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What to Do If Charged Immediately After a Microsoft 365 Free Trial Sign-Up
Question details
The user was unexpectedly billed immediately upon signing up for a Microsoft 365 free trial and needs to know how to stop the charges and obtain a refund.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Signing up for a free trial of Microsoft 365.
- Observed behavior
- A payment was authorized or charged to the user's account immediately, despite the offer being a free trial.
Have your Microsoft account login credentials and the credit card or payment method details that were charged ready before proceeding.
Cancel the Subscription and Turn Off Recurring Billing
Prevent future unexpected charges by immediately disabling recurring billing on your Microsoft account.
To stop further charges, you must first manage your Microsoft account settings. Turning off recurring billing ensures your trial does not automatically convert to a paid subscription at the end of the promotional period.
Navigate to account.microsoft.com/services in your web browser and sign in with the exact Microsoft account you used for the trial sign-up.
Scroll through the list of your active services and subscriptions to find your Microsoft 365 trial.
Click on the 'Manage' button next to the Microsoft 365 subscription. Select either 'Turn off recurring billing' or 'Cancel subscription' depending on the options available.
Contact Microsoft Support for a Refund Review
If you have already been charged, you will need to speak directly with Microsoft Support to request a refund.
Contact Third-Party Retailers or App Stores
If you signed up through a mobile app store or third-party retailer, Microsoft cannot process the refund directly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Microsoft charge me for a free trial?
Some Microsoft 365 free trial offers may perform an initial authorization hold to verify your payment method. Additionally, if the specific trial terms dictate an immediate charge or if you previously used a trial on the same account, you may be billed instantly.
How long does a Microsoft 365 refund take to process?
Once a refund is approved by Microsoft Support, the funds typically take 3 to 5 business days to appear back in your account, depending on your bank's or payment provider's processing times.
Can I still use Microsoft 365 after I cancel my trial subscription?
If you cancel your subscription during a free trial period, you may lose access to premium Microsoft 365 features immediately. If you cancel a paid subscription, you can generally continue using the services until your current billing cycle expires.
