How to Cancel DIRECTV Services & Free Trial

With other streaming services offering cheaper but less complicated subscriptions, it’s a good idea to pull the plug and learn how to cancel DIRECTV services. DIRECTV has seen better days. One reason for the mass exodus of subscribers is the price of its packages. DIRECTV is more expensive than its competitors: Dish, Verizon, YouTube, and Max.

You might also be annoyed by the crazy number of fees that DIRECTV adds to your bill. For example, you have to pay monthly service fees such as “Regional Sports Fee,” “TV Access Fee,” “Advanced Receiver Fee,” and a “Minimum Service Fee” that’ll blow up your bill by US$57.98 per month. If you cancel DIRECTV, you might save enough money to watch the New York Yankees play… live!

DIRECTV Cancelation Process

Canceling a DIRECTV subscription isn’t the horror story you might have heard of. The important thing to remember is that you can only cancel your DIRECTV subscription by phone. Once you’re connected, ask for assistance from a retention representative, not a customer service representative. Only a retention representative can help you cancel your DIRECTV subscription.

Pro Tip: Cancel your DIRECTV subscription before your current billing cycle ends to avoid paying additional fees.

How to Cancel DIRECTV on Your Phone

Before calling DIRECTV, be ready with your account information, such as your account number and PINs you’ve set up.

1. Call 1-866-719-9347. Office hours are from Monday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
2. Make sure your account number is ready.
3. You’ll be prompted to choose from a set of options by pressing a specific number on your keypad. If cancelation isn’t part of the options, just choose “Other.”
4. A human customer service representative will take over the call. Make sure that you’re talking to a retention representative.
5. The retention representative will ask why you want to cancel your subscription. At times, they might dissuade you from canceling. But just be firm with your decision.

When the retention representative realizes that you’ve made up your mind, they’ll inform you of the next steps, which include paying the cancelation fee and returning any leased equipment.

Speaking of which…

1. If you cancel your subscription before the committed term of your contract, you’ll be charged an Early Termination Fee (ETF) that will be calculated as $20 multiplied by the number of months remaining in your contract.
2. If you lease equipment from DIRECTV, you must return the equipment when you cancel your subscription and it must be returned in good condition.

Note: Canceling a DIRECTV service also means discontinuing your free trial. This means you won’t be charged for a subscription.

How to Cancel a DIRECTV Stream Subscription

A DIRECTV stream subscription is the only service that can be canceled online.

1. Go to the DIRECTV website.
2. Log into your account.
3. Click the Gear icon, which can be found at the top-right corner of the page.
4. Go to “Settings”.
5. Click “Account Details”.
6. Click “Manage Subscription”.
7. Click “I Want to Cancel”.
8. Click “Continue to Cancel”.

You’ll be forwarded to a human customer service representative. Like the retention representative, the CSR will try to convince you not to cancel your DIRECTV service by offering discounts. Simply decline the offer and reiterate your decision to cancel your subscription.

The CSR will resume the conversation by informing you that you might have to pay a cancelation fee and reminding you to return the leased equipment.

Important Note: You cannot cancel your DIRECTV Stream subscription using the DIRECTV app. However, if you signed up for DIRECTV via Roku, you can cancel your subscription by using the Roku remote or by going to the Roku website.

Transfer or Suspension of DIRECTV Account

If you’re moving to a new location or will be away for an extended period, you have the option to transfer or suspend your DIRECTV subscription.

How to Transfer DIRECTV Service

1. Call 1-888-DTV-MOVE (1-888-388-6683).
2. Schedule a transfer of your subscription to your new location.
3. Bring all of your DIRECTV equipment – receivers, remote controls, and manual – with you.
4. Leave behind the Satellite Dish because DIRECTV will install a new Satellite Dish in your new location.

How to Suspend DIRECTV Service

1. Call 1-800-DIRECTV.
2. Wait for the prompt and respond with “Suspend Services.”
3. Follow the instructions.

Note: You can suspend your DIRECTV service from 30 days to six months. You won’t be charged during the period your account is suspended.

Related Articles:

• How to Cancel Verizon Wireless Service
• How to Cancel Discovery Plus Subscription
• How to Cancel Comcast Xfinity Services

Summary

From a high of 21 million subscribers in 2017, DIRECTV only had 11.3 million subscribers in 2023. Given rising prices and numerous add-on charges, it’s no surprise that you’re not the only one who wants to know how to cancel a DIRECTV subscription.

Just remember that DIRECTV can only be canceled by phone. DIRECTV Stream is the only service that can be canceled online. You’ll have to contact a human retention representative with both subscriptions. As long as you stand your ground, you should be able to cancel your subscription before the next billing date and not incur additional charges.