--- title: "Activate or deactivate reader" slug: "activate-or-deactivate-reader" description: "Suspend reader access in Document360 without deletion. Easily reactivate later while retaining profile and analytics. Manage users effectively today!" updated: 2026-06-16T10:45:28Z published: 2026-06-16T10:45:28Z canonical: "docs.document360.com/activate-or-deactivate-reader" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.document360.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Activate or deactivate reader Deactivating a reader in Document360 suspends their access to the knowledge base site without deleting their account. Deactivated readers retain their profile, content access settings, analytics data, and feedback. You can reactivate a deactivated reader at any time to restore their access. --- ## When to activate or deactivate a reader **Deactivate when:** - A reader is on extended leave and should not have access during that period. - A reader's access needs to be suspended temporarily pending a review. **Activate when:** - A previously deactivated reader needs access restored. - A reader's suspension period has ended and access should resume. --- ## Before you begin - You must have the **Admin** or **Owner** portal role, or a custom role with **Manage user** permission. - Deactivation is reversible — the reader's account settings are fully preserved and can be restored. - If you want to permanently remove an account, use [Delete a reader](/help/docs/delete-reader) instead. --- ## How to deactivate a reader 1. Navigate to **Settings** (

) > **Users and security** in the left navigation bar of the knowledge base portal. 2. In the left navigation pane, navigate to **Readers & groups** > **Readers**. 3. Select the desired reader and click **Deactivate** at the top. The **Confirm reader deactivation** panel appears. 4. Click **Deactivate**. Confirm reader deactivation dialog with the deactivate button highlighted.

NOTE
When a reader is deactivated, their analytical data and feedback are retained, but access to the knowledge base site is revoked.

--- ## How to reactivate a reader 1. Select one or more deactivated readers. 2. Click **Activate**. 3. Click **Confirm** in the **Confirm reader activation** panel. --- ## Limitations | Limit | Detail | |---|---| | Data retention | Analytics data and feedback are retained when a reader is deactivated. | | Account settings | All content access settings and group memberships are preserved during deactivation. | | Account slot | A deactivated reader still occupies a reader account slot on your plan. To free the slot, delete the account. | --- ## Best practices - Prefer deactivation over deletion for readers who may need access again in the future. Reactivating a deactivated reader is faster than recreating an account and reassigning access. - Use the **Filter** feature to find all inactive readers before performing bulk actions. Filter by **Status: Inactive** to see all deactivated accounts at once. See [Filter and export readers](/help/docs/filter-and-export-readers). --- ## FAQ

Does a deactivated reader still count toward my reader account limit?

Yes. A deactivated reader still occupies a slot on your plan. Delete the account if you need to free that slot.

Can a deactivated reader still log in?

No. Access to the knowledge base site is revoked when a reader is deactivated. They cannot log in until the account is reactivated.

What is the difference between deactivating and deleting a reader?

Deactivation suspends access while keeping the account intact — it can be undone at any time. Deletion permanently removes the account and cannot be reversed. Use deactivation when access may need to be restored later.