---
title: "Close or reopen an assignment"
description: "Stop new submissions without changing the student link, or begin accepting work again."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/help/teachers/assignments/close-reopen-assignment"
type: "teacher-help"
lastUpdated: "2026-09-03"
---

# Close or reopen an assignment

## Quick answer

Open the published assignment and select its status near Preview. Choose Closed to stop new submissions, or Collecting responses to reopen it. The student link stays the same.

## What to do

1. **Open the assignment**: Find it in Assignments and open it.

2. **Open the status menu**: Select the status chip near Preview in the assignment header.

   ![Published assignment header with the status control next to Preview and sharing actions.](/img/teachers/assignment-header-actions.jpg)

   *The current assignment status appears in the header near Preview.*

3. **Choose the new status**: Choose Closed or Collecting responses.

4. **Confirm the result**: The status chip changes after the update saves. Copying or reposting the link is not necessary.

## What students see

When the assignment is Closed, students who open the existing link are told it is no longer accepting work. When it is Collecting responses, eligible students can start or submit again.

## If something is not working

### A student still has the page open after I closed it.

Closing prevents a new accepted submission. Ask the student to refresh if their open tab has not reflected the new status yet.

### I cannot find the status menu on a draft.

Drafts are not open to students yet. Publish first; the status menu appears for a published assignment.

## Related guides

- [Find and manage every assignment](/help/teachers/assignments/manage-assignments): Filter, group, sort, open, publish, review, or copy a link from the Assignments list.
- [Fix an assignment a student cannot open, start, or submit](/help/teachers/assignments/fix-student-access): Check the link, sign-in, class, status, timing, and attempt limit in a useful order.

## About This Document

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