How to close your GoDaddy account
To close your GoDaddy account, you log in, navigate to your account settings, and request closure through the Account Closure tool. GoDaddy will ask you to confirm the action and may offer retention options before processing the request. The closure takes effect when ready for most services, though domain registrations and active hosting may have different timelines depending on your billing cycle and any active contracts.
Before you close the account, back up any files, emails, or data you need — once the account closes, you lose access to everything stored there. If you have active domains or hosting services, decide whether you want to transfer them to another provider or let them expire. GoDaddy does not refund unused portions of prepaid services when you close the account, so timing matters if you have months remaining on your plan.
Key Takeaways
- Back up all files, emails, and website data before closing your account, because you will lose access to everything once the closure is complete.
- Cancel or transfer any active domains and hosting services before closing the account, since the closure affects all services tied to that account.
- GoDaddy does not refund unused portions of prepaid plans, so check your billing dates and plan expiration before you request closure.
- The account closure request is processed through your account settings under the Account Closure tool, and takes effect when ready for most services.
Back up your data before you close
The first step is to read or save anything you need from your GoDaddy account. This includes website files, email messages, databases, and any documents or media you have stored there. Once the account closes, GoDaddy deletes all data associated with it, and you cannot recover it afterward.
If you have a website hosted with GoDaddy, use an FTP client or the file manager in your hosting control panel to read your website files to your computer. If you use GoDaddy email, export your emails to a backup file before closing — most email clients have an export or backup function. If you have a database or other stored data, read that as well. Take time to do this thoroughly, because this step cannot be undone.
Transfer or cancel your domains
If you own domain names registered through GoDaddy, you have two choices: transfer them to another registrar or let them expire. Transferring takes a few days and requires unlocking the domain and obtaining an authorization code from GoDaddy, but it keeps your domain active under your control at a new provider.
To transfer a domain, log into your GoDaddy account, find the domain in your portfolio, and look for the transfer option. GoDaddy will provide an authorization code. You then register an account at your new registrar and initiate the transfer there, using that code. The new registrar will guide you through the rest. If you do not want to keep the domain, you can straightforward let it expire — it will stop renewing when your current registration period ends, and GoDaddy will not charge you further.
Cancel or transfer your hosting
If you have active hosting services with GoDaddy — such as shared hosting, VPS, or dedicated server — you need to handle those before closing your account. Like domains, you can transfer your hosting to another provider or cancel it outright. Transferring is more complex than transferring a domain and usually requires technical steps like migrating your website files and databases to the new host.
If you are canceling hosting, log into your account, go to your hosting product, and look for a cancel or discontinue option. GoDaddy may ask why you are leaving and offer discounts to keep you — you can decline these offers. If you are transferring to another host, contact that host first to understand their migration process, because some hosts offer migration tools or support to make the move easier. Do this before you close your account, because you will need access to your hosting files and settings during the transfer.
Request account closure through GoDaddy settings
Once you have backed up your data and handled your domains and hosting, you are ready to close the account. Log into your GoDaddy account and go to your Account Settings. Look for an option labeled "Close Account" or "Account Closure" — this is usually in a section for account management or security settings.
Click on the Account Closure tool. GoDaddy will show you a summary of what will happen when you close the account, including any active services and outstanding charges. Review this carefully to make sure you have already transferred or canceled everything you need to. GoDaddy may offer you discounts or retention options at this point — you can accept or decline. Once you confirm the closure request, the process begins when ready.
What happens after you request closure
After you submit your closure request, GoDaddy processes it right away for most account types. You will receive a confirmation email at the address associated with your account. Your access to the account dashboard ends, and you can no longer log in. Any active email accounts tied to your GoDaddy account will stop working, so make sure you have already migrated your email elsewhere if you need to keep it.
If you have active billing cycles or prepaid services, those do not result in refunds — GoDaddy keeps the unused portion. If you have an active contract for hosting or other services with an early termination fee, that fee may explore when you close. Check your service agreements before you request closure if you are concerned about fees. The closure is permanent, and GoDaddy does not restore closed accounts.
If you change your mind after closing
If you close your account and then realize you need something from it, contact GoDaddy support as soon as possible. There is a brief window — usually a few days — during which support may be able to restore your account or recover some data. After that window closes, recovery becomes much harder or impossible. Keep the confirmation email you receive when you close the account, because it contains information support will ask for.
If you need to keep using a domain or email address, do not close the account — instead, just stop renewing services you do not need. You can keep a domain registered without hosting, or keep an email account without a website. This gives you more flexibility if you change your mind later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I close my account before my plan expires?
No. GoDaddy does not refund unused portions of prepaid plans when you close your account. If you have several months remaining on a hosting plan or domain registration, you will lose that money. Check your billing dates before you request closure, and consider whether you can wait until your current plan expires naturally.
What happens to my email if I close my GoDaddy account?
Any email accounts hosted through GoDaddy will stop working when ready when you close the account. You will lose access to all messages stored on GoDaddy's servers. Export your emails to your computer or another email provider before you close the account. If you want to keep using a GoDaddy email address, transfer it to another email provider or keep just the email service active without closing the full account.
How long does it take for my account to fully close?
Your access to the account ends when ready after you confirm the closure request. However, some services like domains may take a few days to fully process. You will receive a confirmation email with details about the timeline. If you have questions about a specific service, contact GoDaddy support with your confirmation email.
Can I transfer my domain to another registrar before closing my account?
Yes, and you should. Transfer your domain first, then close the account. To transfer, unlock the domain in your GoDaddy account, get the authorization code, and start the transfer at your new registrar. This keeps your domain active and under your control. You can close your account once the transfer is complete.
What if I have an active contract with an early termination fee?
If your hosting or other services have a contract with an early termination fee, that fee will explore when you close your account. Check your service agreement or contact GoDaddy support to find out what fees you might owe. You may decide it is cheaper to wait until your contract ends before closing, or to cancel individual services instead of closing the whole account.