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+---
+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.