License & Subscription Issues

How to Cancel Microsoft 365 Basic and Request a Refund

Muhammad Talha Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to cancel a Microsoft 365 Basic subscription and secure a refund for ongoing charges.

How to Cancel Microsoft 365 Basic and Request a Refund

Product: Microsoft 365 Basic
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: The user removed their payment card but continues to be charged. Attempting to manage the billing via Microsoft redirects them to Google Play, which shows no active subscription.
Observed behavior: Microsoft 365 Basic continues recurring billing despite the payment method being removed. The Microsoft account portal redirects to Google Play, where the subscription and payment method are missing.

Before you start

Ensure you have the login credentials for both your Microsoft account and the specific Google Play account (if applicable) that was originally used to purchase the Microsoft 365 Basic subscription.

Solution 1Recommended

Turn Off Recurring Billing via Microsoft Account

Use the Microsoft account management portal to manually disable recurring billing and prevent future unauthorized charges.

If your subscription is billed directly by Microsoft, you can turn off recurring billing from the Services & subscriptions page. Doing this will stop any future charges, and your subscription will simply expire at the end of its current billing cycle.

Sign in to Microsoft Account

Navigate to the Microsoft account billing page (account.microsoft.com/services) and log in with the email associated with your Microsoft 365 Basic subscription.

Locate Your Subscription

Scroll through your list of services to find 'Microsoft 365 Basic' and click on 'Manage'.

Disable Recurring Billing

Click on 'Turn off recurring billing' or 'Cancel subscription' and follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the cancellation.

Turn Off Recurring Billing via Microsoft Account

Refund Eligibility: Simply turning off recurring billing does not automatically issue a refund. You must contact support if you believe you are entitled to one based on Microsoft's refund policy.

Solution 2

Contact Microsoft Support for a Refund

Because billing discrepancies involve private account information, you must speak directly with Microsoft Support to locate hidden charges and request a refund.

Solution 3

Check Alternate Google Play Accounts

If Microsoft redirects you to Google Play but no subscription appears, you are likely signed into the wrong Google account on your device.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Free, Subscription-Free Experience

If you are canceling Microsoft 365 to avoid recurring monthly charges, WPS Office is the perfect solution. It offers a powerful, all-in-one office suite that is completely free to use without requiring a credit card or subscription.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded file and follow the quick installation prompts.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and immediately start opening and editing your existing Microsoft Office documents without any formatting loss.

Completely free to use with no hidden recurring subscription chargesSeamlessly open, edit, and save Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Lightweight application that runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and AndroidFamiliar tabbed user interface makes migration from Microsoft Office effortless

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft redirect me to Google Play to manage my subscription?

If you originally purchased the Microsoft 365 Basic subscription through the OneDrive or Microsoft 365 app on an Android device, the billing is handled by Google's payment system. Microsoft cannot cancel it on their end, which is why they redirect you to Google Play's subscription management page.

Can I get a refund if I forgot to cancel my Microsoft 365 subscription?

Refund eligibility depends on Microsoft's terms. Typically, you may qualify for a refund if you cancel a monthly subscription within 30 days of the initial purchase, or an annual subscription within 30 days of renewal. You must contact Microsoft Support directly to request the refund.

How do I stop charges if neither Microsoft nor Google Play shows my subscription?

If the subscription cannot be located on any of your known accounts but your bank or credit card is still being charged, you must contact Microsoft Support with the transaction IDs from your bank statement. If they cannot resolve it, you may need to contact your financial institution to block the merchant.

What happens to my files when I cancel Microsoft 365 Basic?

When you cancel Microsoft 365 Basic, your OneDrive storage quota will drop back to the free 5GB tier. Your files will not be deleted immediately, but if you are over the 5GB limit, your OneDrive will become read-only. You will not be able to upload or edit files until you download and delete enough data to get back under the 5GB limit.

Login & Account Issues