How to Deactivate Your LinkedIn Account

Updated 8 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Deactivating your LinkedIn account means closing it, removing your profile from view and ending access to most of your LinkedIn information. Before you start, save anything you want to keep and make sure you can sign in; if you only want a break, LinkedIn’s hibernation option may suit you better.

What You’ll Need

Access to the LinkedIn account you want to close, including its sign-in method and any required verification.
A copy of information you want to retain, such as contacts, messages or profile details. You can request an archive in LinkedIn’s settings before closing the account.
Access to the email address or phone number on the account in case LinkedIn asks you to confirm your identity.

Step-by-Step

Decide whether you want closure or a temporary break. Account closure is different from hibernation. Closing the account starts the process of deleting your profile and account data, subject to LinkedIn’s retention policies. Hibernation hides your profile temporarily and is reversible. If you are unsure, review the hibernation option before proceeding.
Save information you may need later. To request a copy of your data, sign in and open Settings & Privacy. Go to Data privacy and look for Get a copy of your data or the current download option. Choose the available categories, submit the request and follow LinkedIn’s instructions to download the archive when it is ready. The request may take time, so do this before closing the account.
Check services and subscriptions linked to your account. Review any paid LinkedIn subscription, organization access, job applications or third-party services that use LinkedIn sign-in. Cancel or change anything you want to keep using through its own settings. Closing LinkedIn may affect access, but it does not necessarily cancel a separate subscription or delete data held by another service.
Open the account closure controls. On the LinkedIn website, select Me or your profile picture, then Settings & Privacy. Open Account preferences and find the account management or Close account option. LinkedIn sometimes changes labels or layout; if the names differ, search the settings page for “close account.”
Review LinkedIn’s explanation. The closure screen may describe what will happen and ask you to choose a reason. Read the notices, especially any information about losing access to your profile, connections, messages and account features. If you are only trying to make your profile less visible, consider changing visibility settings or hibernating instead.
Confirm your identity and submit the request. Follow the prompts to enter your password or complete another verification method. Select the final confirmation to close the account. Make sure you are acting on the correct profile if you manage more than one account.
Check for confirmation. LinkedIn may show an on-screen confirmation or send an email. Keep that message until you are sure the request was accepted. Avoid signing in again unless you intend to reopen the account: LinkedIn may let you reactivate a recently closed account by signing in, within the period and conditions it specifies.
Remove LinkedIn from devices if you wish. After closure, you can uninstall the mobile app and remove saved passwords from your browser or password manager. These steps do not close the account by themselves; closure must be completed through LinkedIn.

Common Mistakes

Confusing deactivation with hibernation. Hibernation temporarily hides a profile; closing an account begins the closure process. Choose based on whether you want a break or to leave LinkedIn.
Deleting the app instead of closing the account. Removing the app only removes it from your device. Your account remains active until you complete the closure request in settings.
Skipping the data download. Do not assume you can retrieve all profile information after closure. Request and save an archive first if you may need records or contacts.
Expecting every trace to disappear immediately. Your profile may stop being accessible, but search engine results, cached pages, messages already received by others, or information retained for legitimate operational reasons may not vanish at once.
Assuming all billing or external accounts are handled. Review subscriptions and services separately. Closing a LinkedIn account may not cancel a payment arrangement managed elsewhere.
Signing in after confirming closure. A sign-in attempt can offer or trigger reactivation during LinkedIn’s applicable recovery period. If you want the account to remain closed, do not use it again.

Tips

Download your data and note important contact details before you begin; do not rely on a future recovery to retrieve them.
Use a computer if the mobile app’s settings are difficult to navigate. The precise layout can vary, but account closure is generally available through account settings on LinkedIn’s website.
If you cannot remember your password, reset it first using LinkedIn’s sign-in recovery process. Do not share verification codes with anyone.
If you manage a LinkedIn Page or organization, check its administrator arrangements before leaving. Make sure another appropriate person has access if the organization still needs the Page.
Keep the confirmation email and note the date you submitted the request. This makes it easier to distinguish a completed closure from a sign-in or app-removal step.

Troubleshooting

You cannot find “Close account.” Open Settings & Privacy and inspect Account preferences and account management. LinkedIn may adjust names and placement. Try the website in a current browser if the app does not show the setting.

Your password is rejected or verification fails. Confirm that you are using the correct account and password, then use LinkedIn’s password-reset or identity-verification prompts. Check that you can access the account’s registered email or phone. If you no longer can, use LinkedIn’s account recovery process before attempting closure.

The closure option is unavailable or the request will not submit. Sign out and back in, refresh the page, or try another browser or device. Check for a message explaining what must be resolved first, such as an account restriction, pending action or subscription-related prompt. If the problem continues, use LinkedIn Help and include the exact message; never send your password or one-time code.

Your profile still appears in search results. Search engines may retain cached or indexed results for a while after closure. Check whether the profile still opens on LinkedIn. If it does, contact LinkedIn support to confirm the status; if it does not, the remaining result may need time to refresh through the search engine.

You changed your mind after closing the account. Try signing in only if you want to see whether LinkedIn offers reactivation. Restoration is not guaranteed and is subject to LinkedIn’s stated time limits and conditions. If the account cannot be reopened, contact LinkedIn Help for available options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is deactivating LinkedIn the same as deleting it?
People often use “deactivate” to mean closing an account. LinkedIn also offers hibernation, which hides the account temporarily. Read the confirmation screen so you know which action you selected.

Can I temporarily deactivate my LinkedIn account?
Use hibernation if you want a temporary break. It hides your profile while allowing you to return, subject to LinkedIn’s terms and instructions. Closing the account is a different process.

Can I close my account from the mobile app?
Settings available in the app can vary. Look under your profile and Settings for account management; if closure is not available there, sign in on LinkedIn’s website and use Settings & Privacy.

Will closing my account delete messages other people received?
No. Closing your account does not guarantee that copies of messages already delivered to other members or records held by other services will be erased.

How long does it take for my LinkedIn profile to disappear?
The account’s visibility and removal from external search results may not update at the same time. Check LinkedIn’s confirmation and allow time for search engines to refresh their listings.

Can I reopen a closed LinkedIn account?
LinkedIn may allow reactivation within a limited period after closure, but the availability and what can be restored depend on its current rules. Follow the sign-in prompts or contact LinkedIn Help.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.