Can Etsy deactivate a listing I already deactivated for possible policy issues?

Hi! Yes — even if you deactivate a listing yourself, Etsy can still take action related to it (for example, remove it for a policy violation and log it in your shop’s policy/violation history). Deactivating does help reduce risk in the sense that shoppers can’t buy it and it’s no longer publicly visible in your shop, but it doesn’t “reset” anything or guarantee Etsy won’t review it later.

A few practical things to know while you’re sorting it out:

• Deactivated = not for sale, but it still exists in Shop Manager. Etsy (and their systems) can still see the listing record, photos, title/tags, description, etc.
• If it’s a true policy issue, Etsy enforcement isn’t limited to active listings. Etsy can remove listings and may also take wider action on a shop if there are multiple or serious violations.
• Deactivation mainly reduces buyer-facing exposure. It prevents new orders and reduces the chance of customers reporting it, but it’s not the same as being “cleared.”

What I’d do next (safe approach):

1. Keep it deactivated until you’re 100% sure it complies.
2. If you can fix it, edit it while it’s inactive (photos, wording/claims, personalization options, materials, who made it, etc.), then only reactivate once it clearly meets policy.
3. If it’s potentially prohibited or high-risk (IP/copyright/trademark, medical claims, unsafe items, banned items, etc.), consider deleting it rather than reworking it.

Also, keep an eye on your email from Etsy and your Policy violations area in Shop Manager—that’s typically where you’ll see notes if Etsy removed or flagged something.