# Why does my workspace invitation say it's invalid or expired?

> Fix workspace invitation links and invite codes that don't work. Email invites last 7 days, invite codes 24 hours, and both need the right account.

This article helps when you can't join a teammate's workspace from an invitation email or an invite code. It also tells admins how to send a working invitation.

## Symptoms

- The invitation page shows **Invalid or expired invitation**.
- Accepting shows **This invitation was sent to a different email address**.
- Entering an invite code shows **Invite code is invalid or has expired**, or **Too many failed invite codes. Try again in an hour.**
- An admin trying to invite you again sees **An invitation has already been sent to this email**.

## Cause

Emailit has two ways to join a workspace, each with its own rules:

| Method | Valid for | Who can use it | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Email invitation | 7 days | Only the invited email address | Chosen by the admin |
| Invite code (8 characters) | 24 hours | Anyone with the code, until it expires or is revoked | Member |

An invitation link stops working when:

- **It's older than 7 days.**
- **It was already accepted, or an admin canceled it.** The page shows the same message in every case.
- **You're signed in with a different account.** The invitation is tied to the exact address it was sent to.

An invite code fails when it's older than 24 hours, was revoked, or was mistyped. After 5 wrong codes, joining by code is locked for an hour.

## Fix

1. **Sign in with the invited address.** If you have several Emailit accounts, sign out and open the link again. When you're signed out, the page pre-fills the invited email. Choose **Log in and accept**, or **Sign up** if you don't have an account yet.

2. **Ask an admin for a new invitation.** There's no resend button. The admin goes to **Workspace → Settings**, opens **Members**, selects **Cancel Invitation** on your pending row, and then uses **Invite Member** again with your email and role. See [Invitations](/docs/workspaces/invitations/).

3. **Or use an invite code.** An admin selects **Invite code** on the Members page to generate one. Sign in, go to `https://dash.emailit.com/create-workspace`, and enter the code under **Join a workspace**. Codes always join as **Member**, and an admin can change your role afterward.

4. **Wait out a lockout.** If you entered too many wrong codes, wait an hour. Each new wrong attempt restarts the hour.

5. **Check that you aren't already in.** If the workspace appears in the workspace switcher, you're already a member.

Only admins can invite people, cancel invitations and create invite codes. See [Members and roles](/docs/workspaces/members-and-roles/).

## Still stuck?

[Contact support](/contact/) or ask in [Discord](https://discord.emailit.com). Include the workspace name and the email address the invitation was sent to.

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Source: https://emailit.com/docs/kb/invitation-link-expired/