Amazon gives you two paths: deactivate temporarily or delete permanently

Amazon does not have a single "delete account" button. Instead, you choose between deactivating your account (you can reactivate it later) or closing it permanently (deletion takes about 90 days, and you cannot undo it). Deactivation is faster and reversible. Permanent closure is what you want if you never plan to use Amazon again and want your data removed from their systems.

Both options require you to settle any outstanding orders, refunds, or gift card balances first. Amazon will not let you proceed if you have an active subscription, an open return, or money owed to them. The process itself takes about 10 minutes, but the actual deletion from Amazon's servers takes roughly 90 days after you submit the request.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your account and stops new orders, but Amazon keeps your data and you can reactivate anytime by logging in.
  • Permanent closure deletes your account after 90 days, removes your personal information from most Amazon systems, and cannot be reversed.
  • You must cancel all subscriptions (Prime, Kindle Unlimited, etc.), resolve any open orders or returns, and spend any gift card balance before either option will go through.
  • Amazon keeps some data for legal and tax reasons even after deletion, such as transaction history for refund disputes or tax records.
  • If you have an Amazon Business account or seller account, you must close those separately through their own settings.

How to deactivate your account (temporary, reversible)

Deactivation is the faster option if you are not sure you will never use Amazon again. Your account goes dormant — you cannot place orders or access your account, but Amazon keeps your data. You can reactivate by straightforward logging in with your email and password at any point in the future.

Go to Amazon.com, sign in, and navigate to Account & Lists (top right corner). Select Your Account, then scroll down to Login & Security. Look for the option to deactivate or close your account — the exact wording varies by region, but it is in this section. Amazon will ask you to confirm your reason for leaving and may offer you a discount to stay. You can ignore these and proceed. Once you confirm, your account is deactivated when ready.

To reactivate, straightforward log in to Amazon.com with your email and password. Your account, order history, and saved addresses will all be restored. There is no waiting period or additional step.

How to permanently close your account (deletion after 90 days)

Permanent closure is irreversible. After you submit the request, Amazon gives you a 90-day window to change your mind. If you do not log back in during those 90 days, your account is deleted and your personal information is removed from most Amazon systems. Once the 90 days pass, you cannot recover your account, order history, or saved payment methods.

The steps are the same as deactivation: go to Account & Lists > Your Account > Login & Security, and select the option to close your account. This time, Amazon will explicitly tell you the account will be deleted after 90 days and ask you to confirm. Read the warning carefully — it will list what data will be deleted and what Amazon will keep for legal reasons.

If you change your mind within the 90 days, log in to your account before the important date. Your account will be reactivated and the deletion will be cancelled. After 90 days, logging in will not work because the account no longer exists.

What you must do before closing or deactivating

Amazon will block your request if you have any of the following unresolved:

  • Active subscriptions: Cancel Prime, Kindle Unlimited, Prime Video, Audible, or any other recurring subscription through Your Memberships and Subscriptions in Account Settings. This must be done before you attempt to close your account.
  • Open orders or returns: Complete or cancel any orders in progress. If you have an active return, wait for it to be processed and the refund to post before closing.
  • Gift card balance: Spend any remaining gift card balance or request a refund. Amazon will not close your account if money is sitting in your account.
  • Outstanding refunds: If Amazon owes you money from a return or dispute, wait for the refund to process. The account cannot be closed while a refund is pending.
  • Seller or Business account: If you sell on Amazon or use Amazon Business, you must close those accounts separately through their own settings before closing your consumer account.

Check your email for any pending confirmations or actions. If Amazon is waiting for you to confirm a return or dispute, resolve it first. The system will tell you exactly what is blocking closure and what you need to fix.

What happens to your data after deletion

Amazon removes your personal information from most of its systems 90 days after you request closure. This includes your name, address, phone number, email, and payment methods. Your order history and saved preferences are also deleted from the consumer-facing systems you would normally access.

However, Amazon keeps some data permanently for legal and business reasons. This includes transaction records needed for tax purposes, refund disputes, or fraud investigations. If you filed a return or had a payment dispute, Amazon may keep records related to that transaction. They also keep data if required by law — for example, if you purchased something that was later recalled or involved in a legal case.

Your data is also kept in backups for a period of time. These backups are not accessible to you or to Amazon's customer service, but they exist for disaster recovery. Eventually these backups expire and are overwritten, but this can take months or longer depending on Amazon's backup schedule.

Closing an Amazon Business or seller account

If you have a separate Amazon Business account (used for workplace purchasing), you must close that through its own settings. Go to Business Account, select Account Settings, and look for the closure option. Business accounts have different requirements — you may need to settle any outstanding invoices or corporate orders first.

If you sell on Amazon (Seller Central), closing your consumer account does not close your seller account. You must go to Seller Central, navigate to Settings > Account Info, and request closure there. Amazon requires you to resolve any open seller cases, refund disputes, or unsold inventory before they will close a seller account. This process can take longer than closing a consumer account.

What to do if you cannot close your account

If Amazon will not let you close your account and the system is not telling you why, contact Amazon Customer Service. Go to Amazon.com, scroll to the bottom, select Contact Us, and choose the option for account or login issues. You can chat with a representative or request a callback. Explain that you want to close your account and ask them to identify what is blocking the request.

Common blockers include a pending refund that is stuck in processing, a subscription that did not cancel properly, or a seller account still linked to your consumer account. Amazon's support team can usually resolve these in one conversation. If they cannot, ask them to escalate the request or provide a timeline for when the blocker will be cleared.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reactivate my account after permanent deletion?

No. Once the 90-day deletion window closes, your account is permanently gone. You cannot recover it, your order history, or your saved information. You could create a new Amazon account with the same email address, but it would be a fresh account with no history. If you are uncertain, choose deactivation instead — it is reversible.

Will Amazon delete my account if I just stop using it?

No. Inactive accounts do not get deleted automatically. Amazon keeps your account and data indefinitely unless you explicitly request closure. If you want your account gone, you must go through the closure process yourself.

What happens to my Prime membership when I close my account?

Prime cancels automatically when you close your account. If you have a remaining balance on your Prime membership (for example, you paid for a year but are closing after six months), Amazon will not refund the unused portion. Cancel Prime before you close your account if you want to avoid losing that money.

Can I delete my account if I have an active Amazon credit card?

Yes, but closing your Amazon account does not close your Amazon credit card account. The credit card is issued by a bank (usually Chase), not by Amazon. You must contact your credit card issuer separately to close the card. Closing your Amazon account just removes your access to the Amazon store and your order history.

How long does it actually take for Amazon to delete my data?

The 90-day window is when your account becomes inaccessible and deletion begins. Complete removal from all of Amazon's systems can take longer — sometimes several months — because data exists in multiple places (active databases, backups, archives). Amazon does not publish exact timelines, but the 90 days is when you lose access and the process officially starts.