our phone number is 815-753-9569.
    • Bring your OneCard ID into our office and we can check all aspects of your card here with our specialized equipment and get it working for you quickly.

    You will need to contact Campus Dining Services for help with your meal plan. Email them at dining@niu.edu. We are unable to modify any meal plans (including "Dining Dollars") that are set up by Campus Dining Services.

    • Residence hall students: Take your OneCard ID to the front desk of your residence hall. The front desk staff will troubleshoot using their equipment and check your door access permissions.
      (If stopping at the front desk does not remedy the issue, see next step)
    • Bring your OneCard ID into our office so that we may check to see if it has been damaged. If it has been damaged, we will need to replace your OneCard ID. If we find that your ID is functioning, we will contact Housing and Residential Services or Key Control to get it working for you again.

    • Call us and we can check the status of your card. Make sure to have it ready in case we need information from your card. Our phone number is 815-753-9569.
    • Bring your OneCard ID into our office and we can check all aspects of your card here with our specialized equipment and get it working for you quickly.

    Bring your OneCard ID into our office. We will check all aspects of your card here with our specialized equipment and get it working for you quickly.

Contact Us

OneCard ID Services
Founders Memorial Library
Room 104
DeKalb, IL 60115

Phone: 815-753-9569
Email: onecard@niu.edu

Business Hours

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