How to Deactivate LinkedIn Account – Step-by-Step Guide

This document provides a comprehensive guide on the process of deactivating your LinkedIn account. Follow these steps to successfully deactivate your account while ensuring all necessary criteria are met.

Whether you're taking a break or leaving the platform permanently, LinkedIn offers two options: hibernate (temporary) or close (permanent). Here’s how to proceed:

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Access Your Account Settings

   • Click your profile picture in the top right corner of the LinkedIn homepage.

   • Select "Settings & Privacy" from the dropdown.

2. Go to Account Preferences

   • In the left-hand menu, click on "Account preferences."

3. Find the Account Management Section

   • Scroll down to "Account management."

4. Choose Your Option

   • To hibernate your account (temporary):
     Click "Hibernate account" and follow the prompts.

   • To close your account (permanent):
     Click "Close account", then confirm your reason, enter your password, and complete the process.

Key Differences:

• Hibernating Your Account

  • Temporarily hides your profile and activity.

  • You won't appear in searches or receive messages.

  • You can reactivate anytime by logging back in.

• Closing Your Account

  • Permanently deletes your profile, connections, and messages.

  • Cannot be undone after completion.

Step-by-Step-Guide: how to deactivate linkedln account

Step 1

Click on the Me option.

Step 2

Select Settings and Privacy.

Step 3

Click on the hibernate account .

Step 4

You will be directed to a page where you will see hibernate again. Click on it,

Step 5

Then choose a particular reason,

Step 6

Then click on next .

Step 7

Enter your password in this field, and then click on the hibernate account.

This is the step-by-step process to deactivate your LinkedIn account. Let’s look at some tips for it.

Pro tips for deactivating your LinkedIn Account

• Backup Your LinkedIn Data Before Deactivation – If you need to keep a record of your LinkedIn connections, messages, or posts, download your data before deactivating. Go to Settings & Privacy > Get a copy of your data and request an archive.

• Consider Temporarily Deactivating Instead of Permanent Deletion – If you only want to take a break from LinkedIn without losing your profile, consider hibernating your account instead of deleting it permanently. This allows you to return later without rebuilding your network.

• Remove or Update External LinkedIn Logins – If you use LinkedIn to log in to third-party apps, such as job boards or learning platforms, update those login details before deactivating to avoid access issues.

Common pitfalls & how to avoid them

• Not Downloading Your Data – Once your account is deleted, you cannot retrieve your connections, messages, or profile details. Always export your LinkedIn data before deactivating.

• LinkedIn Account Not Deleting Immediately – LinkedIn may take up to 14 days to fully delete your account. However, some data, like messages sent to others, may remain visible even after deactivation.

• Forgetting to Cancel Premium Before Deactivation – If you forget to cancel a Premium, Sales Navigator, or Recruiter account, your LinkedIn profile won’t be deleted. Always downgrade to a free plan first before deactivation.

Common FAQs for deactivating LinkedIn

• Can i reactivate my LinkedIn account after deactivating it?
  No, once your LinkedIn account is permanently deleted, it cannot be restored. However, if you choose hibernation mode, you can reactivate it later.

• How long does it take for LinkedIn to delete my account?
  LinkedIn takes up to 14 days to fully delete your account. Some data, like messages sent to others, may remain visible even after deactivation.

• What happens to my LinkedIn messages and connections after deactivation?
  Your profile, connections, endorsements, and recommendations will be permanently deleted. Messages sent to others will still be visible to recipients.

• Can i deactivate LinkedIn without canceling my Premium subscription?
  No, you must cancel any active Premium, Sales Navigator, or Recruiter subscription before deactivating your LinkedIn account.

• How to screen record on mac? 

  To screen record on a Mac, you can use Trupeer AI. It allows you to capture the entire screen and provides AI capabilities such as adding AI avatars, add voiceover, add zoom in and out in the video. With trupeer’s AI video translation feature, you can translate the video into 30+ languages. 

• How to add an AI avatar to screen recording?

  To add an AI avatar to a screen recording, you'll need to use an AI screen recording tool. Trupeer AI is an AI screen recording tool, which helps you create videos with multiple avatars, also helps you in creating your own avatar for the video.

• How to screen record on windows?

  To screen record on Windows, you can use the built-in Game Bar (Windows + G) or advanced AI tool like Trupeer AI for more advanced features such as AI avatars, voiceover, translation etc.

• How to add voiceover to video?
  To add voiceover to videos, download trupeer ai chrome extension. Once signed up, upload your video with voice, choose the desired voiceover from trupeer and export your edited video. 

• How do I Zoom in on a screen recording?

  To zoom in during a screen recording, use the zoom effects in Trupeer AI which allows you to zoom in and out at specific moments, enhancing the visual impact of your video content.