LinkedIn account deletion is permanent and takes 30 days
When you delete your LinkedIn account, the company gives you 30 days to change your mind. During that month, your profile is hidden from search results and other users cannot contact you, but LinkedIn keeps your data in case you want to reactivate. After 30 days, your account, messages, connections, and all associated information are permanently removed from LinkedIn's servers.
You cannot straightforward deactivate LinkedIn the way you can pause some subscriptions. Deletion is the only way to fully remove yourself. If you have a paid LinkedIn subscription (Premium, Sales Navigator, or Recruiter), cancelling your account will also stop those charges when ready.
Key Takeaways
- LinkedIn account deletion takes 30 days to become permanent, and you can reactivate during that window by signing back in.
- Any active paid subscriptions stop charging the moment you delete your account.
- You must delete through your account settings on a computer or phone — LinkedIn does not process deletions through email or support tickets.
- After 30 days, your profile, messages, and all data are gone permanently and cannot be recovered.
How to delete your account on desktop
Open LinkedIn in a web browser and sign in to your account. Click your profile photo in the top right corner, then select Settings and privacy from the dropdown menu.
On the settings page, click the Account preferences tab on the left side. Scroll down until you see Account management and click Deactivate account. LinkedIn will ask you why you are leaving — you can select a reason or skip this step. Then click Deactivate to confirm.
LinkedIn will show you a final warning that your account will be deleted in 30 days. Your profile when ready becomes invisible to other users, but you can still sign back in during the 30-day window to cancel the deletion. After 30 days pass without you logging in, the deletion becomes permanent.
How to delete your account on mobile
Open the LinkedIn app and tap your profile photo at the bottom of the screen. Scroll to the top and tap Settings (the gear icon).
Tap Account and privacy, then Account. Scroll down and tap Deactivate account. Select a reason if prompted, then tap Deactivate to confirm. Your account enters the same 30-day deletion window as the desktop process.
What happens to your paid subscriptions
If you have LinkedIn Premium, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, or LinkedIn Recruiter, your subscription charges stop when ready when you delete your account. You will not be charged again during the 30-day waiting period or after your account is permanently deleted.
If you were charged recently and want a refund, you will need to contact LinkedIn Support before you delete your account. Once your account is deleted, LinkedIn cannot process refund requests. Go to the Help Center, select your subscription type, and look for the refund or cancellation policy for your region.
How to reactivate your account during the 30-day window
If you change your mind within 30 days, straightforward sign back into LinkedIn with your email and password. Your profile, connections, messages, and all settings will be restored exactly as they were. LinkedIn will cancel the deletion process automatically.
You do not need to contact support or take any special action — logging in is enough. After you reactivate, your account functions normally again. If you had a paid subscription before deletion, you will need to renew it separately.
What you lose when your account is permanently deleted
After 30 days, LinkedIn permanently removes your profile from its servers. This means your connections cannot see your profile or message history with you. Any recommendations or endorsements you received are deleted. Your job history, education, and skills are gone.
LinkedIn does not transfer your data to you before deletion, so if you want to keep a record of your connections or recommendations, read or screenshot them before you delete your account. Some users take photos of their profile or export their connections list to a spreadsheet as a backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my account without waiting 30 days?
No. LinkedIn requires the 30-day waiting period for all account deletions. You cannot speed up the process or request when ready deletion. The delay exists so you can change your mind if you delete by mistake.
Will deleting my LinkedIn account affect my job or background checks?
Once your account is permanently deleted, employers and recruiters cannot view your profile. If someone has already screenshotted or saved your profile information, that copy remains with them. Deletion only removes your profile from LinkedIn's platform.
What if I forgot my password and cannot sign in to delete my account?
Use LinkedIn's password reset tool on the login page. Enter your email address, and LinkedIn will send you a reset link. Once you regain access, follow the deletion steps above. If you cannot access your email either, contact LinkedIn Support for help recovering your account.
Do I need to cancel my subscription before deleting my account?
No. Deleting your account automatically stops all subscription charges. You do not need to cancel Premium or other paid services separately. However, if you want a refund for recent charges, contact support before you delete.
Can LinkedIn recover my account after the 30 days are up?
No. After 30 days, your account and all associated data are permanently deleted from LinkedIn's servers. LinkedIn cannot restore accounts after this important date. If you think you might want your account back, reactivate it during the 30-day window.