How to cancel your GoDaddy account
To cancel your GoDaddy account, log in to your account dashboard, go to Settings, select Account, and click the "Close Account" button. GoDaddy will ask you to confirm the cancellation and may offer discounts to keep you. Once you confirm, your account closes — but this does not automatically cancel your domains, hosting, or other services. You must cancel each product separately before the account fully closes, or you will continue to be charged for renewals.
The process takes about five minutes, but the timing of when charges stop depends on what products you own and when their renewal dates fall. If you cancel mid-billing cycle, most services will remain active until the current billing period ends, then stop renewing.
Key Takeaways
- Closing your GoDaddy account does not automatically cancel your domains, hosting, or email — you must cancel each product individually to stop all charges.
- Log in to your account, navigate to Settings > Account, and click "Close Account" to begin the cancellation process.
- GoDaddy will show you all active products and their renewal dates before you finalize the closure.
- If you cancel mid-billing cycle, your services remain active until the current period ends, then stop renewing automatically.
- You can download your domain records and website files before closing to use them elsewhere.
Cancel individual products before closing your account
GoDaddy charges you separately for domains, hosting plans, email, SSL certificates, and other add-ons. Closing your account does not cancel these — it only closes your login access. You need to cancel each one before the account closure is final, or the charges will continue.
To cancel a specific product, log in, go to Products, find the service you want to remove, and select the cancellation option. For domains, you can let them expire instead of renewing, which stops charges without formally canceling. For hosting, you must cancel the plan directly or it will renew on its billing date. Check your renewal dates in the Products section so you know when charges will stop.
What happens to your domain after cancellation
If you cancel your GoDaddy account but keep the domain registered elsewhere, the domain remains yours as long as you renew it before the expiration date. If you let it expire without renewing, GoDaddy holds it in a grace period for about 18 days, then releases it back to the public registry. After release, anyone can register it.
Before you cancel, download your domain's DNS records and any configuration files you need. If you plan to move your domain to another registrar, request an authorization code (also called an EPP code) from GoDaddy first — you will need it to transfer the domain. You can request this code in your domain settings even after you close your account, as long as the domain has not expired.
Back up your website and email before closing
If you host a website with GoDaddy, download all your files before you cancel. Log in to your hosting account, use File Manager or an FTP client to download your website files, and save a copy of your database if you use one. Once the hosting account closes, you lose access to these files.
If you use GoDaddy email, download your messages and contacts before cancellation. You can use an email client like Outlook or Thunderbird to download your mailbox, or export your contacts from GoDaddy's interface. After the account closes, you cannot recover emails or contacts.
Cancellation fees and refund policy
GoDaddy does not charge a cancellation fee to close your account. However, you do not receive refunds for the portion of your current billing cycle that remains. If you paid for a year of hosting and cancel after three months, you lose the remaining nine months of payment.
Domains are non-refundable once registered, even if you cancel immediately. If you registered a domain and want to cancel within GoDaddy's grace period (usually a few days), contact GoDaddy support to ask about a refund — they sometimes make exceptions, but it is not may provide. For other products like SSL certificates or email add-ons, the same non-refund rule applies.
How to cancel if you cannot log in
If you forgot your password or cannot access your account, reset your password using the login page. Click "Forgot your password?" and follow the email instructions. If you no longer have access to the email address on file, contact GoDaddy support by phone or chat — they can verify your identity and help you regain access or cancel the account.
GoDaddy support is available 24/7 by phone at 1-480-505-8877 or through live chat on their website. Have your account number or the phone number associated with the account ready when you contact them. Support can also cancel products and close your account on your behalf if you prefer not to do it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will canceling my GoDaddy account delete my website?
Canceling your account does not immediately delete your website, but it will become inaccessible once your hosting expires. If you cancel hosting mid-cycle, your site remains live until the current billing period ends. Download your website files before cancellation so you can move them to another host or keep a backup.
Can I cancel just my hosting and keep my domain?
Yes. You can cancel your hosting plan while keeping your domain registered. Log in, go to Products, find your hosting plan, and cancel it separately from your domain. Your domain will continue to renew on its schedule, and you can point it to a different host whenever you want.
What if I want to transfer my domain to another registrar?
Request an authorization code (EPP code) from GoDaddy before you transfer. Log in to your domain settings, find the authorization code option, and request it. The new registrar will ask for this code during the transfer process. You can request the code even after you close your account, as long as the domain has not expired.
How long does it take for my account to fully close?
Your account closes immediately after you confirm the cancellation, but your services may remain active until their current billing period ends. Charges stop renewing after that date. If you cancel mid-cycle, you have access until the cycle ends, then everything shuts down automatically.
Can I reopen my GoDaddy account after closing it?
You can create a new GoDaddy account at any time, but you cannot reopen a closed account. If you closed your account and want to use GoDaddy again, sign up as a new customer. Your old domains and services are gone unless you renewed them before the account closed.