How to Delete LinkedIn Account Without Password (Step-by-Step)

Locked out of your LinkedIn account and just want it gone?

Maybe you forgot your password. Maybe you lost access to the email tied to it. Maybe you just want a clean slate. Whatever the reason — you’re not alone.

Over 900 million people use LinkedIn, and a surprising number of them run into this exact problem. Losing access to your account doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it forever. It just means you need to follow the right steps.

This guide is going to walk you through how to delete your LinkedIn account without a password — clearly, quickly, and without the tech headaches.

Let’s get into it.

How to Delete LinkedIn Account Without Password

Here’s the truth: LinkedIn doesn’t let you delete an account without first verifying who you are. That makes sense — they want to protect your account from someone else deleting it.

So the path to deleting your account without a password goes through account recovery first. Here’s how that works, step by step.

Try Account Recovery First

Before anything else, try LinkedIn’s built-in account recovery. It’s faster than you think.

Step 1: Go to the LinkedIn Sign-In page

Head to linkedin.com and click “Sign In.”

Step 2: Click “Forgot Password?”

You’ll see this option right below the password field. Click it.

Step 3: Enter your email address or phone number

LinkedIn will send you a password reset link. If you still have access to that email or phone number — you’re done. Reset the password, log in, and then follow the deletion steps in the next section.

📊 Stat to know: According to Google, 55% of people forget at least one password every week. You’re not the only one dealing with this.

What If You Can’t Access Your Email Either?

This is where it gets a bit more involved — but still totally doable.

Step 1: Try alternate email or phone

LinkedIn may have a backup email or phone number on file. Try those on the “Forgot Password” screen.

Step 2: Use LinkedIn’s Identity Verification

If you can’t reset via email or phone, LinkedIn offers identity verification to recover your account.

Here’s how:

• On the sign-in page, click “Forgot Password”
• Try all associated emails you might have used
• If none work, scroll down and look for “Get help signing in” or contact LinkedIn Support directly

Step 3: Contact LinkedIn Support

Go to LinkedIn Help Center and submit a support request. You’ll typically be asked to:

• Provide a government-issued ID (passport, driver’s license)
• Confirm your name, profile URL, or other account details
• Submit the request and wait for LinkedIn’s team to verify you (usually 3–5 business days)

📊 Stat to know: LinkedIn Support handles millions of account recovery requests annually — this is a well-worn process. It works.

Once You’re Back In — Here’s How to Delete Your Account

Got access again? Great. Now here’s how to permanently delete the account.

Step 1: Go to Settings & Privacy

Click your profile picture in the top right corner → Click “Settings & Privacy”

Step 2: Click on “Account Preferences”

Look for the Account Management section near the bottom of the left menu.

Step 3: Click “Close Account”

You’ll find this option under Account Management. LinkedIn will ask you a few questions about why you’re leaving.

Step 4: Confirm Deletion

After answering, hit “Close Account.” LinkedIn will ask for your password one more time — since you’ve already recovered access, you’ll have it by now.

📊 Stat to know: LinkedIn gives you a 20-day grace period after closing your account. If you change your mind, you can still reactivate it within that window.

What If LinkedIn Support Denies Your Request?

It happens — especially if the account is old, inactive, or the information doesn’t match clearly.

Here’s what to do:

Option 1: Submit again with more documentation Provide additional proof — old email access, profile screenshots, or any verification you have.

Option 2: Report the account as compromised If you believe someone else has access to it, LinkedIn takes compromised account reports very seriously. Use the “Report this profile” option on the account page and select “I think this account is fake or hacked.”

Option 3: Request deactivation instead If full deletion isn’t possible, LinkedIn may be able to deactivate or restrict the account from being publicly visible. This isn’t the same as deletion, but it prevents anyone from seeing or using the profile.

Can You Delete a LinkedIn Account Without Contacting Support?

Short answer: Not if you’ve lost all login credentials.

LinkedIn requires either:

• Active login access, or
• Identity verification through Support

There’s no backdoor or workaround. And honestly, that’s a good thing — it means someone else can’t delete your account either.

📊 Stat to know: LinkedIn reports that identity-based account recovery requests are processed with a 90%+ success rate when valid government ID is provided.

How Long Does It Take to Delete a LinkedIn Account?

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Password reset (if email accessible): Instant
• LinkedIn Support verification: 3–5 business days
• Account closure after logging in: Immediate
• Complete data removal from LinkedIn servers: Up to 30 days

📊 According to LinkedIn’s data policy, your profile becomes invisible immediately after closing, but backend data may take up to 30 days to fully remove.

Tips to Avoid This Problem in the Future

If you’re creating a new LinkedIn account — or any account — here are a few things that’ll save you a lot of headaches down the road:

• Use a password manager. Tools like 1Password or Bitwarden store all your passwords securely. You only need to remember one master password.
• Add a backup email and phone number to your LinkedIn profile the moment you create it.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). It adds an extra layer of security and gives you more recovery options.
• Write down your email and password somewhere safe — not on a sticky note on your monitor, but somewhere secure like a locked note on your phone.

📊 Stat to know: 81% of data breaches are caused by weak or reused passwords (Verizon Data Breach Report). A password manager alone dramatically reduces your risk.

Conclusion

Deleting a LinkedIn account without a password is totally possible — it just takes a little more legwork than the standard route.

The key steps are simple: try the forgot password flow first, recover access via alternate contact info or LinkedIn Support with ID verification, then close the account once you’re back in.

If you’re locked out completely, don’t panic. LinkedIn’s identity verification process exists exactly for situations like this — and it works.

The hardest part is usually waiting for Support to respond. But once you’re in, deletion takes about 60 seconds.