Netflix deletion removes your account and all its data
Deleting a Netflix account is permanent and when ready. Once you confirm the deletion, Netflix closes your account, removes your watch history, removes any saved payment methods, and stops charging you. You cannot recover a deleted account or its data afterward. If you only want to pause payments without losing your profile and watch history, Netflix offers a pause option instead — but deletion is the only way to fully remove the account from their system.
The deletion process takes about five minutes and happens entirely through Netflix's website. You do not need to contact customer service unless something goes wrong during the process itself.
Key Takeaways
- Netflix account deletion is permanent and cannot be undone, so make sure you want to delete before you confirm.
- You must sign in to your account on a web browser to delete it — the Netflix app does not have a deletion option.
- Netflix will stop charging you when ready after deletion, even if you have an active subscription period remaining.
- If you share your Netflix account with others, they will lose access to all profiles and content the moment you delete.
- Pausing your account is available as an alternative if you want to keep your profile and watch history but stop paying temporarily.
Sign in to Netflix on a web browser
Open a web browser on your computer or phone and go to netflix.com. Sign in with the email address and password you use for your Netflix account. You must use a web browser — the Netflix mobile app does not have a delete account option, so trying to find it there will not work.
If you have forgotten your password, click "Forgot password?" on the sign-in page and follow the steps to reset it using your email address. You will need access to that email to complete the reset.
Navigate to account settings and find the delete option
After you sign in, look for your profile icon or account menu, usually in the top right corner of the page. Click it and select "Account" from the dropdown menu. This takes you to your account settings page.
Scroll down the account settings page until you find a section labeled "Membership and Billing" or "Plan Details." Below that section, look for a link or button that says "Cancel Membership" or "Delete Account." The exact wording varies slightly depending on your region and Netflix's current interface, but it will be in this area of the page.
Confirm the cancellation and deletion
Click the delete or cancel button. Netflix will show you a confirmation screen explaining that your account will be deleted and listing what you will lose — your watch history, saved preferences, and any active subscription. Read this screen carefully to make sure you understand the consequences.
Netflix may also offer you options to pause your account instead of deleting it. If you want to keep your account but stop paying, select the pause option. If you are certain you want to delete, select the deletion option and follow the final confirmation steps.
What happens when ready after deletion
Your Netflix account closes as soon as you confirm the deletion. You will be signed out, and anyone else using your account will also be signed out. If you try to sign in with that email address and password, Netflix will tell you the account does not exist.
Netflix stops charging you right away, even if you had a subscription period remaining. You will not receive a refund for unused time — Netflix does not issue refunds for partial subscription periods. If you were charged recently and want to dispute that charge, you would need to contact your bank or credit card company, not Netflix.
If you cannot find the delete option
Netflix occasionally changes where the delete button appears on the account settings page. If you cannot find it after scrolling through the entire Membership and Billing section, try searching the page using your browser's find function — press Ctrl+F on Windows or Command+F on Mac, then type "cancel" or "delete" to highlight the option.
If the button still does not appear, you may be signed in to a profile that does not have permission to delete the account. Netflix accounts can have multiple profiles, but only the account owner can delete the entire account. If someone else created the account and added you as a profile, you will not see the delete option. Ask the account owner to sign in and delete it themselves, or contact Netflix support for help determining who owns the account.
Pausing your account as an alternative
If you are not ready to delete permanently but want to stop paying, Netflix allows you to pause your account for up to three months. When you pause, your watch history, saved preferences, and profiles stay intact. You can resume your account at any time during the pause period without losing anything.
To pause instead of delete, select the pause option when Netflix shows you the confirmation screen. You will choose how long to pause — usually one, two, or three months — and Netflix will not charge you during that time. When the pause period ends, your account automatically resumes and billing restarts unless you pause again or delete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my Netflix account back after I delete it?
No. Netflix does not restore deleted accounts. If you delete your account, it is gone permanently along with all your watch history, saved preferences, and profiles. You can create a new Netflix account with the same email address, but it will be a completely separate account with no connection to the old one.
Will I get a refund if I delete Netflix mid-subscription?
No. Netflix does not issue refunds for unused subscription time. If you delete your account on the 5th of the month but your billing cycle runs through the 30th, you will not receive a refund for those remaining days. Your account straightforward closes and charging stops.
What happens to shared profiles when I delete my account?
Everyone loses access when ready. If you share your Netflix account with family members or friends, they will be signed out and unable to access Netflix through your account. They will need their own separate Netflix accounts to continue watching.
Do I need to cancel my payment method before deleting Netflix?
No. Deleting your account automatically stops Netflix from charging your payment method. You do not need to remove your credit card or change your payment settings first — deletion handles that for you.
What if Netflix says my account cannot be deleted?
This usually means you are not signed in as the account owner. If someone else created the account and added you as a profile, only they can delete it. Ask them to sign in and delete the account, or contact Netflix support with proof that you own the account and want it deleted.