> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://api.smartlead.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Update Campaign Status

> Change the status of a campaign (start, pause, stop).

<Note>
  Change the status of a campaign (start, pause, stop) Updates campaign status to START, PAUSE, or STOP
</Note>

## Path Parameters

<ParamField path="campaign_id" type="number" required>
  The ID of the campaign to update
</ParamField>

## Query Parameters

<ParamField query="api_key" type="string" required>
  Your SmartLead API key
</ParamField>

## Request Body

<ParamField body="status" type="string" required>
  New campaign status

  Valid values (from API\_EMAIL\_CAMPAIGN\_STATUS):

  * `START` - Start or resume campaign (not "ACTIVE")
  * `PAUSED` - Temporarily pause sending
  * `STOPPED` - Permanently stop campaign

  Note: Use "START" not "ACTIVE" when activating a campaign
</ParamField>

<RequestExample>
  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl -X POST "https://server.smartlead.ai/api/v1/campaigns/123/status?api_key=YOUR_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{"status": "START"}'
  ```

  ```python Python theme={null}
  import requests

  API_KEY = "YOUR_API_KEY"
  campaign_id = 123

  response = requests.post(
      f"https://server.smartlead.ai/api/v1/campaigns/{campaign_id}/status",
      params={"api_key": API_KEY},
      json={"status": "ACTIVE"}
  )

  print("Campaign started!" if response.status_code == 200 else "Error")
  ```

  ```javascript JavaScript theme={null}
  const API_KEY = 'YOUR_API_KEY';
  const campaignId = 123;

  const response = await fetch(
    `https://server.smartlead.ai/api/v1/campaigns/${campaignId}/status?api_key=${API_KEY}`,
    {
      method: 'POST',
      headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
      body: JSON.stringify({ status: 'ACTIVE' })
    }
  );

  console.log('Campaign started!');
  ```
</RequestExample>

## Response Codes

<ResponseField name="200" type="Success">
  Request successful
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="400" type="Bad Request">
  Invalid request parameters or malformed request body
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="401" type="Unauthorized">
  Invalid or missing API key. Check your authentication.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="404" type="Not Found">
  The requested resource (campaign, lead, email account, etc.) does not exist or you don't have access to it
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="422" type="Validation Error">
  Request validation failed. Check parameter types, required fields, and value constraints.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="429" type="Rate Limit Exceeded">
  Too many requests. Please slow down and retry after the rate limit resets.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="500" type="Internal Server Error">
  Server error occurred. Please try again or contact support if the issue persists.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="503" type="Service Unavailable">
  API is temporarily unavailable or under maintenance. Please try again later.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseExample>
  ```json Success theme={null}
  {
    "success": true,
    "message": "Campaign status updated successfully",
    "campaign": {
      "id": 123,
      "status": "ACTIVE"
    }
  }
  ```

  ```json 401 - Unauthorized theme={null}
  {
    "message": "Invalid API Key"
  }
  ```

  ```json 404 - Not Found theme={null}
  {
    "error": "Resource not found"
  }
  ```

  ```json 422 - Validation Error theme={null}
  {
    "error": "Invalid parameters provided"
  }
  ```
</ResponseExample>

## Status Descriptions

| Status       | What It Does                                | Reversible? |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------- | ----------- |
| **ACTIVE**   | Starts sending emails according to schedule | Yes         |
| **PAUSED**   | Temporarily stops all sending               | Yes         |
| **STOPPED**  | Permanently stops campaign                  | No          |
| **ARCHIVED** | Hides from active campaigns list            | Yes         |

<Warning>
  **STOPPED** status is permanent and cannot be undone. Use **PAUSED** if you might want to resume later.
</Warning>

## When to Use Each Status

### ACTIVE

* Campaign is fully configured
* All sequences added
* Email accounts connected
* Leads imported
* Ready to send

### PAUSED

* Need to make adjustments
* Waiting for more leads
* Testing sequences
* Temporary hold

### STOPPED

* Campaign completed its goal
* Pivoting strategy
* No longer needed
* Permanently ending

### ARCHIVED

* Campaign is done but keep for records
* Want to hide from active list
* May reference later

## Implementation Details

START status triggers campaign validation and begins sending. STOP is permanent. Use PAUSE for temporary holds.

**Response Format**: object

## Related Endpoints

* [Get Campaign by ID](/api-reference/campaigns/get-by-id)
* [Update Campaign Settings](/api-reference/campaigns/update-settings)
* [Delete Campaign](/api-reference/campaigns/delete)