Quick Answer
If you forgot the email address associated with your LinkedIn account, don’t worry – there are several ways to recover it. The easiest option is to reset your password – LinkedIn will send a password reset link to the email on file. You can also try signing in with common email addresses you may have used. As a last resort, you can contact LinkedIn customer service and verify your identity to regain access to your account.
Forgot the Email Address You Used for Your LinkedIn Account?
Forgetting which email address you used to create your LinkedIn account is a common problem many users face. With the proliferation of email accounts over the years, it’s easy to lose track of old addresses. However, not knowing your LinkedIn email presents a challenge when trying to access your account.
Without the correct email address, you cannot initiate a password reset if you’ve also forgotten your password. Additionally, signing in with an incorrect or inactive email will fail. So what steps can you take to recover your lost LinkedIn email address? There are a few methods to try on your own before contacting LinkedIn support.
Attempt To Reset Your Password
The easiest way to identify the email on your LinkedIn account is to use the password reset option. Here’s how it works:
- Go to LinkedIn and click the “Forgot password?” link on the sign in page.
- Enter your full name as it appears on your account.
- Select your location from the menu.
- Click the “Reset password” button.
LinkedIn will then send a password reset link to the email address associated with your account. Once you receive this email, you’ll see the address LinkedIn has on file for you.
If you don’t receive the password reset email, it likely means you entered your name or location incorrectly. Double check these details and try again. If you still don’t get the email after several attempts, your account email may be an old address you no longer use.
Try Signing In With Common Emails
If the password reset method doesn’t uncover your LinkedIn email, the next step is trying to sign in with your most commonly used email addresses. Start by entering emails like:
- Your personal email (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.)
- Work/professional emails
- School email addresses
Test out any emails you think you may have used when creating your LinkedIn account. With over 300 million users, LinkedIn has been around since 2003 – so for long-time users, that old Hotmail or AOL address could be the one.
If you get an error message saying the email isn’t associated with an account, you’ll know to try a different address. When attempting logins, make sure to also try common variations like using your full name, abbreviations, middle initials, etc.
Check Previous LinkedIn Confirmation Emails
If you’ve connected your email to LinkedIn in the past to confirm your account, you may still have the confirmation message in your inbox. Dig through your email archives and search for emails from LinkedIn or messages with “Confirm your LinkedIn email address” in the subject line.
The body of the confirmation email will contain the LinkedIn email on file. Depending on how long ago you activated your account, this email could be buried deep in your archives. But it’s worth the search if it reveals the forgotten email address.
Look Up Your Public Profile
Your LinkedIn public profile displays your name and headline/position. But it does not show your associated email address. However, you may be able to find your profile by searching on LinkedIn and Google.
For example, search LinkedIn for your name and company. Or google yourself in quotes to see public profile pages that come up. If you locate your profile this way, you can try resetting the password which will send the password reset email to your account email.
Contact LinkedIn Customer Service
If you’ve exhausted all self-service options and still can’t identify your LinkedIn email address, you can reach out to their customer support for additional help. Here are some tips for obtaining your email address through customer service:
- Visit the LinkedIn help center and search for contact options.
- You’ll need to verify your identity by providing info like your name, location, company, etc.
- Explain clearly that you cannot access your account due to a forgotten email address.
- LinkedIn support can research account details to identify the email on file.
- This process takes time, so be patient waiting for a response.
With customer support verification, LinkedIn should be able to assist you in recovering your account email address. Just be prepared to answer questions to confirm your identity.
How to Avoid Forgetting Your LinkedIn Email Address
Going through the effort to uncover your forgotten LinkedIn email is inconvenient. Here are some tips to avoid finding yourself in this situation again:
Record Your LinkedIn Account Details
Keep your LinkedIn email address, along with your username and password, written down somewhere secure like a password manager or locked file. This makes referencing your account information quick and easy.
Use a Single Professional Email
Minimize the number of emails associated with your LinkedIn profile. Stick to one main professional or work address that you’ll remember. Avoid using old school or personal emails that you may eventually deactivate.
Turn on Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security, requiring you to enter a code from your phone when logging in. Activate this feature under LinkedIn account settings. Then if you forget your password, you can still access your email via the 2FA prompt.
Sync LinkedIn With Other Social Accounts
Link services like Google, Facebook, or Apple to your LinkedIn account. When logged into any of these platforms, you can click through to LinkedIn without entering your password. This gives you backdoor access if you forget your LinkedIn login credentials.
Check LinkedIn Settings Periodically
Log into your LinkedIn account every so often and review your settings. Look for your current profile email address and connected services. This periodic check reminds you of your login info and prompts you to update anything that may have changed.
Recovering Your Forgotten LinkedIn Email Address
Losing track of the email for your LinkedIn account can be frustrating. But whether you try resetting your password, searching old emails, or contacting customer support, the address can be recovered with some effort. And implementing proactive measures can prevent you from dealing with this issue altogether.
With over 675 million members worldwide, LinkedIn is a vital platform for networking and recruitment. So take steps to maintain access to your account by recording your sign-in information and periodically reviewing your profile details.
With the right approach, a forgotten email won’t stop you from leveraging LinkedIn to further your professional connections and career opportunities. Just employ some detective work using the tips outlined here to uncover that elusive address and get back to building your thriving social community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have access to the email I used for my LinkedIn account?
If you can no longer access the email associated with your LinkedIn profile, contacting LinkedIn customer support is the next best option. You’ll go through an identity verification process before they can update your account with a new, accessible email address.
Can LinkedIn help if I don’t remember my password or email?
Yes, LinkedIn’s customer service team can assist in resetting your password if you’ve forgotten both your login credentials. After answering questions to confirm your identity, they can email you a password reset link. Without your correct email, it may take longer to regain account access.
What if I have multiple emails and can’t remember which one I used?
Try signing in with the various emails you may have used when creating your account. Start with your most commonly used personal and work emails. If none of those work, LinkedIn can utilize your name, location, company, and other details to pinpoint your correct email address on file.
Can I create a new LinkedIn account if I can’t access my current one?
You can create a brand new LinkedIn account using a known email address. However, you will be starting over in establishing your connections and profile. Before doing this, exhaust all options to recover your existing account so you don’t lose your networked contacts.
Does LinkedIn allow multiple accounts with the same email address?
No, LinkedIn only permits one account per email address at a given time. This is to prevent duplicate profiles and maintain the integrity of each user’s unique identity. Associating a single email with each person’s profile avoids confusion.
Conclusion
Losing access to your LinkedIn account due to a forgotten email can certainly be aggravating. But hope is not lost if you find yourself in this predicament. With password resets, login attempts, email searches, profile lookups, and customer support, that elusive address can be recovered. Apply the strategies outlined here to get back into your LinkedIn account. And take proactive measures like recording login information and enabling two-factor authentication to avoid email amnesia down the road.