LinkedIn gives you two ways out: deactivation and deletion

Deactivation hides your profile when ready but keeps your data on LinkedIn's servers for 30 days. You can reactivate during that window and get everything back. Deletion removes your account permanently after 30 days. LinkedIn will not restore a deleted account, so choose deletion only if you are certain.

Most people deactivate first to test whether they actually want to leave. If you change your mind within 30 days, log back in and your profile returns unchanged. If you do nothing for 30 days, the account moves to permanent deletion and you cannot undo it.

The process takes about five minutes. You do not need to delete your connections first, remove your photo, or clear your messages — LinkedIn handles that when the account closes.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your profile when ready but keeps your data recoverable for 30 days; deletion is permanent after that window closes.
  • You can reactivate a deactivated account anytime within 30 days by logging in, but a deleted account cannot be restored.
  • The steps are the same whether you deactivate or delete — the difference is what happens after 30 days pass.
  • Your connections will not be notified when you close your account, and LinkedIn will not send you a confirmation email.

How to deactivate your account in five steps

Open LinkedIn in a web browser (the mobile app does not have this option). Click your profile photo in the top right corner, then select Settings and privacy. On the left sidebar, click Account preferences, then scroll down and click Deactivate account.

LinkedIn will ask why you are leaving. You can skip this or pick a reason — it does not affect whether your account closes. Click Deactivate to confirm. Your profile disappears from search results and your connections' feeds when ready. You will be logged out.

Your data stays on LinkedIn's servers for 30 days. If you log back in anytime during that month, your account reactivates and your profile, messages, and connections return exactly as they were.

How to permanently delete your account after deactivation

If you deactivated your account and want to make the closure permanent, you do not need to do anything. After 30 days of inactivity, LinkedIn automatically converts your deactivated account to a deleted one. The account cannot be recovered after that point.

If you want to skip the 30-day waiting period and delete when ready, contact LinkedIn Support through the Help Center. Go to Help in the footer, search for "delete account," and select the option to contact support. Explain that you want when ready deletion rather than deactivation. LinkedIn will process the request, though response times vary.

Once deleted, your profile, messages, connections, and all associated data are gone. LinkedIn will not restore the account under any circumstances, even if you change your mind the next day.

What happens to your data and connections

Your connections are not notified when you deactivate or delete. They will straightforward see that your profile no longer appears in their network. Any messages you sent remain in their inboxes, but they cannot reply to you or view your profile.

If you have downloaded your data before closing your account, you will have copies of your messages, connections list, and profile information. LinkedIn allows you to read your data anytime through Settings and privacy > Data privacy > Get a copy of your data. This takes a few days to process and arrives as a ZIP file.

Recommendations you gave to others stay visible to those people, but your name no longer appears as the recommender once your account is deleted. Job postings you created as a recruiter will be removed.

Why you might deactivate instead of delete

Deactivation makes sense if you are taking a break but might return, or if you want to test life without LinkedIn before committing to deletion. The 30-day window is a safety net — you can reactivate without losing anything.

Deletion is right if you are certain you will not use LinkedIn again and do not want your data stored on their servers. Some people delete because they object to how LinkedIn uses data, or because they are switching to a different professional network entirely.

If you work in a field where LinkedIn is standard (recruiting, sales, consulting), deactivation may be smarter than deletion. You can always reactivate later if your job search or networking needs change.

Troubleshooting: what to do if you cannot find the deactivate button

The deactivate option only appears in the web version of LinkedIn, not in the mobile app. If you are using a phone or tablet, open LinkedIn in your mobile browser instead of the app, then follow the steps above.

If you are logged in on a work computer and your company manages your LinkedIn account, you may not see the deactivate option. Contact your company's IT department or LinkedIn administrator — they control whether employees can close their own accounts.

If the button still does not appear, try clearing your browser cache and cookies, then log out and back in. If that does not work, contact LinkedIn Support through the Help Center and describe what you see.

What to do before you close your account

read your data if you want to keep a record of your connections, messages, or profile information. This takes a few days, so start the process before you deactivate. Go to Settings and privacy > Data privacy > Get a copy of your data, then wait for the ZIP file to arrive in your email.

Take screenshots of any recommendations or endorsements you want to remember. Once your account is deleted, these are gone. If you have a resume or portfolio, make sure it is updated and stored outside LinkedIn.

Tell people who might need to reach you that you are closing your account. Share your email address or phone number with colleagues or clients you want to stay in touch with. LinkedIn does not forward messages after your account closes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reactivate my account after 30 days?

No. Once the 30-day deactivation period ends, your account is permanently deleted and cannot be restored. If you think you might return, do not let the 30 days pass without logging in. Log back in anytime during that month to reactivate.

Will my employer or connections know I closed my account?

They will not receive a notification. Your profile will straightforward disappear from their view. If they search for you, they will not find your profile, but they will not know whether you deactivated, deleted, or just changed your privacy settings.

What happens to my LinkedIn messages after I close my account?

Messages you received stay in other people's inboxes, but they cannot reply to you or see your profile. Messages you sent remain visible to the recipients. Once your account is deleted, people cannot click on your name to view your profile, but the message text itself stays.

Do I have to delete my connections before closing my account?

No. LinkedIn removes your connections automatically when your account closes. You do not need to unfriend or remove anyone first. Your connections will straightforward see that you are no longer in their network.

Can I delete my account when ready instead of waiting 30 days?

Yes. Contact LinkedIn Support through the Help Center, search for "delete account," and request when ready deletion. LinkedIn will process the request, though it may take several days. After that, your account cannot be recovered.