What should you do if Amazon Flex deactivates you?
If Amazon Flex deactivates you, first get the stated reason (from the email, or by calling Driver Support at 888-281-6906 for a temporarily disabled account), then reply through the channel the notice names with a short, factual appeal backed by your in-app records. Amazon's Deactivation Policy (effective January 1, 2025) allows deactivation for material violations of the Terms of Service or for failing service standards on safety, reliability, delivery quality or customer service. It does not publish an appeal deadline, so act quickly.
Common reasons under the policy
| Reason | Policy standard | Evidence that may help |
|---|---|---|
| Late forfeits and no-shows | Arrive on time or forfeit blocks on time | Emergency documents (accident report, medical note) |
| Packages marked delivered but not received | Place items safely at the correct address | Delivery photos, app time and location record |
| Late or missing returns | Return undelivered items by 10 a.m. the next day | Return scan, station receipt or chat |
| Wrong delivery codes | Select the correct code for each attempt | Notes, photos of locked gates or closed businesses |
| Bots, location spoofing, account sharing | No misuse of the app, no fraud | Prevention is the only real defense |
| Background check or license issue | Comply with laws and program requirements | Corrected record, renewed license |
The policy also covers attended deliveries (age verification, one-time password, signature), professionalism and the Workplace Harassment Policy. Read the full Terms of Service in the app under Settings > View Legal Information.
Writing the appeal
- Get the reason in writing. Amazon notifies deactivation decisions by email. If the account is only temporarily disabled, the FAQ says to call 888-281-6906 to learn why.
- Collect your records before you lose app access if you can: block dates, routes, delivery photos, return scans, Support chat logs.
- Keep it short and factual: dates, tracking or route IDs, what happened and what the record shows. No blame, no threats.
- Explain the fix. If a mistake was yours, say what you changed (earlier forfeits, better photos).
- Keep copies of everything you send and every reply.
Creators report appeals over standing drops caused by store or station errors are hard to win, which is why notes made at the time (who you spoke to, what Support said) matter.
Arbitration and courts
The Amazon Flex Independent Contractor Terms of Service include a dispute-resolution section, and past versions required individual arbitration unless a driver opted out within 14 days of accepting. Whether Amazon can enforce arbitration against Flex drivers has been litigated: in Rittmann v. Amazon.com (9th Cir. 2020) the court held Flex drivers making last-mile deliveries were exempt from the Federal Arbitration Act's enforcement provisions. Which terms apply to you depends on the version you accepted and your state. Read the current terms in the app and consider a consultation with an employment lawyer before filing anything. This is not legal advice.
Local protections
- California: Amazon states Flex drivers are covered by Prop 22; check the California page in the app or on flex.amazon.com for any added rights there (see how Prop 22 works).
- Seattle: the city has app-based worker ordinances, including deactivation rights; check with the Seattle Office of Labor Standards whether your Flex work is covered.
- Elsewhere: check your state or city labor office; rules for app-based workers are changing quickly.
Watch: one creator's list of deactivation triggers
Package Pursuit lists what the creator sees behind deactivations: duplicate accounts made with a driver's information, late grocery deliveries, high-theft drop areas, app glitches such as frozen selfie checks and failed lockers, and repeated returns. The creator says appeals often take days or weeks. These are observations; Amazon's written policy is the reference.
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Avoid making it worse
- Do not create a second account or drive on someone else's; Amazon treats account misuse as a violation.
- Ignore people who offer to "reactivate" accounts for a fee or ask for your Amazon password. Amazon says never to share credentials with third parties. The same pattern of fake support is described in the verification code scam guide.
- Do not use bots or block grabbers to "catch up" after reactivation (see how to get blocks).
Frequently asked questions
Why do Amazon Flex drivers get deactivated?
Under Amazon's Deactivation Policy (effective January 1, 2025), for material violations of the Terms of Service or program policies, or for failing service standards on safety, reliability, delivery quality or customer service. Common examples are late forfeits, no-shows, delivery problems, late returns and using bots.
How do I appeal an Amazon Flex deactivation?
Use the channel named in the deactivation email, or call Driver Support at 888-281-6906 if your account is temporarily disabled. Send a short, factual explanation with dates, route details and the in-app records that support you.
Is there a deadline to appeal an Amazon Flex deactivation?
Amazon does not publish one in its deactivation policy. Act as soon as you receive the notice and follow any deadline stated in it.
Can Amazon Flex drivers go to arbitration?
The Terms of Service include a dispute-resolution section, and courts have disputed whether Amazon can enforce arbitration against Flex drivers. Read the version you accepted and talk to a lawyer before filing.
Go deeper. Chapter 10 of the Amazon Flex Driver Playbook covers deactivation, appeals, arbitration and local protections in full, and Chapter 8 has ready-to-use Driver Support scripts. Get the Amazon Flex e-book or read chapters 1–2 free.
Related guides
- How does Amazon Flex standing work?
- How do you get more Amazon Flex blocks in 2026?
- How much does Amazon Flex pay in 2026?
Sources
- Amazon Flex: Deactivation Policy (effective January 1, 2025)
- Amazon Flex: FAQ (manual review, temporarily disabled accounts)
- Amazon Flex: Delivering in California (Prop 22 / PADSA)
- US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: Rittmann v. Amazon.com, Inc. (2020)
- Seattle Office of Labor Standards: App-Based Worker Minimum Payment Ordinance
- Amazon Flex blog: Helping you get more delivery blocks by removing bots