How to deactivate a Facebook account

Updated: 09/03/2019 by Computer Hope
Facebook logo

While Facebook is quite popular, sometimes people want to stop using their account for one reason or another. The following process deactivates your Facebook account and page, allowing you to return to Facebook in the future if you choose to do so.

Note

Deactivating your account is not the same as deleting your Facebook account. For help with permanently deleting your Facebook account, see: How to delete my Facebook account.

Warning

Deactivating your account does not protect it from hackers.

Deactivating a Facebook account

  1. Log into Facebook.

Facebook log in section.

  1. On the homepage menu bar, click Facebook drop-down arrow. the far right side.

Facebook menu bar.

  1. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.

Facebook Settings selector.

  1. Select General from the left column.

Facebook General selector.

  1. Under the Manage Account section, click Edit on the far right side.

Edit in the Manage Account section of Facebook.

  1. Select Deactivate your account.

Facebook deactivate your account link.

  1. Enter your Facebook Password.
  2. Select a reason for leaving and click the Facebook deactivate button. button.
  3. Click the Facebook Deactivate Now button. button.
Note

If you check the box next to E-mail opt out, you will no longer be visible to friends on Facebook. Furthermore, you can't receive invites, be tagged in photos, or asked to join groups.