LinkedIn lets you delete your account, but the process takes time and has a waiting period

When you delete a LinkedIn account, the company does not remove it when ready. Instead, LinkedIn puts your account into a 30-day waiting period. During those 30 days, you can change your mind and reactivate everything. After 30 days pass, LinkedIn permanently deletes your profile, connections, messages, and all associated data.

The deletion is different from deactivation. If you deactivate instead, your profile becomes invisible to other users, but LinkedIn keeps your data and you can reactivate anytime. Deletion is the permanent option — after the 30 days end, you cannot get the account back.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting your LinkedIn account starts a 30-day waiting period; you can cancel the deletion during this time by signing back in.
  • After 30 days, LinkedIn permanently removes your profile, messages, connections, and all data with no way to recover it.
  • Deactivation hides your profile but keeps your data; deletion removes everything.
  • You must delete through your account settings on a computer or phone — LinkedIn does not process deletion requests by email.

How to start the deletion process

Go to LinkedIn.com and sign in with your email and password. Click your profile photo in the top right corner, then select Settings and privacy from the dropdown menu. On the left side, click Account preferences, then scroll down and click Close account.

LinkedIn will ask you why you are leaving. You can select a reason from the list or leave it blank — your answer does not affect whether the deletion goes through. After you select a reason, click Continue. LinkedIn will show you a warning that explains what happens: your profile disappears, your connections cannot message you through LinkedIn, and your data is deleted after 30 days.

Read the checkbox that says you understand the consequences, check it, then click Delete account. LinkedIn will send a confirmation email to the address on file. Your account is now in deletion mode.

What happens during the 30-day waiting period

For the next 30 days, your profile is hidden from other LinkedIn users. People cannot find you through search, see your posts, or view your connections. However, you can still sign in to your account during this window. If you change your mind, straightforward log in and your account reactivates when ready with everything restored.

LinkedIn keeps your data on its servers during these 30 days in case you want to undo the deletion. After day 30 ends, the company removes your profile picture, headline, work history, messages, and all other information. There is no recovery option after this point.

If you want to cancel the deletion before day 30

Go to LinkedIn.com and sign in with your email and password as you normally would. Your account will reactivate automatically. Your profile, connections, and messages return to normal visibility. You do not need to contact LinkedIn support or take any additional steps — logging in is enough.

If you cannot remember your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login page. LinkedIn will send a reset link to your email. Once you reset it and log in, your account is active again.

Deactivation as an alternative to deletion

If you want to step away from LinkedIn without losing your data permanently, deactivation is an option. Deactivated accounts are invisible to other users — your profile does not appear in searches, and people cannot see your activity. However, LinkedIn keeps all your information, and you can reactivate anytime by logging back in.

To deactivate instead of delete, go to Settings and privacy, click Account preferences, and select Deactivate account instead of Close account. Deactivation takes effect when ready, and you can reactivate by signing in at any point in the future.

What to do before you delete

Before you start the deletion process, read your data if you want to keep a copy. Go to Settings and privacy, click Data privacy, then select Get a copy of your data. LinkedIn will prepare a file with your profile information, connections list, and messages. You will receive an email with a read link within a few hours.

You may also want to note your connections' email addresses or phone numbers if you plan to stay in touch with them outside LinkedIn. Once your account is deleted, you lose access to your connections list and cannot easily reach people you worked with.

Common reasons the deletion does not work

If you click Delete account but nothing happens, clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again. Sometimes outdated cached data prevents the deletion page from loading correctly. You can also try a different browser or device.

If you see an error message, make sure you are using the correct password and that your account is not locked. LinkedIn locks accounts temporarily if it detects unusual activity. If your account is locked, check your email for a message from LinkedIn with instructions to unlock it. You must unlock it before you can delete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my LinkedIn account on the mobile app?

Yes. Open the LinkedIn app, tap your profile photo, go to Settings and privacy, then Account preferences, and tap Close account. The process is the same as on a computer. You will still have 30 days to change your mind.

What happens to my messages after I delete my account?

Your messages are deleted from your account after the 30-day period ends. However, messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes — they can still see what you wrote to them. Your name will appear as a deleted user in their message history.

Will deleting my LinkedIn account affect my job or background checks?

No. Employers and background check companies do not rely on LinkedIn to verify employment history. Your work history exists in company records, tax documents, and references. Deleting LinkedIn does not change what employers can verify about you.

Can I use the same email address to create a new LinkedIn account after deletion?

Yes, but only after the 30-day waiting period ends. Once your account is fully deleted, you can sign up for a new LinkedIn account using the same email address. If you try before day 30, LinkedIn will tell you the email is still in use.

What if I delete my account but then want to reactivate it after 30 days?

Once 30 days pass, your account is permanently deleted and cannot be reactivated. You would need to create a brand new account from scratch. This is why the 30-day waiting period exists — it gives you time to change your mind before the deletion becomes permanent.