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Secure inactive users in HubSpot

How to Automatically Deactivate Inactive Users in HubSpot

Keeping your HubSpot account secure means regularly reviewing who has access. Manually removing old or inactive users is time‑consuming and easy to forget. Instead, you can use HubSpot automation to deactivate inactive users on a set schedule, helping protect data, reduce risk, and keep your user list clean.

This guide walks you through what automatic deactivation does, how it works, and the exact steps to configure it in your account based on the official HubSpot documentation.

What Automatic User Deactivation in HubSpot Does

Automatic user deactivation lets you define a period of inactivity. When a user does not log in for longer than that period, HubSpot will automatically deactivate their account.

This feature is especially helpful for organizations that:

  • Onboard and offboard users frequently
  • Must meet strict security or compliance requirements
  • Want to reduce the risk of dormant accounts being misused

When a user is deactivated automatically, they lose access to your HubSpot account but their historical activity and records remain for reporting and auditing.

Key Effects of Deactivating a User in HubSpot

Before you enable automatic deactivation, it is important to understand what happens when a user is deactivated in HubSpot.

  • The user can no longer sign in to your portal.
  • They will not be able to access any tools, records, or assets.
  • Scheduled tasks or reminders assigned to them may need to be reassigned.
  • Their previous activity (emails, calls, notes, deals, tickets) remains in the CRM for reporting.

Deactivation is reversible. You can reactivate a user later if needed, as long as you still have an available paid or free seat that matches their permissions.

Requirements to Use Automatic Deactivation in HubSpot

Only certain users and accounts can configure this feature. According to the official HubSpot knowledge base at this HubSpot help article, you must:

  • Be a Super Admin, or
  • Have the appropriate account permissions for security and user management.

Your HubSpot subscription level may also determine whether this feature is available. If you do not see the relevant settings, contact your account administrator or HubSpot support.

How to Configure Automatic Deactivation in HubSpot

Follow these steps to set up automatic deactivation for inactive users in your HubSpot account.

1. Open Your HubSpot Settings

  1. Log in to your HubSpot account with a Super Admin or similarly privileged user.
  2. In the main navigation bar, click the settings icon (usually a gear symbol) in the top right corner.

This opens the central settings area where you manage account security, users, and permissions.

2. Navigate to Account Security Settings

  1. In the left sidebar menu, locate and click Account Setup or the equivalent section that contains security options.
  2. Under that section, click Security (or a similarly named tab, depending on your account).

The automatic deactivation controls live within the security area so they apply consistently across your HubSpot portal.

3. Locate the Inactive User Deactivation Option

Scroll through the security settings until you see a section related to Inactive users or Automatic deactivation. The wording may vary slightly by product version, but look for options that mention deactivating users after a period of inactivity.

In this section you will typically find:

  • A toggle or checkbox to turn automatic deactivation on or off
  • A field to set the number of inactive days
  • Information about how this setting applies across users

4. Enable Automatic Deactivation in HubSpot

  1. Switch on the toggle or select the checkbox to enable automatic deactivation.
  2. In the field provided, enter the number of days a user can be inactive before HubSpot deactivates them automatically.

Choose a value that matches your security policy. For example:

  • 30 days for high‑security environments
  • 60–90 days for standard business accounts

Review any note or warning text in the interface. HubSpot may describe how frequently it checks for inactive users or which user types are affected.

5. Save Your HubSpot Security Changes

  1. After setting the inactivity threshold, click Save or Apply.
  2. Confirm any prompts that explain the impact of enabling automatic deactivation.

Once saved, HubSpot will begin monitoring user login activity and will deactivate accounts that exceed your defined inactivity period.

Best Practices for Using Automatic Deactivation in HubSpot

Implementing automatic deactivation is more effective when paired with clear internal processes.

Define Your Inactivity Policy

Align your HubSpot inactivity threshold with your organization’s IT and security policies. Consider:

  • How often team members are expected to use the CRM
  • Compliance or regulatory requirements for access control
  • Seasonal or project‑based roles that may be inactive for longer periods

Communicate the Change to Your Team

Before enabling automatic deactivation in HubSpot, notify managers and users so they understand:

  • After how many days of inactivity they may be deactivated
  • Who to contact if they lose access unexpectedly
  • How to request reactivation or a new seat

Regularly Review Deactivated Users

Automatic deactivation reduces manual work, but periodic reviews are still important.

  1. Open your Users & Teams settings in HubSpot.
  2. Filter by Deactivated users.
  3. Review whether any users should be reactivated or permanently removed.

This ensures your portal reflects your current organization structure and that unused seats are reclaimed.

Troubleshooting Automatic Deactivation in HubSpot

If users are being deactivated unexpectedly, or if some inactive users are not deactivated, check the following:

  • Permissions: Confirm that your account still has the required permissions to enforce security settings.
  • Inactivity threshold: Verify the number of days configured in your HubSpot security settings.
  • Login tracking: Remember that only authenticated logins count as activity; simply receiving emails or being assigned records does not.
  • Excluded accounts: Some system or integration users may behave differently depending on your subscription and setup.

If issues persist, compare your configuration with the official instructions in the HubSpot knowledge base and contact support if needed.

Why Automatic Deactivation in HubSpot Improves Security

Leaving old user accounts active creates avoidable risk. Automatic deactivation in HubSpot helps you:

  • Limit exposure from outdated or forgotten logins
  • Align with security frameworks that require periodic access reviews
  • Keep your list of active users tidy for easier management

Combined with strong passwords, two‑factor authentication, and role‑based permissions, this feature supports a robust security posture for your CRM.

Next Steps and Additional Resources

To go deeper into account security and user management beyond what is summarized here, always refer back to the official HubSpot documentation at this HubSpot support page.

If you need strategic help designing security policies, access governance, or CRM architecture around HubSpot, you can also consult specialists like Consultevo for tailored implementation advice.

By configuring automatic deactivation and regularly reviewing access, you keep your HubSpot environment cleaner, safer, and better aligned with modern security expectations.

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