Deactivated by Spark? Steps to appeal and get your account back!

It can happen completely out of nowhere: You log into Spark to deliver for the day and find a shocking notice: “Your Spark driver account has been deactivated.”

Deactivated = fired! You can’t log in, you can’t get order requests, and you can’t earn. You’ve lost your gig! Can you get it back?

Sometimes Spark won’t even give you a reason for the deactivation. Other times, they’ll send you a text message with a vague notice about violating the TOS.

There’s good news and bad news: It’s possible to get reactivated, but your chances may be low.

Read on to learn why Spark drivers get deactivated and how you can appeal the decision and get reactivated.

Article contents

• How to tell if you are deactivated
• Top reasons for deactivation
• How to appeal: Steps to get reactivated
• What are your chances, and how long does it take?
• The arbitration process

Deactivation notices: How to tell that your account is deactivated

There are two main ways to discover that you were deactivated: A text message from Spark and an in-app notification.

Here’s the in-app notification letting a Spark driver know that they were deactivated:

And here’s an example of a text message Spark sent to a driver about their deactivation.

The in-app message tells you to call support, and the text messages will link you to a FAQ.

Both the FAQ and telephone support will tell you to email a support email address to get more info about your deactivation and to appeal.

So what’s next for you? More on how to appeal below.

Why Spark drivers get deactivated: Top reasons

Most deactivations are triggered by customer complaints, complaints from store staff, or administrative issues like expired documents.

Delivery complaints — Delivering to the wrong address, missing too many deliveries, too many reports of missing items, accepting multiple orders at the same time, etc. All can lead to deactivation if your account has too many similar reports.

Store complaints — Complaints from store staff about your behavior, such as inaccurately indicating your arrival, delivery, or return in the app.

Major customer complaints — Customers can complain about inappropriate behavior like rudeness, arguing, misbehaving on customer property, etc.

Using bots/software — You can be deactivated for using a bot, app, or other automated processes to get offers or take advantage of the system.

Expired documents — If you let your driver’s license or insurance information get out of date, you may be deactivated. Fortunately, you have a good chance of being reactivated if you contact support and update your documents.

It’s not your metrics (usually) — Unlike other gig apps, Spark deactivations are NOT typically triggered by your metrics. Spark does not list any minimum rating standards, and most deactivations are due to specific violations reported by a store or customers. A low acceptance rate won’t lead to deactivation.

No reason given for your deactivation? That’s common

Spark doesn’t always offer a reason for deactivation. Many drivers open the app only to find that they can’t log in, but they don’t get any more information from a text message or email.

And even if you ask support for more info, you might get a response that doesn’t clarify anything: “For privacy reasons we do not have have any information as to why your account was deactivated.”

Try your best to get more details from support. Eventually, you will have to start the reactivation process even if you never get a reason.

More help for Spark drivers

• Want to deliver for Spark? See driver pay & requirements
• How Spark shoppers are cashing in on shop & deliver orders
• A guide to bonuses and incentives on Spark

How to appeal: Steps to get reactivated

It is possible to be reactivated. Spark has an appeals process that may allow you to get your account back.

The appeals process on Spark

• Contact support to ask for the reason why you were deactivated
• Begin the appeal by contacting [email protected]. Provide any details that you think are helpful
• Wait for a response
• Contact tier 2 support for updates if you don’t hear back
• Wait for a decision

You can begin your appeal even if you don’t know why you were deactivated, but it’s a good idea to try to get some details first.

Once you get more details, you might be able to remember details about the situation or defend yourself with pictures or screenshots.

There aren’t any secrets to the process. You have to begin the appeals process, stay consistent, and hope for the best. You might get a response in days, or it could take weeks.

Reactivation success stories

Here’s a story from a Spark driver on Reddit who was reactivated. They say that they followed the appeals process, kept in contact with support, and got reactivated.

Here’s another reactivation story where a driver was deactivated for 6 days. They were never sure why they got deactivated, but they contacted support several times and ultimately got reactivated.

What are your chances, and how long will it take?

It’s hard to say what your chances of reactivation are, or how long the process will take.

Some success stories exist, but many drivers share that their appeal fails, and they never get their account back.

Your best chances are if your deactivation is due to expired documents or an inactive account. You can get back online within a few days if you contact support and update your documents.

But if your deactivation was due to TOS violations, your chances may be low. Expect the process to take a least two weeks, and be ready for a frustrating and disappointing process.

How to contact Tier 2 support

You can call phone support at (855) 743-0457, but the basic level of support may not be helpful, so try to get to Tier 2 support.

Reach tier 2 by using option ‘2’ on the phone menu to get tier 2 support. Tier 2 may be able to give you more details and better help.

Can arbitration help you get your account back?

The Spark driver terms of service has an arbitration clause that states that issues between drivers and Spark will be resolved via the arbitration process.

Deactivations are a conflict between you and Spark that fall under the arbitration clause. The arbitration clause means that you can’t sue Spark in court.

Going into arbitration with Spark about your deactivation is an uphill battle, costs money, and has an uncertain outcome. As a result, not many gig workers ever go to arbitration, but it is an option that you can take.

However, some Spark drivers have reported being reactivated after contacting the arbitration department. Their issue never actually reached arbitration, but Spark decided to reactivate their account after they signaled that they were serious about going to arbitration.

Overview of the arbitration process

• Send an official notice to Walmart/Spark requesting a phone conference to discuss the situation
• If you can’t come to an agreement, the arbitration process begins
• Pay arbitration costs: Typically around $200
• Meet with an arbiter, who will decide the outcome of the situation

That’s the process, but the reality is that actually reaching the arbitration stage is a long process. It can take months or even years to actually meet with an arbiter.

What typically happens is that Walmart will try to agree on a solution before you even reach the phone conference stage.

There are very few instances shared online of Spark drivers—or any gig driver for any gig app—actually reaching arbitration.

If it’s a matter of justice for you, the process may be worth it. But if it’s only a practical matter for you—getting your gig back—then arbitration may not be worth the time and money.

Finding another gig is usually the faster, more profitable choice.

Always have a backup gig!

The unfortunate reality is that many deactivated Spark drivers will never be reactivated.

And even if you do get reactivated, it can take weeks or months. You need to be able to earn money in the mean time.

Stability is never guaranteed in the gig economy, so it’s always a good idea to be active on many different gig apps.n

Sign up for these gigs as a backup plan

• Uber Eats
• Instacart
• DoorDash
• Shipt
• Amazon Flex