How to Fix Microsoft Office Charging for Annual Subscription During Free Trial
Question details
The user was charged for an annual subscription at the start of a free trial period and wants to understand the charge and stop future billing.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Starting a free trial but getting billed immediately for an annual subscription.
- Observed behavior
- An unexpected annual charge appears on the payment card despite the free trial promotion.
Keep your payment card details and the exact date and amount of the charge handy to quickly verify the transaction in your Microsoft account.
Verify the Charge and Cancel the Subscription
Determine if the unexpected charge is linked to your current Microsoft account and cancel the active subscription to prevent further billing.
Often, a free trial may convert early or the payment card might be linked to a different Microsoft account, such as a family member's account that has recurring billing enabled.
Go to account.microsoft.com/billing/orders in your web browser and sign in with the Microsoft account you used to start the trial.
Check the list of recent transactions to verify if the annual subscription charge corresponds to your free trial. If it is not listed, your card may be tied to another account.
Go to account.microsoft.com/services to view all active subscriptions tied to your account.
Locate the active subscription, select 'Manage', and click 'Cancel subscription' to stop future billing.
Contact Microsoft Support for a Refund
If you cannot cancel the subscription yourself or if the charge came from an unknown account, contact support to resolve the issue.
Avoid Costly Subscriptions with WPS Office
Stop worrying about unexpected trial charges and recurring annual fees. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and powerful alternative to Microsoft Office, offering full compatibility with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats without the billing headaches.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the Free Download button.
- 2. Install the software: Run the downloaded file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your device.
- 3. Open and edit files immediately: Launch WPS Office and seamlessly open your existing Microsoft Office documents without worrying about format issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was I charged during a free trial?
This can happen if a free trial was previously claimed using the same Microsoft account or payment method. Additionally, it could be a temporary authorization hold to verify your card, which is usually refunded automatically within a few days.
Can I get a refund for an accidental Microsoft Office subscription?
Yes, Microsoft often provides refunds if you cancel the subscription within 30 days of the purchase or renewal date. You can request this through the Services & Subscriptions portal or by contacting Microsoft Support directly.
What if the charge doesn't show up in my Microsoft account order history?
If the charge isn't visible in your order history, your payment card might be linked to a different account, such as a family member's account. You will need to check those accounts or contact Microsoft Support and provide your card details for them to locate the charge.
