Reopen a Closed LinkedIn Account: The 14-Day Window

Closing a LinkedIn account is not immediately final. LinkedIn gives a short window to change your mind, and reopening during it restores most of your profile. Some parts do not come back, and once the window closes there is no way to reopen. This guide sets out the window, the steps, what you keep and lose, and what to do if the problem is really a restriction or a hack rather than a closure.

Last checked: 20 October 2026 against LinkedIn Help.

#Can I reopen my closed LinkedIn account?

LinkedIn says you can reopen your account if it was closed less than 14 days ago (LinkedIn Help). After that, the closure stands.

#How do I reopen it?

1. Go to the LinkedIn sign-in page.
2. Sign in with the email address and password of the closed account.
3. Select Reactivate when LinkedIn offers it.
4. Open the confirmation email LinkedIn sends and follow the link to confirm.

#What comes back and what does not?

This follows LinkedIn's reopen guidance (LinkedIn Help). Plan to ask contacts again for recommendations you valued, and to rejoin groups and re-follow pages.

#Closed, restricted or hacked: which is it?

#What if I cannot sign in to reopen?

If you forgot the password, reset it first, then sign in and reactivate. If you are stuck at two-step verification, LinkedIn says to choose verify your identity on the prompt, which uses its partner Persona to check a government-issued ID and sometimes a photo of yourself (LinkedIn Help). Do this early, so the 14-day window does not run out while you wait.

#Before you close an account again

• Ask for copies of recommendations you want to keep, since they do not return after reopening.
• Note the groups you belong to and the pages you follow.
• If you use Recruiter, Campaign Manager or Sales Navigator, remember they rely on your LinkedIn.com account and need two-step verification on (LinkedIn Help).
• Consider simply signing out for a while if you only want a break.

#A short checklist if you closed it recently

1. Count the days since closing; you need fewer than 14.
2. Confirm you can still open the account's email.
3. Sign in, select Reactivate and confirm by email.
4. Rejoin groups and re-follow pages.
5. Ask trusted contacts to re-add recommendations if they matter to you.

If the 14 days have already passed, LinkedIn's guidance means you will need to create a new account. Use a current email address, turn on two-step verification from the start and add a backup email or phone number.

#How identity verification works if you are stuck

LinkedIn's identity check is run by its partner Persona. LinkedIn says you upload a digital ID or a clear photo of a valid government-issued ID card, driving licence or passport, and in some cases take a photo of yourself so Persona can check your face matches the ID. On a desktop you can scan a QR code to continue on your phone. You choose the issuing country, agree to Persona's terms and privacy policy, allow camera access and photograph the ID clearly before sharing the result with LinkedIn. LinkedIn says library and school ID cards are not accepted, and that all parts of the ID should be readable (LinkedIn Help).

#Setting up the reopened account securely

Once the account is back, take a few minutes to secure it. LinkedIn lets you turn on two-step verification with an authenticator app, such as Microsoft Authenticator, or with a phone number that receives SMS codes. LinkedIn says the number you add is not shown on your profile. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Sign in and security, then Two-step verification. LinkedIn also notes that turning two-step verification off makes it forget all previously recognised devices, so if you ever switch it off and on again, expect to verify each device afresh (LinkedIn Help).

It is also worth checking the email addresses and phone numbers on the account, removing any you no longer use and adding a second email as a backup. That way, if you ever need to reset your password or confirm a reactivation again, the message reaches an inbox you can open. Review where you are signed in and sign out of any session you do not recognise.

Finally, keep a note of the date you closed the account and the date the window ends. Fourteen days pass quickly, and a password reset or identity check can take time, so start any access fixes on the first day rather than the last.

#Common mistakes

• Waiting until after 14 days to try reopening.
• Losing access to the email LinkedIn uses to confirm reactivation.
• Expecting endorsements and recommendations to return.
• Confusing a LinkedIn restriction with a closure and waiting for it to lift.

#Watch out for recovery scams

LinkedIn's own settings, help pages and forms are the official routes. Anyone who messages you offering to restore or unlock your account, or who asks for your password, codes or recovery details, is not part of that process. Never share them. Our guide on spotting fake recovery services lists the warning signs.

#What are the realistic limits?

LinkedIn controls closures and sets the 14-day reopen window. Some profile items do not return after reopening, and accounts cannot be reopened after 14 days. Restrictions follow a separate appeal route, covered in LinkedIn account restricted.

AwareXone helps people review account access and security through official platform routes. We are independent and not affiliated with LinkedIn, the work is best-effort, and LinkedIn makes the final decision. Read more about our social media problem solutions.