Cancel through your Battle.net account settings

The fastest way to cancel World of Warcraft is through your Battle.net account page, which takes about two minutes. Log in at account.battle.net, go to "Subscriptions," find World of Warcraft, and select "Cancel Subscription." Blizzard will ask you to confirm, then your subscription ends on your next billing date — you keep access until that date arrives.

Your characters and account remain intact after cancellation. You can return and play for free up to level 20 on any realm, or resubscribe later without losing anything. Blizzard does not delete accounts or characters when you cancel, even if you stay unsubscribed for years.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancel directly through Battle.net account settings under "Subscriptions" — this is the official method and takes a few minutes.
  • Your subscription ends on your next billing date, not immediately, so you keep full access until then.
  • Characters and account data stay on Blizzard's servers after cancellation; you can return and play free-to-play or resubscribe anytime.
  • If you cannot access your account, contact Blizzard Support through the Battle.net website to cancel by phone or email.
  • Recurring charges stop after cancellation, but any game time you prepaid is not refunded unless you cancel within a specific window after purchase.

What happens to your account after you cancel

When your subscription ends, you lose access to paid features: you cannot enter endgame zones, raid, or play characters above level 20. You can still log in and play the free-to-play version, which includes the base game and some older expansions up to a level cap.

Your characters remain on the server with all their gear, gold, and progress saved. If you resubscribe later, you return to exactly where you left off. Blizzard does not charge you anything during the time you are unsubscribed, and there is no penalty for taking a break.

Refunds for prepaid time or recent purchases

Blizzard's refund policy depends on how recently you bought the subscription. If you purchased a subscription or game time within the last 30 days and have not used most of it, you may be able to request a refund through Battle.net Support. The window is tight — Blizzard measures this from the purchase date, not from when you cancel.

Expansion purchases and in-game cosmetics have different refund rules. Expansions can sometimes be refunded within 30 days if you have not reached the expansion's level cap. Cosmetic items like mounts or pets are generally non-refundable once purchased. Contact Blizzard Support with your order number if you think you are within the refund window.

Cancel through Blizzard Support if you cannot access your account

If you cannot log into Battle.net, forgot your password, or your account is locked, you can still cancel through Blizzard Support. Visit support.blizzard.com, select World of Warcraft, and choose "Account and Subscription." From there you can start a chat, submit a ticket, or call the support line — Blizzard staff can cancel your subscription over the phone or email.

Have your account name, registered email address, and the phone number or payment method on file ready when you contact them. Support response times vary, but chat and phone options are usually faster than email tickets.

Stop recurring charges before they restart

After you cancel, your subscription ends on your next billing date. Make sure you do not accidentally resubscribe by checking that recurring billing is turned off in your Battle.net payment settings. Some players cancel the subscription but forget to disable auto-renewal, which can restart charges months later if they log back in.

If you see a charge after you cancelled, contact Blizzard Support with your receipt or transaction ID. Charges within 30 days of cancellation can sometimes be reversed if you did not use the time.

Difference between cancelling and taking a break

Cancelling your subscription stops all charges immediately and ends your access to paid content on your next billing date. Taking a break means you keep the subscription active but simply do not log in — you are still being charged, but your characters stay in the same state and you can return anytime without resubscribing.

If you plan to return within a few weeks, cancelling saves money. If you think you might come back within days and want to keep your subscription active, you can just stop playing without cancelling. Either way, your account and characters are safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my characters if I cancel?

No. Your characters stay on the server permanently after you cancel. When you resubscribe, you log back in and find them exactly as you left them, with all gear, gold, and progress intact. Blizzard does not delete accounts or characters for inactivity.

Can I cancel mid-month and get a refund for unused time?

Blizzard does not refund unused subscription time if you cancel mid-month. However, if you purchased the subscription within the last 30 days and have not used most of it, you may be able to request a refund through Blizzard Support. The refund window is strict and measured from purchase date.

What if I cancel but then want to play again next week?

You can resubscribe anytime through Battle.net. Your account and characters will be waiting. There is no penalty for cancelling and resubscribing later, and you do not lose anything by taking a break.

Will Blizzard charge me after I cancel?

No, charges stop after your current billing period ends. Make sure recurring billing is turned off in your payment settings so that auto-renewal does not restart your subscription if you log back in later.

Can I cancel through the WoW launcher instead of Battle.net?

No. You must cancel through the Battle.net website at account.battle.net under "Subscriptions." The WoW launcher itself does not have a cancellation option. If you cannot access Battle.net, contact Blizzard Support to cancel by phone or email.