---
type: howto
---

# Activating and deactivating users

## Deactivating a user

> [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/issues/63921) in GitLab 12.4.

In order to temporarily prevent access by a GitLab user that has no recent activity, administrators can choose to deactivate the user.

Deactivating a user is functionally identical to [blocking a user](blocking_unblocking_users.md), with the following differences:

- It does not prohibit the user from logging back in via the UI.
- Once a deactivated user logs back into the GitLab UI, their account is set to active.

A deactivated user:

- Cannot access Git repositories or the API.
- Will not receive any notifications from GitLab.
- Will not be able to use [slash commands](../../../integration/slash_commands.md).

Personal projects, group and user history of the deactivated user will be left intact.

A user can be deactivated from the Admin area. To do this:

1. Navigate to  **Admin Area > Overview > Users**.
1. Select a user.
1. Under the **Account** tab, click **Deactivate user**.

Please note that for the deactivation option to be visible to an admin, the user:

- Must be currently active.
- Should not have any activity in the last 180 days.

Users can also be deactivated using the [GitLab API](../../../api/users.html#deactivate-user).

NOTE: **Note:**
A deactivated user does not consume a [seat](../../../subscriptions/index.md#managing-subscriptions).

## Activating a user

> [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/issues/63921) in GitLab 12.4.

A deactivated user can be activated from the Admin area.

To do this:

1. Navigate to  **Admin Area > Overview > Users**.
1. Click on the **Deactivated** tab.
1. Select a user.
1. Under the **Account** tab, click **Activate user**.

Users can also be activated using the [GitLab API](../../../api/users.html#activate-user).

NOTE: **Note:**
Activating a user will change the user's state to active and it consumes a [seat](../../../subscriptions/index.md#managing-subscriptions).

TIP: **Tip:**
A deactivated user can also activate their account by themselves by simply logging back via the UI.