Overview
There are a few potential reasons why you may be seeing LinkedIn in another language besides your default or preferred language:
- Your browser language settings are set to a different language
- Your LinkedIn language settings are set to a different language
- You’re accessing LinkedIn from a different region or IP address
- Your device language settings are set to a different language
- You’re using a VPN or proxy service located in a different country
- LinkedIn is doing A/B testing with languages
Let’s explore each of these possibilities in more detail.
Browser Language Settings
One of the most common reasons LinkedIn may appear in another language is because your web browser language settings are set to something other than your preferred language.
Browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and others allow you to configure language preferences that may override LinkedIn’s default settings. For example, if your browser is set to use Spanish, LinkedIn will likely display in Spanish as well.
To check your browser language settings:
- Chrome: Click the 3 dots in the top right > Settings > Languages
- Firefox: Click the 3 lines in the top right > Options > Languages
- Safari: Preferences > General > Language
Make sure your preferred language is at the top of the list. If another language is set higher, LinkedIn may display in that language instead.
LinkedIn Language Settings
In addition to browser settings, your LinkedIn preferences have options to configure the language you want to use when accessing LinkedIn.
To check your LinkedIn language settings:
- Click your profile photo in the top right
- Choose Settings & Privacy from the dropdown menu
- Go to the Language tab
- Make sure your preferred language is selected
If another language is set here, it will take precedence over your browser settings when viewing LinkedIn. Make sure this is set to your preferred language.
Accessing LinkedIn from Different Region/IP
LinkedIn will also automatically display in the language associated with the country you are accessing it from.
For example, if you travel to France and access LinkedIn, it will likely default to French based on your IP address location. Or if you use a VPN with a server in Germany, LinkedIn may show German based on the VPN IP.
So if you notice the language changing when accessing LinkedIn from different networks or locations, this geo-targeting is likely the reason why.
Device Language Settings
In addition to browser and LinkedIn settings, your device language preferences can also control the language LinkedIn displays in.
For example, if your iOS device is set to use Spanish, LinkedIn may adopt this language as well.
Here’s how to check device language settings:
iOS
- Go to Settings > General > Language & Region
- Make sure your preferred language is at the top of the list
Android
- Open Settings > System > Languages & input > Languages
- Reorder languages to put your preferred language at the top
Windows
- Go to Settings > Time & Language > Language
- Make sure your language is selected as the default
Putting your language preference first will make it the default for apps like LinkedIn.
Using a VPN or Proxy Service
If you access LinkedIn using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or proxy service, LinkedIn may display in the language associated with the country of the VPN server you are connected to.
For example, if you use a VPN with servers based in Mexico, LinkedIn may default to Spanish based on the IP address.
The same can happen if you access LinkedIn through an international proxy service. It can make LinkedIn think you are located in a different country and language.
So if this is happening, it’s likely due to the VPN or proxy IP settings. Try disconnecting from the VPN to see if LinkedIn reverts back to your native language.
LinkedIn A/B Language Testing
Finally, there’s a chance LinkedIn is running A/B tests with languages. A/B testing is when websites show different variations randomly to subsets of users in order to test differences.
For example, LinkedIn may show English for some users and Spanish for others as an experiment to see if it affects engagement.
If you are noticing LinkedIn flip back and forth occasionally, A/B testing could be the reason. These tests are temporary, so your language should revert back soon.
How to Change Your LinkedIn Language
If LinkedIn is showing in an incorrect or unfamiliar language, here are the key steps to change it back:
- Adjust your browser language settings to put your preferred language first
- Change your LinkedIn language preference in your account settings
- Make sure your device language is set to your native tongue
- If using a VPN or proxy, try disabling it and accessing LinkedIn normally
Following these steps should override any automatic or incorrect language selections. LinkedIn should display in the tongue you expect after updating these configurations.
If it still fails to change, try logging out and back into LinkedIn. A full logout and login can clear any cached language settings.
Also double check that you don’t have any browser extensions enabled that may be translating pages automatically without your knowledge.
Contact LinkedIn Support if Issues Persist
In most cases, adjusting your browser, LinkedIn, and device language settings as covered should resolve any unexpected languages.
However if you still continue to see the wrong language, it’s best to contact LinkedIn customer support directly to troubleshoot further:
- Go to the LinkedIn Help Center
- Search for the “Contact Us” form
- Choose “Something’s not working” for the issue type
- Explain you are seeing LinkedIn in the incorrect language
LinkedIn support can then dig into the issue, review your account configurations, and hopefully get everything fixed so LinkedIn displays in your preferred tongue.
Useful Tips to Avoid LinkedIn Language Issues
To avoid LinkedIn language problems in the future, here are some helpful tips:
- Set your browser language once and leave it
- Don’t use VPNs or proxies that mask your true location
- Check LinkedIn language settings periodically to make sure they haven’t changed
- Keep your device languages up to date with your preferences
- Log out fully from LinkedIn before switching locations or networks
Following these best practices should minimize the chances of LinkedIn inadvertently changing languages on you when you don’t expect it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common frequently asked questions about LinkedIn showing up in an unexpected language:
Why did my LinkedIn change from English to another language?
This is most likely caused by changes to your browser settings, LinkedIn settings, device settings, or IP address location that LinkedIn uses to determine which language to display in.
How do I change my LinkedIn back to English?
Go to your LinkedIn account settings and change the interface language option back to English or your preferred tongue. Also check your browser and device language settings.
Does LinkedIn automatically change languages?
LinkedIn will automatically change languages based on your configurations and IP address. It does this to try to serve you the language it thinks you want based on your settings and location.
Why does LinkedIn keep switching languages on me?
If LinkedIn keeps changing unexpectedly, it’s likely due to switching networks, VPN usage, or A/B testing. Try keeping your configurations consistent across locations to avoid unwanted language changes.
The Bottom Line
In summary, LinkedIn showing up in an incorrect or foreign language is annoying but easily fixed in most cases. By double checking your browser settings, LinkedIn settings, device configurations, and VPN usage, you can override the behavior and make LinkedIn default back to the language you expect and prefer. Don’t hesitate to contact LinkedIn support if issues continue even after updating your configurations. With a few simple tweaks, you’ll be back to browsing LinkedIn in your native tongue in no time.