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How can I reactivate my suspended AWS account?
I want to regain access to my suspended account and AWS services.
Short description
To reinstate your account that's suspended because of outstanding charges, pay all past due charges in the AWS Billing and Cost Management console.
Important:
- AWS closes your account if you don't reinstate the account within 30 days of suspension.
- AWS terminates your account if you don't reinstate your account within 90 days of closure.
- AWS can delete resources on a suspended account.
- Your account permanently closes in 90 days, after which you won't be able to reopen your account and AWS will delete the content remaining in your account. To reopen your account before your account is permanently closed you must contact AWS Support as soon as possible. Also, within 60 days from the date of account closure, any outstanding balances must be fully paid, including providing any information specified on the invoice.
Note:
- If you closed your AWS account within the past 90 days and you want to reopen it, see Can I reopen my closed AWS account?
- If the suspended account is a member account in an organization, then contact the owner of the management account.
- You can't delete resources on a suspended account.
- AWS Support can't delete resources on your AWS account on your behalf.
Resolution
Reinstate your account
To pay the past due charges on an account, first verify that your current payment information is accurate:
- Check Payment methods to confirm that the information associated with your payment method is correct.
- If your default payment method is no longer valid, add a new payment method, and then set it as the default payment method.
Then, follow these steps to pay your outstanding charges:
- Open the Billing and Cost Management console.
- On the navigation pane, choose Payments.
You can view your outstanding invoices on the Payments Due tab. - On the Payments Due tab, select the invoice that you want to pay, and then choose Complete payment.
- On the Complete a payment page, confirm that the summary matches what you want to pay, and then choose Verify and Pay.
Reactivate your account
Complete the following steps:
- If you paid your past due charges in full with a credit card, then services automatically reactivate within a few minutes.
- If you paid your past due charges in full with a different payment method, then contact AWS Support to reactivate your account.
Note: Sometimes account services can take up to 24 hours to reactivate an account. If you have paid your past due charges in full and your account isn't reactivated within 24 hours, then contact AWS Support.
Troubleshoot access issues
If your account was suspended by AWS, then you might need to provide additional information so AWS can review your reinstatement request. Check your email and spam folder to see if AWS needs any information from you to complete the reactivation process. Then, respond with the requested information and your account is reviewed for reinstatement.
If you have additional questions, or can't provide the requested information, then contact AWS Support.
If you can't sign in to your account, then contact the AWS Account Verification team using the AWS Account Verification support form.
Related information
- Topics
- Management & Governance
- Language
- English
Very useful information.
A few years ago, I was preparing for the AWS Solution Architect exam but had to pause due to unforeseen circumstances. During that time, I used several AWS services for exam purposes but, unfortunately, forgot to shut them down. This oversight led to an unpaid bill, and eventually, my AWS account was suspended.
I recently attempted to access the account, but I can no longer recall the credentials. Using the "Forgot Password" option returns the message: "An AWS account with that sign-in information does not exist. Try again or create a new account." However, when I attempt to create a new account with the same email address, I receive: "The email specified is already associated with an AWS account."
Having been out of the AWS ecosystem for the past few years due to the nature of my work, I am now returning to it for a new project. My primary concern is that this account is linked to all my professional AWS certifications.
I would greatly appreciate any advice or guidance on recovering this account. If you have encountered a similar situation or know the best course of action, please share your insights.
For now I created an account from a new email address, is it possible to transfer the exam certificates from one account to another ?
Thank you in advance for your support!
[Feedback] The AWS Account Verification support form hyperlinked in this article redirects to the AWS landing page.
ChatGPT said: If your AWS account is suspended, the first step is to identify the reason. Common causes include unpaid bills, policy violations, or identity verification issues. For example, if you used AWS Free Tier but unknowingly exceeded the limits, AWS may suspend your account due to unpaid charges.
Step 1: Check AWS Notifications Log in to your AWS Management Console and check emails from AWS regarding your suspension. If the issue is unpaid bills, go to the AWS Billing Dashboard and clear outstanding payments. Once paid, AWS typically reactivates your account automatically within a few hours.
Step 2: Fix Policy Violations If your account was suspended due to a policy violation, such as using AWS for prohibited activities (e.g., crypto mining on a Free Tier account), you must correct the issue before requesting reactivation.
Step 3: Contact AWS Support Go to AWS Support and create a billing or account-related support case. Explain your issue and attach proof (like a payment confirmation or identity verification document).
Real Example: A user running a small EC2 server for testing forgot to stop instances, leading to a high bill. After paying the outstanding amount and contacting AWS Support, AWS reactivated the account within 24 hours.
Subject:-URGENT: Paid invoices but account still inactive & portal login blocked — Account 520385697528 (TeeSavvy)
Hello AWS Support Team, I’m writing to escalate a critical account issue. Despite clearing the due payments, our AWS account is still not activated and I’m unable to log in to the AWS console. Phone support has also not resolved this—please treat this as urgent.
Account Name: TeeSavvy Account ID: 520385697528 Account Type: Root (ARN: arn:aws:iam::520385697528:root) Account Creation Date: July 9, 2025 Company Address: Ground Floor, Shop No. 02, Pushpdeep Apartment, Plot No. 61, Sector–20, Navi Mumbai, Raigad, Maharashtra
What’s broken:- Account not activated even after payment completion. Unable to log in to the AWS console (portal access blocked). Charges without service — billing continues even though services aren’t accessible. Phone support unresponsive — multiple attempts, no resolution.
Recent payments (via Google Pay → Amazon Pay “AWS India Invoice Payment”) ₹387.04 — Completed on 27 Sept 2025, 10:48 PM Bank: HDFC Bank 2212 UPI Txn ID: 527043486387 Payee VPA: amazonaws@yapl Payer VPA: sagar2071985@okhdfcbank (SAGAR H GOLE) Google Txn ID: CICAgljv0au6JQ ₹220.05 — Completed on 27 Sept 2025, 10:45 PM Bank: HDFC Bank 2212 UPI Txn ID: 527006160394 Payee VPA: amazonaws@rapl Payer VPA: sagar2071985@okhdfcbank
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