License & Subscription Issues

How to Turn Off Microsoft 365 Recurring Billing and Remove Payment Method

Adam Davis Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to turn off recurring billing for Microsoft 365, remove an associated payment method, and understand why cancellation options might not be visible.

How to Turn Off Microsoft 365 Recurring Billing and Remove a Payment Method

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing a Microsoft 365 subscription to stop auto-renewal or safely remove billing details.
Observed behavior: The options to turn off recurring billing or cancel the subscription are sometimes unavailable, or payment methods cannot be deleted from the account.

Before you start

Ensure you have the login credentials (email address and password) for the specific Microsoft account that was originally used to purchase the Microsoft 365 subscription.

Solution 1Recommended

Turn Off Recurring Billing in Microsoft Services & Subscriptions

Access your Microsoft account portal to manage your subscription settings and officially turn off auto-renewal.

If your subscription was purchased through Microsoft, you must manage it directly through their online portal. Canceling auto-renewal ensures you will not be charged for the next billing cycle while retaining access to your Office apps until the expiration date.

Sign in to your Microsoft account

Navigate to the Microsoft 'Services & subscriptions' page in your web browser and log in with the account tied to your Microsoft 365 purchase.

Locate your Microsoft 365 subscription

Scroll through your active services to find your Microsoft 365 subscription. Click on the 'Manage' button next to it.

Select the cancellation option

Choose 'Turn off recurring billing' or 'Cancel' if the option is displayed. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your choice.

Turn Off Recurring Billing in Microsoft Services & Subscriptions

Missing Cancellation Option: If you do not see the 'Turn off recurring billing' option but instead see 'Paid with' and 'None', your subscription is already set to end on the date shown under 'Expires on', and no further action is required to stop billing.

Solution 2

Remove a Payment Method from Your Microsoft Account

Delete a credit card or other payment method from your account once it is no longer tied to an active recurring subscription.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Costly Recurring Subscriptions

If you are canceling Microsoft 365 to save money, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a robust, lightweight, and completely free alternative for your document processing needs without the burden of mandatory recurring billing.

1. Visit the WPS Office Website: Go to the official WPS website to access the free installer for your operating system.
2. Download the Installer: Click the 'Download WPS Office Free' button and save the setup file to your computer.
3. Install and Launch: Run the downloaded file, follow the quick installation prompts, and open WPS Office.
4. Open Existing Microsoft Files: Drag and drop your previous Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files directly into WPS Office to continue working seamlessly.

Completely free to use for essential office tasks (Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation)High compatibility with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)No mandatory recurring subscriptions or hidden cancellation feesLightweight installation and familiar user interface for a seamless migration

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I remove my credit card from my Microsoft account?

You cannot remove a payment method if it is currently linked to an active subscription with recurring billing enabled, or if there is a past-due balance on the account. You must first turn off recurring billing for the associated subscription or pay the outstanding balance before the 'Remove' option becomes available.

What happens to my Office apps when I turn off recurring billing?

Turning off recurring billing does not immediately revoke your access. You can continue to use your Microsoft 365 apps with full functionality until the subscription's 'Expires on' date. After that date, the applications will enter read-only mode, meaning you can view and print documents but cannot edit them or create new ones.

How do I know if my Microsoft 365 subscription is already canceled?

Log into your Microsoft 'Services & subscriptions' page. If the subscription shows 'Paid with' as 'None' and lists an 'Expires on' date rather than a 'Next charge' date, it means recurring billing is already off and the subscription will not auto-renew.

Can I get a refund after canceling my Microsoft 365 subscription?

Refund eligibility depends on your region and when you cancel. Typically, if you cancel within 30 days of purchasing an annual subscription or within 30 days of the initial purchase of a monthly subscription, you may be eligible for a pro-rated refund. If eligible, the refund option will appear during the cancellation process.

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