Closing your Upwork account is a simple process, but there are several steps you need to take to ensure everything is resolved before your account can be permanently deleted. This guide will walk you through the entire process of closing your Upwork account, from completing active contracts to submitting your closure request.
Overview Table: Upwork Account Deletion Process
| Step | Action Required | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Resolve Active Contracts | Ensure all contracts, proposals, and payments are cleared | Varies based on activity |
| Set Security Question | Answer or set up a security question to proceed with deletion | 1-2 minutes |
| Close Account | Access your settings and submit the closure request | 2-3 minutes |
How to Delete Your Upwork Account: Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Resolve All Active Contracts and Proposals
Before you can close your Upwork account, you need to make sure that all active contracts, pending proposals, and payments are fully resolved. Here’s how to check:
- Log in to Your Upwork Account: Use your credentials to access your profile.
- Check Active Contracts: Visit the My Jobs tab to see if you have any active contracts. Complete or close any active work agreements with your clients or freelancers.
- Resolve Pending Payments: Make sure there are no pending payments or refunds. Clear any outstanding balances or withdrawals.
- Withdraw Proposals: Go to the Proposals section and withdraw any active proposals that haven’t been accepted by clients.
Note: Your account cannot be closed if there are unresolved issues, such as active contracts or pending payments.
Step 2: Set or Answer Your Security Question
Upwork requires you to answer a security question before closing your account. If you haven’t set one up yet, you’ll need to do this before proceeding.
- Go to Settings: Once logged in, click on your profile picture and select Settings from the dropdown menu.
- Set or Answer Security Question:
- If prompted, set up a security question and answer, or answer the one you previously set.
- If you’ve forgotten your security question, you can reset it here.
Step 3: Submit a Request to Close Your Upwork Account
Once your contracts are resolved and your security question is set, you can request to close your account.
- Go to Settings: From your account dashboard, click on Settings.
- Navigate to Contact Info: In the settings menu, click on Contact Info.
- Close My Account: Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Close My Account.
- Confirm Account Closure: Upwork will ask you to confirm your decision. Click Confirm to finalize your account closure.
Step 4: Wait for Confirmation
After submitting your account closure request:
- Immediate Closure: In most cases, your account will be closed immediately after confirmation.
- Permanent Deletion: Once your account is closed, all your data, including your work history and profile information, will be permanently removed.
Note: If you wish to return to Upwork in the future, you will need to create a new account as this process is irreversible.
Common Issues You May Encounter
- Unresolved Contracts: You won’t be able to close your account if there are any active contracts, pending payments, or unresolved disputes.
- Forgotten Security Question: If you’ve forgotten your security question and answer, you’ll need to reset it through Upwork support before closing your account.
Conclusion
Closing your Upwork account is a straightforward process, but it requires that all active contracts and payments are resolved first. Make sure to set or answer your security question before submitting the closure request. Once completed, your account and all associated data will be permanently deleted. If you change your mind, remember that you will need to start from scratch with a new account in the future.
Disclaimer
This guide reflects the current process for closing an Upwork account. Policies and procedures may change over time, so always refer to Upwork’s official resources for the most up-to-date instructions.