Cancel through your Battle.net account settings

You cancel a World of Warcraft subscription through your Battle.net account, not through the game itself. Log into your account at battle.net, go to Account Settings, then select Subscriptions. You will see your active WoW subscription listed with a Cancel Subscription button next to it. Click that button and confirm the cancellation. Your subscription ends on the date it was set to renew — you keep access until that date, then the account converts to a free trial.

If you have multiple subscriptions (WoW, Diablo, Overwatch, or others), each one appears separately in that list. Make sure you are cancelling only the one you intend to stop. You can cancel one subscription and keep others active on the same account.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancel through Battle.net account settings under Subscriptions, not through the game client or in-game menus.
  • Your access continues until your next renewal date — cancellation does not cut you off when ready.
  • If you cannot access your account, contact Blizzard support by phone or ticket to cancel on your behalf.
  • Pausing your subscription is not an option; you must either stay subscribed or cancel and lose access after the renewal date.
  • Your characters and items remain on the account if you return later, but you cannot log in or play without an active subscription or free trial.

What happens to your characters and items after cancellation

When your subscription ends, your characters stay on the account permanently. You do not lose them, and they do not get deleted after a certain time. If you resubscribe later, you log back in and find everything as you left it — gear, gold, quest progress, all of it.

While your subscription is inactive, you cannot log into those characters or access the game at all. You can view your character list on the Battle.net website, but you cannot play. The free trial account that replaces your subscription has strict limits: level 20 cap, no gold above 10, no access to guilds or the auction house, and no ability to trade with other players.

If you cannot access your Battle.net account

If you forgot your password, lost access to your email, or cannot log into Battle.net for any reason, contact Blizzard support directly. You can submit a support ticket through the Battle.net website (go to Account Support, then select your issue) or call their phone line. Have your account name, registered email, and any payment information ready.

Support can cancel your subscription without you logging in, though the process takes longer than self-service cancellation. Phone support is usually faster than tickets if you need the cancellation done quickly. Blizzard's support hours and phone numbers vary by region — check the Battle.net support page for your country.

Cancelling a subscription paid through a third party

If you pay for WoW through a third-party platform — PlayStation Network, Xbox Game Pass, Amazon Prime Gaming, or a mobile carrier — you must cancel through that platform, not through Battle.net. The subscription will still appear in your Battle.net account, but the cancel button will not work because Blizzard does not handle the billing.

For PlayStation or Xbox subscriptions, go to your console's account settings and manage subscriptions there. For Amazon Prime Gaming, log into your Prime account, go to Your Content and Devices, then Subscriptions, and cancel WoW. For mobile carrier billing, contact your carrier's customer service. After you cancel through the third party, the subscription stops renewing and your Battle.net access ends on the next renewal date.

Reactivating your subscription later

If you cancel and later want to play again, you can resubscribe through the same Battle.net account. Log in, go to Account Settings, select Subscriptions, and choose the subscription option you want (usually one month or a longer plan). Your characters are still there, and you regain full access when ready after payment processes.

Blizzard sometimes offers discounts or promotions for returning players, though these are not may provide. Check your email after cancelling — Blizzard occasionally sends offers to inactive accounts. You can also check the WoW website to see if any current promotions are running.

Avoiding accidental resubscription

After you cancel, make sure you receive a confirmation email from Blizzard. This email confirms the cancellation date and shows your subscription will not renew. Keep this email for your records. If you do not receive a confirmation within a few hours, log back into Battle.net and verify the subscription is gone from your Subscriptions list.

If you are charged after cancelling, contact Blizzard support when ready with your confirmation email and the charge receipt. Support can refund the charge if the cancellation was processed correctly on their end. Disputes with your bank or payment processor take longer, so going through Blizzard first is faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pause my subscription instead of cancelling?

No. WoW subscriptions do not have a pause option. You either stay subscribed or cancel. If you want to stop playing temporarily, cancelling is the only way to stop the monthly charge. You can resubscribe whenever you want and your characters will still be there.

Will I lose my characters if I cancel?

No. Your characters remain on the account indefinitely. They do not get deleted after cancellation, and you can log back in and play them if you resubscribe. You straightforward cannot access them while the subscription is inactive.

How long do I have access after I cancel?

You keep access until your next renewal date. If your subscription renews on the 15th and you cancel on the 1st, you can play until the 15th. After that date, the account converts to a free trial with level 20 limits.

What if I was charged after I cancelled?

Contact Blizzard support with your cancellation confirmation email and the charge receipt. If the cancellation was processed correctly, support can refund the charge. Provide the date you cancelled and the date you were charged so support can investigate quickly.

Can I cancel a subscription bought as a gift?

Yes. If someone bought you a subscription code or time card, it is added to your account like any other subscription. You cancel it the same way through Battle.net account settings. The person who bought it cannot cancel it — only the account owner can.