A _billable user_ counts against the number of subscription seats. Every user is considered a
billable user, with the following exceptions:
-[Deactivated users](../../user/admin_area/user_moderation.md#deactivating-a-user) and
[blocked users](../../user/admin_area/user_moderation.md#blocking-a-user) don't count as billable users in the current subscription. When they are either deactivated or blocked they release a _billable user_ seat. However, they may
-[Deactivated users](../../user/admin_area/moderate_users.md#deactivating-a-user) and
[blocked users](../../user/admin_area/moderate_users.md#blocking-a-user) don't count as billable users in the current subscription. When they are either deactivated or blocked they release a _billable user_ seat. However, they may
count toward overages in the subscribed seat count.
- Users who are [pending approval](../../user/admin_area/approving_users.md).
- Members with Guest permissions on an Ultimate subscription.
...
...
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ Starting 30 days before a subscription expires, GitLab notifies administrators o
We recommend following these steps during renewal:
1. Prune any inactive or unwanted users by [blocking them](../../user/admin_area/user_moderation.md#blocking-a-user).
1. Prune any inactive or unwanted users by [blocking them](../../user/admin_area/moderate_users.md#blocking-a-user).
1. Determine if you have a need for user growth in the upcoming subscription.
1. Log in to the [Customers Portal](https://customers.gitlab.com/customers/sign_in) and select the **Renew** button beneath your existing subscription.
info:To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments
type:howto
---
# Activating and deactivating users
GitLab administrators can deactivate and activate users.
## Deactivating a user
> [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/22257) in GitLab 12.4.
In order to temporarily prevent access by a GitLab user that has no recent activity, administrators
can choose to deactivate the user.
Deactivating a user is functionally identical to [blocking a user](blocking_unblocking_users.md),
with the following differences:
- It does not prohibit the user from logging back in via the UI.
- Once a deactivated user logs back into the GitLab UI, their account is set to active.
A deactivated user:
- Cannot access Git repositories or the API.
- Will not receive any notifications from GitLab.
- Will not be able to use [slash commands](../../integration/slash_commands.md).
Personal projects, and group and user history of the deactivated user will be left intact.
A user can be deactivated from the Admin Area. To do this:
1. Navigate to **Admin Area > Overview > Users**.
1. Select a user.
1. Under the **Account** tab, click **Deactivate user**.
Please note that for the deactivation option to be visible to an admin, the user:
- Must be currently active.
- Must not have signed in, or have any activity, in the last 90 days.
Users can also be deactivated using the [GitLab API](../../api/users.md#deactivate-user).
NOTE:
A deactivated user does not consume a [seat](../../subscriptions/self_managed/index.md#billable-users).
## Activating a user
> [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/22257) in GitLab 12.4.
A deactivated user can be activated from the Admin Area.
To do this:
1. Navigate to **Admin Area > Overview > Users**.
1. Click on the **Deactivated** tab.
1. Select a user.
1. Under the **Account** tab, click **Activate user**.
Users can also be activated using the [GitLab API](../../api/users.md#activate-user).
NOTE:
Activating a user changes the user's state to active and consumes a
info:To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments
type:howto
---
# Blocking and unblocking users
GitLab administrators block and unblock users.
## Blocking a user
In order to completely prevent access of a user to the GitLab instance, administrators can choose to
block the user.
Users can be blocked [via an abuse report](review_abuse_reports.md#blocking-users),
or directly from the Admin Area. To do this:
1. Navigate to **Admin Area > Overview > Users**.
1. Select a user.
1. Under the **Account** tab, click **Block user**.
A blocked user:
- Cannot log in.
- Cannot access Git repositories or the API.
- Does not receive any notifications from GitLab.
- Cannot use [slash commands](../../integration/slash_commands.md).
Personal projects, and group and user history of the blocked user are left intact.
Users can also be blocked using the [GitLab API](../../api/users.md#block-user).
NOTE:
A blocked user does not consume a [seat](../../subscriptions/self_managed/index.md#billable-users).
## Unblocking a user
A blocked user can be unblocked from the Admin Area. To do this:
1. Navigate to **Admin Area > Overview > Users**.
1. Click on the **Blocked** tab.
1. Select a user.
1. Under the **Account** tab, click **Unblock user**.
Users can also be unblocked using the [GitLab API](../../api/users.md#unblock-user).
NOTE:
Unblocking a user changes the user's state to active and consumes a
