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How to Reopen a Closed Poll in Microsoft Forms

Camila Milosovich Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to unlock and reopen a Microsoft Forms poll to resume collecting responses.

How to Reopen a Closed Poll in Microsoft Forms

Product: Microsoft Forms
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: The poll's response dates are locked or the form unexpectedly stopped accepting new responses.
Observed behavior: The form displays a message indicating it is closed, preventing respondents from submitting their answers.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary owner or co-author permissions to access and edit the Microsoft Forms settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable the Accept Responses Option

Use the built-in form settings to manually toggle the form back to an active state.

The most common reason a poll stops accepting responses is that the 'Accept responses' toggle was turned off manually, or a previously set end date has passed.

Open the form

Access More Form Settings

Click the three horizontal dots (More form settings) located in the top right corner of the screen, and select 'Settings' from the drop-down menu.

Enable responses

Under the 'Options for responses' section, check the box next to 'Accept responses' to reopen the poll.

Check Date Limits: If you had an 'End date' set in the past, be sure to uncheck the box or update it to a future date to ensure the poll remains open.

Solution 2

Switch Web Browsers or Update the Application

Resolve interface glitches preventing the form from reopening by changing your browser environment.

Solution 3

Duplicate the Form to Create a Replacement

A reliable workaround if the original form is corrupted and the response settings cannot be altered.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Microsoft Form suddenly stop accepting responses?

Forms automatically stop accepting responses if a specific 'End date' was previously configured in the settings, or if the form reached its maximum allowed response limit.

Will reopening a closed poll delete my previous responses?

No. Reopening a poll only unlocks the form so new respondents can submit answers. All previously collected data remains safely stored and accessible in the 'Responses' tab.

How do I extend the deadline of an active poll?

Open your form, go to Settings, locate the 'End date' option under 'Options for responses', and select a new future date and time to extend the deadline.

Can I reopen a poll from my mobile device?

Yes, you can log into Microsoft Forms via your mobile web browser or the Microsoft 365 app, navigate to the form's settings, and toggle 'Accept responses' back on.

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