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How to Reactivate a Slack Member

Click three dots (top right in Slack)→ Workspace Directory→ gear icon→ Show all members→ find deactivated member→ click three dots next to their name→ Activate account. Then send them a new Slack invite link via email or https://slack.com/signin/find.

Patrick B avatar
Written by Patrick B
Updated today

When You Need This

Common Scenarios

You might need to reactivate a member when:

  • Member was accidentally deactivated

  • Member canceled subscription but wants to rejoin

  • Payment failed and member was auto-removed

  • Member rejoined and needs access restored

  • Technical issue caused deactivation

  • Administrative error needs fixing

Note: Reactivating gives them access back. They'll also need a valid subscription through LaunchPass.

Understanding Deactivated Members

What "Deactivated" Means

A deactivated Slack member:

  • Cannot access workspace

  • Cannot send or receive messages

  • Doesn't appear in member list (by default)

  • Account still exists in your workspace

  • Can be reactivated

Why members get deactivated:

  • Payment failed - LaunchPass auto-removes when subscription ends

  • Manual deactivation - Admin deactivated them

  • Cancellation - Member canceled subscription

  • Expired subscription - Trial ended or membership lapsed

Reactivation vs. Re-inviting

Reactivation:

  • Member's account already exists

  • Just turning it back on

  • Keeps their message history

  • Faster process

Re-inviting (if they never joined):

  • Member never had account

  • Creating new account

  • No previous history

  • Different process

This guide covers reactivation (when account already exists but is deactivated).

Step-by-Step: Reactivating a Member

Method 1: Via Workspace Directory (Recommended)

Step 1: Open Workspace Menu

  1. Open Slack (desktop or web)

  2. Look for three dots (⋮) in upper right corner

  3. Click the three dots

  4. Menu appears

Step 2: Go to Workspace Directory

  1. Look for "Workspace Directory" in menu

  2. Click it

  3. Opens workspace directory page

Step 3: Open Directory Settings

  1. Look for gear icon (⚙️) on directory page

  2. Click the gear icon

  3. Opens directory with all members

Step 4: Show All Members

  1. By default, deactivated members are hidden

  2. You'll see message: "Showing X active members"

  3. Click "Show all members" or similar option

  4. Now you see active AND deactivated members

Step 5: Find Your Member

  1. Search by email or username

  2. Deactivated members show as "Deactivated" status

  3. Find the person you want to reactivate

Step 6: Reactivate

  1. Click three dots (⋮) next to member's name

  2. Select "Activate account"

  3. Confirm if prompted

  4. Member is now reactivated ✅

Step 7: Send Invite

  1. Member needs new invite link to access Slack

  2. Send them invite (see below)

  3. They click and rejoin

Method 2: Via Workspace Name (Alternative)

Alternative approach using workspace name:

  1. Click your workspace name (top left)

  2. Select "Settings & administration"

  3. Click "Manage members"

  4. Filter to show deactivated members

  5. Click three dots next to member

  6. Select "Activate account"

Both methods work. Use whichever you find easier.

Sending the Member a New Invite

After Reactivation

Member is reactivated but needs invite to join back.

Option 1: Use Slack's Group Finder

Best for members who forgot their workspace:

  1. Direct member to https://slack.com/signin/find

  2. They enter their email address

  3. Slack sends them workspaces they're part of

  4. They click on your workspace

  5. They sign in

  6. They're back in ✅

Option 2: Generate Direct Invite Link

From Slack workspace:

  1. Click workspace name (top left)

  2. Select "Invite people to [Workspace]"

  3. Get invite link

  4. Copy the link

  5. Send to member via email or message

  6. They click and join

Option 3: Send Email Invite

From Slack directly:

  1. Click workspace name

  2. Select "Invite people"

  3. Enter member's email

  4. Click "Send Invitations"

  5. They receive email with join link

  6. They click and join

Verifying Reactivation

Check That It Worked

After reactivating:

Step 1: Check member list

  1. Go to workspace directory or member list

  2. Search for the member

  3. Status should say "Active" (not "Deactivated")

Step 2: Check in Slack channels

  1. Go to a channel they should have access to

  2. Look for their name in member list

  3. If they appear: Reactivation worked ✅

Step 3: Verify with member

  1. Ask them to try accessing Slack

  2. They should be able to log in

  3. They should see channels

If they still can't access:

  • They might need to use invite link

  • They might be using wrong email

  • Check their LaunchPass subscription is active

  • See troubleshooting below

Important: LaunchPass Subscription Status

Subscription Must Be Active

Reactivating in Slack isn't enough alone.

Member also needs:

  • ✅ Active LaunchPass subscription

  • ✅ Payment method on file

  • ✅ No "Past due" status

  • ✅ Valid membership

Check their subscription:

  1. Go to LaunchPass dashboard

  2. Find the member (by email)

  3. Check status: Active or Past due?

  4. If Past due:

    • Payment failed

    • They need to update billing

    • Or you manually reactivate in Stripe

If subscription is inactive:

  • They'll be removed again automatically

  • LaunchPass syncs with Slack

  • Fix subscription first, then reactivate Slack

Troubleshooting

"I Can't Find the Member in Directory"

Why this happens:

  • Deactivated members hidden by default

  • Wrong email address

  • Member never actually joined

  • Workspace sync issue

What to do:

  1. Click "Show all members" in directory

  2. Check you spelled email correctly

  3. Try searching by name instead

  4. Check if they ever joined (look in LaunchPass)

  5. If never joined: They need new invitation (not reactivation)

"Activate Account Button Doesn't Appear"

Why this happens:

  • You don't have admin permissions

  • Member is already active

  • Workspace role restrictions

What to do:

  1. Check your role: Are you admin?

  2. Check member status: Already active?

  3. Ask workspace owner to do it

  4. Check workspace settings for restrictions

"Member Can't Access After Reactivation"

Why this happens:

  • Didn't send them invite link

  • Using wrong email to sign in

  • LaunchPass subscription inactive

  • Browser/app cache issue

What to do:

  1. Send invite link via https://slack.com/signin/find

  2. Verify they're using correct email

  3. Check LaunchPass subscription is active

  4. Ask them to clear cache and try again

  5. Ask them to try different browser

  6. Check Slack status at https://status.slack.com/

"Member Was Reactivated But Auto-Deactivated Again"

Why this happens:

  • LaunchPass subscription is inactive

  • Payment failed

  • Auto-kick setting is on

  • Sync happened after reactivation

What to do:

  1. Check LaunchPass subscription status

  2. If Past due: Have them update payment

  3. If canceled: They need to resubscribe

  4. Fix subscription FIRST

  5. Then reactivate in Slack

  6. Should stay active now

Order matters:

  1. Fix subscription/payment

  2. Then reactivate in Slack

  3. Not the other way around

Best Practices

Before Reactivating

✅ Verify member wants back - Don't reactivate randomly

✅ Check subscription status - Make sure it's active

✅ Understand why they were deactivated - Prevent repeat issues

✅ Communicate with member - Let them know you're reactivating

✅ Prepare invite link - Have it ready to send

During Reactivation

✅ Follow steps carefully - Don't skip any

✅ Verify in directory - Make sure it worked

✅ Send invite immediately - Don't make them wait

✅ Test access - Verify they can join

After Reactivation

✅ Confirm with member - They can access?

✅ Monitor their access - Make sure it stays active

✅ Document the issue - If it was technical, note it

✅ Check subscription - Verify payment is working

✅ Welcome them back - Personal touch matters

When to Use Reactivation vs. Other Options

Use Reactivation When:

✅ Member previously had access

✅ Their account was deactivated

✅ You want to restore their access

✅ They want to rejoin

✅ Their subscription is active

Use Re-invitation When:

✅ Member never joined before

✅ They're completely new

✅ No account exists

✅ First time joining

Use Manual Stripe Fix When:

✅ Payment is the issue

✅ Subscription shows "Past due"

✅ Need to update billing

✅ LaunchPass subscription needs fixing

Usually: Fix payment first, then reactivate Slack access.

Related Resources

Key Takeaways

✅ Reactivation restores a deactivated member's access

✅ Use Workspace Directory → gear icon → Show all members

✅ Find deactivated member → three dots → Activate account

✅ Send invite link after reactivation (member needs it)

✅ Check subscription is active in LaunchPass first

✅ Fix payment issues before reactivating

✅ Member uses https://slack.com/signin/find to access

✅ Order matters: Fix subscription → Reactivate → Send invite

✅ Auto-deactivation happens if subscription lapses

✅ Communication is key - Let member know what's happening

Need Help?

Have questions about reactivating Slack members?

Email LaunchPass support: [email protected]

We can help with:

  • Reactivation issues

  • Subscription status questions

  • Payment problems causing deactivation

  • Understanding why member was deactivated

  • LaunchPass + Slack sync issues

  • Member access problems

For Slack-specific help:

Response time: Usually within 24 hours

Related Articles
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What Happens When You Rename Your Slack Workspace?
How to Re-Add a Member Kicked from Your Slack Channel
I'm Not Getting New Member Notifications on My Slack Group
How to join the Slack community you signed up for
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