How to Recover LinkedIn Account

If you’ve been on LinkedIn, and heavily rely on it to keep track of the global business world, trends, and marketplaces, then you probably know the feeling of losing access to your account. Losing access to your LinkedIn account is stressful. It gives you the feeling of being forcefully cut off from your professional network and opportunities. If this situation is no stranger to you, then you shouldn’t panic. It doesn’t matter if you’ve forgotten your LinkedIn password, lost access to your email, or even suspect your account has been compromised. This guide shows you the best ways to recover LinkedIn account and how to prevent future lockouts. 

TIP – If creating a secure password for your LinkedIn account is what’s causing a lockout, then it’s best to use a password manager. FastestPass helps create strong passwords, which you can store securely in a password vault, with access given to only you.

How to Recover LinkedIn Account (Step-by-Step Guide)

You created your LinkedIn almost 12 years ago, and you have attempted to use it after ages. You try to sign in, but keep getting the incorrect password or username error code. 

What do you do then? Is there a way to recover your locked LinkedIn account? This guide will walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to get started: 

Method 1: LinkedIn Account Password Reset

This is the first and fastest step to recovering your LinkedIn account. However, this step helps if you remember your email or phone number. Here is how to get started: 

• Open LinkedIn and head to the login page.
• Click on “Forgot password?“
• Now, you will be asked to enter the email address or phone number associated with your account.
• A code will be sent. Check your email inbox or phone for the security code.
• Copy and paste the code in the field on the LinkedIn website. 
• Once you enter it, create a new, strong password immediately. You can use a password manager to create the best one. 
• Now, recover LinkedIn account by signing in with your new password. 

Method 2: Recover LinkedIn Account Without Email/Phone Access

Now, method 1 is the best way, but what if you no longer have access to the recovery options on file? LinkedIn always requires identity verification. Here’s what you can do: 

• Now, once you’re on the password reset page and entered your email, click on “Can’t access your email?” or “Can’t access your phone?“
• You will be redirected to a secure identity verification form. You will need to provide the following information: 
  • Your full name, which is mentioned on your LinkedIn profile.
  • The last company you worked for and listed on your profile.
  • Your last or current job title that you updated on your profile.
• After this, for additional verification, be prepared to upload a copy of your government-issued ID. This can include a driver’s license or passport. This is needed by LinkedIn’s “Trust & Safety” team to confirm your identity. You don’t have to worry, as they don’t store the images.

Method 3: Recover Hacked or Compromised LinkedIn Account

If your LinkedIn password and email are something that you use for all social media apps and are not working on LinkedIn only, then you could suspect unauthorized activity. Here is what to do: 

• Immediately head to LinkedIn’s “Account Compromised” help page.
• Select “Submit a request” to report the issue.
• Now, provide all the account details and ensure that the description of the problem is clear. For instance, mention “I cannot log in, and my profile has been changed without my permission.”
• The LinkedIn support team will then guide you through a specialized recovery process to secure your account.

Method 4: Directly Contact LinkedIn Support

If all the methods above are not of any help, or if your issue hasn’t been resolved, the last step is to contact LinkedIn support for direct assistance. Here’s how to go about it: 

• Go to the LinkedIn “Help Center.”
• Use the search bar and look for topics like “account access” or “login issues.”
• Once you find the relevant article, look for a “Contact us” link. It is usually at the bottom of the page.
• Fill out the support form with detailed and accurate information to get the fastest assistance.

After You Submit a LinkedIn Account Recovery Request

Now that you’ve used any one of the methods above, and if you’ve used the customer form to file out your recovery request, you need to wait a bit. LinkedIn’s support team typically responds within 24-72 hours. 

Ensure you go through all the folders of your email (including your spam folder) since the messages often get misplaced. The verification process can take a few business days, especially if it involves manual review of your ID.

Recovering a locked LinkedIn account is usually a straightforward process if you follow the correct steps. For the best results, ensure your provided information is accurate and that you use LinkedIn’s official tools. This will help you reconnect with your professional community.

How to Prevent Future LinkedIn Account Access Issues

You’ve fixed the issue; what’s next? What if you get locked out of your LinkedIn account again? Here’s how to prevent it from happening again: 

• Always update your recovery information: Always ensure that the email address and phone number you register with LinkedIn are active and currently in use. 
• Create strong and unique passwords: We can’t emphasize on this enough. Always combine letters, numbers, and symbols. Also, try to avoid reusing passwords from other sites.
• Enable two-step verification: For this, go to “Settings & Privacy” > “Sign in & security” > “Two-step verification.” This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code each time you try signing in from an unrecognized device. 

Frequently Asked Questions

To Conclude

The next time you forget your LinkedIn password, the methods above are the quickest ways to recover LinkedIn account. However, if the issue lies in not remembering your password or the email you created, you can use a password manager for it. You will be able to create stronger passwords and store them, along with other important data, in its security vault. To get access to them, you will need to remember the master password.