The Ultimate Guide to Canceling a DIRECTV Subscription

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Easily cancel your DIRECTV satellite, internet, or DIRECTV STREAM membership
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This wikiHow article teaches you how to cancel your DIRECTV via Internet or DIRECTV Satellite service by calling a customer service representative and requesting that the service be canceled. If you have a DIRECTV STREAM subscription, which is similar to Netflix or Hulu, you can cancel it in your DIRECTV STREAM settings online (not in the app). Keep in mind that canceling your DIRECTV subscription before its contract is up will result in a one-time cancellation fee as well as a $20 per month fee for every remaining month in your contract. [1]

Canceling DIRECTV Over the Phone or Online

  • To cancel DIRECTV satellite or DIRECTV via internet service, call DIRECTV at (800) 531-5000 to speak with a customer service representative.
  • You can cancel DIRECTV STREAM by signing in to your online account and going to Manage My TV Package > Cancel my service .
  • If you're in a contract, an early termination fee of $20 per month of remaining service may be applied.
Section 1 of 4:

How to Cancel DIRECTV (via Internet or Satellite)

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  1. The DIRECTV line is (800) 531-5000. It is available each day between 8 am and 9 PM CT. [2] By calling, you can speak to a representative about canceling your subscription.
    • Calling is the only way to cancel a subscription if you subscribe to a DIRECTV service that requires certain hardware, such as a satellite dish or Gemini Air device. [3]
    • If you subscribe to DIRECTV Stream, the streaming option that doesn't require leasing or buying hardware from DIRECTV, jump down to instructions on canceling your subscription online .
    • To learn more about what happens when you cancel DIRECTV service, see What happens when I cancel DIRECTV?
  2. Say "Cancel service" when asked what you want to do or why you're calling.
    • Keep in mind that DIRECTV phone options change often, so you may have a different experience up to the point of contact.
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  3. 3
    Ask to speak to the retention department. When you reach a person, immediately ask if you're speaking to the retention department; if they say no, ask to be transferred to retention. You'll most likely be encouraged to explain the nature of your call before proceeding.[Image:Cancel DIRECTV Step 4 Version 2.jpg|center]]
    • You may have to hold for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on when you call.
    • Call during low call volume times, such as between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM on weekdays, to reduce the hold time.
  4. Be honest, and be clear about why you want to cancel. No matter what you say, they will try to convince you to stay. The most important thing is that you are firm in your decision to cancel.
    • Saying that you're moving to a different country will generally warrant mixed results, as your chosen country may have DIRECTV coverage. Implying that you're leaving to serve in the Peace Corps (or similar), however, is usually enough to render the customer representative's arguments invalid.
  5. As is custom, your representative will offer discounts, free services, and even extra time on your free trial if applicable. Firmly (but politely) decline these offers by repeating, "Thanks, but I still want to cancel my service."
    • Never be rude to your customer service representative.
  6. Once the representative accepts that you want to cancel your service, they will provide instructions on how to package and send your equipment. In most cases, they will deliver a pre-paid delivery box to your house. [4]
    • You usually have 21 days to return DIRECTV's property.
  7. Place all DIRECTV equipment, such as the receivers and remotes, in the box and return it using the provided label. The exceptions are your satellite dish , cords, cables, splitters, and switches—you don't need to send these back to DIRECTV.
    • Make sure to disconnect all receivers and remotes and collect them together.
    • If you rented any other equipment, like a video recording device or an internet router, you’ll have to disconnect that as well.
    • If your DIRECTV shipping box doesn't arrive within five business days, call them back and request another one, making sure to tell them to reset the 21-day clock for your equipment. Otherwise, you may be charged a fee for the equipment.
  8. Most DIRECTV subscriptions are contractual, meaning you'll need to pay a fee for each remaining month of your contract if you cancel before the contract ends. [5] This fee is usually $20 per month.
    • You may be able to get this fee waived if you're canceling DIRECTV for a family member who passed away.
    • Jump down to How to Avoid Cancelation Fees for more tips on preventing fees.
  9. Once you've sent away the DIRECTV equipment and paid your termination fee(s), call back DIRECTV support and ask them if they received the equipment and payment.
    • You may have to do this a few times if they reject your initial payment or send back the equipment.
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Section 2 of 4:

How to Cancel DIRECTV STREAM

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  1. 1
    Sign in to your DIRECTV STREAM account. If you are the account owner, log in to your DIRECTV account online using your username and password. [6]
    • DIRECTV STREAM is DIRECTV's streaming-only service that does not require any special equipment. You can easily cancel DIRECTV STREAM online.
    • If you aren't logged in, click "SIGN IN" in the top-left corner of the page, and enter your email address and password.
    • You cannot cancel DIRECTV STREAM from within the mobile app.
  2. 2
    Select Manage my TV Subscription . This may say "Manage My TV Package" on some devices. [7]
  3. 3
    Click Cancel my service . This may say "Cancel my subscription" on some devices. This will take you to the cancelation page.
  4. During the cancellation process, you will be prompted to explore alternatives to cancelation, such as pausing your service or switching to a different package. If you choose to pause your service, take note of the restart date, as you will be charged on that date for your next month of the subscription. [8]
    • If you purchased a 24-month subscription, you will be charged an early termination fee of $20 per remaining month of service.
    • If you are not in a contract, you can continue watching DIRECTV STREAM content until the last day of the billing cycle, and you will not be charged again. [9]
    • You may restart your DIRECTV STREAM service at any time, and your current service will remain available until your next billing cycle.
    • If you enter your request later than 7:00 PM EST, your request will be processed on the next business day. This means you'll be billed for another month of service if you cancel after 7:00 PM EST the day before your subscription is set to renew.
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Avoid Cancelation Fees

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  1. If you cancel at the right time, you may be able to avoid a cancellation fee. This will ultimately depend on your billing cycle, how long you've had your service, and when you're slated to renew your contract. [10]
    • If DIRECTV informs you of a rate hike, they may also allow you to cancel your service without a fee. These hikes often occur in December.
    • Cancel at the end of your contract. If you cancel right before your contract is up, there either won't be a fee, or it will be really small. Most contracts are one or two years long, so pay attention when renewal time comes around.
    • Conversely, if you cancel before your term of service (typically 12 to 24 months) has elapsed, you must pay a prorated cancellation fee. This fee may be as much as $480, depending on the type of programming package and equipment you have.
  2. When calling to cancel, you should always be extremely polite to the customer service representative. This is important, as representatives (and their supervisors) may have discretion when it comes to waiving your cancellation fee.
    • Ask them how they are doing when they inquire the same of you.
    • Tell them "thank you" when appropriate.
    • Don't groan, complain, use profanity, or insult the representative.
  3. Honesty may be the best policy, but getting out of DIRECTV's cancellation fees may require a white lie or two. If you say you are moving to a country like Thailand or Portugal - where DIRECTV does not offer coverage - you may be able to avoid paying the fees.
  4. If the representative says they're not allowed to waive the fee, escalate the call by asking to speak to their supervisor. The supervisor might have abilities that the initial representative did not.
    • Inform the supervisor that you enjoy DIRECTV's service and that you may sign up with them again in the future.
    • If they tell you they can't waive the fee, ask them to reduce it.
    • Inform the supervisor that the contract was confusingly worded.
    • You can also threaten to contact the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Communications Commission about DIRECTV's misrepresentation of its service contract. However, this should be your last move since it negates any courtesy up to this point.
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Section 4 of 4:

What happens when I cancel DIRECTV?

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  1. 1
    Canceling DIRECTV Satellite
    • If you were in a free trial period, your trial will end immediately and you will not be charged.
    • If you are in a contract, you will be notified of your Early Termination Fee if necessary.
    • You can continue logging in to your DIRECTV online account to access billing statements for a year.
    • All TV packages, add-ons, and streaming services subscribed to through DIRECTV will be canceled.
    • Any DVR recordings in the cloud will be erased.
    • You will receive an email containing instructions for returning your equipment (such as your set-top box or satellite dish).
      • If equipment is not returned, you may be assessed a non-return fee. [11]
  2. 2
    Canceling DIRECTV via Internet
    • If you were in a free trial period, your trial will end immediately and you will not be charged.
    • If you are in a 24-month subscription and cancel before your contract ends, you will be subject to a $20 early termination fee for each remaining month. [12]
    • If you paid for your subscription in full, your service will remain active until the last day of the billing cycle, and you will not be charged again.
    • You can continue logging in to your DIRECTV online account to access billing statements for a year.
    • All TV packages, add-ons, and streaming services subscribed to through DIRECTV will be canceled.
    • Any DVR recordings in the cloud will be erased.
    • You will receive an email containing instructions for returning your Gemini equipment.
      • If equipment is not returned, you may be assessed a non-return fee.
  3. 3
    Canceling DIRECTV Stream
    • If you were in a free trial period, your trial will end immediately and you will not be charged a fee.
    • If you cancel within 14 days of subscribing, you will receive a full refund.
    • If you have any equipment from DIRECTV that you have not paid in full, you must return it within 14 days of cancellation.
    • If you purchased a 2-year contract and need to cancel early, you will be charged $20 for each remaining month in your commitment. For example, if you cancel after five months of service, your ETF will be $500. [13]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    I'm disappointed with DIRECTV, can I cancel right now?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but you will still be required to pay your final bill and any additional fees you might owe, including cancellation fees as stipulated in your contract. Keep in mind when you call to cancel, they might be willing to negotiate a better deal with you to keep you on as a customer.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 41
  • Question
    Is there a window to cancel a new signup for a package?
    Community Answer
    You can cancel it anytime before installation. If it has already been installed, you will have to pay the early termination fee.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Do I need to return the equipment?
    Community Answer
    Yes, unless you own it. Keep the dish, cable, and mounts. Return the receivers and broadband adapters.
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      Tips

      • If you are moving to another location within the country and want to put your account on hold, dial (888) 388-6683. [14]
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      • DIRECTV employees are trained to attempt to keep you on your plan by using any legal means necessary, so you'll have to stand firm in your decision to cancel. With that in mind, always be polite and courteous—the people on the other end of the phone are just doing their jobs.
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      Warnings

      • DIRECTV likes to offer lots of free services as incentives for staying on your plan; however, be aware that the services will often automatically renew at the end of the free trial, resulting in you being billed for the service.
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      • Cancelling DIRECTV at the beginning of a renewal cycle is the most expensive cancellation option. Keep track of your renewal period so you don't accidentally cancel at the beginning of a two-year contract.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.directv.com/support/article/000095490
      2. ↑ https://www.directv.com/customer-service
      3. ↑ https://www.directv.com/insider/satellite-tv-vs-over-internet-tv/
      4. ↑ https://www.directv.com/customer/cancel-help
      5. ↑ https://www.directv.com/customer/cancel-help
      6. ↑ https://www.directv.com/legal/directv-stream-cancellation-policy/
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfHp6qVZZzg
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfHp6qVZZzg
      9. ↑ https://www.directv.com/legal/directv-stream-cancellation-policy/
      1. ↑ https://www.directv.com/legal/directv-stream-cancellation-policy/
      2. ↑ https://www.directv.com/support/article/000092807
      3. ↑ https://www.directv.com/support/article/000095490
      4. ↑ https://www.directv.com/legal/directv-stream-cancellation-policy/
      5. ↑ https://www.directv.com/customer/cancel-help

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To cancel your DirecTV subscription, call DirecTV customer support at 1-800-531-5000. Then, follow any spoken prompts and press the numbers on your keypad to navigate to “Other” or “All other enquiries.” When you’re asked why you’re calling, say “Cancel service.” Once you’ve gotten through to a person, ask to speak to the retention department, if you’re not already. After that, explain that you want to cancel your service. If the customer service representative offers you any discounts or services, refuse them. When you’ve finished the call, you’ll receive a box in the post, which you should pack with your DirecTV equipment and post back to DirecTV. You’ll also need to pay a cancellation fee and any outstanding balance on your contract. For more tips, including how to cancel your DirecTV Now subscription, read on!

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