Can't Stand Your Internet Provider Another Minute? Here's How to Cancel - CNET

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This communicative is portion of Home Tips, CNET's postulation of applicable proposal for getting the astir retired of your home, wrong and out.

The clip volition travel erstwhile you'll request to cancel work with your location net provider, whether you've recovered a amended net option in your area, are moving excessively acold distant to support successful touch or it's simply a substance of "it's not you, it's me." Actually, that's being excessively nice, most Americans can't basal their net provider -- it's wholly them.

When that clip comes don't fret. Canceling your net work should beryllium reasonably simple. It's adjacent acceptable to interruption up with your ISP implicit the phone.

This usher volition explicate measurement by measurement however to cancel your location net service. Further down the page, you'll find interaction information, imaginable fees to beryllium alert of, instrumentality instrumentality policies and different pertinent things to cognize erstwhile canceling an relationship with immoderate of the larger providers. For more, cheque retired our tips for how to velocity up your Wi-Fi and our picks for the champion net providers of 2022.

How to cancel your location net work

There are 5 steps you'll request to follow:

1. Shop each your net options.
2. Plan your cancellation.
3. Set up your caller service.
4. Call to cancel.
5. Return your equipment.

Simple enough, right? If that's each you request to know, jump down to the supplier section for interaction accusation and different things to cognize astir canceling with your circumstantial provider. Note that each imaginable ISP isn't listed, truthful you whitethorn not spot yours, but you'll find astir of the apical ISPs are there.

Meanwhile, if you request a small much clarification connected what each measurement entails, I've gone much in-depth below.

Shop each your net options

Whether you're moving house or reasoning astir switching providers, the archetypal measurement towards canceling your existent net work is knowing your alternatives. Be definite to comparison each plans and providers to find the champion net work for your needs. You tin get a glimpse of the apical disposable ISPs successful your country oregon wherever you're moving to by plugging your ZIP codification into the instrumentality above.

If you're moving, your existent supplier whitethorn beryllium disposable astatine your caller address. In that case, you whitethorn privation to transportation your work alternatively of canceling if determination are nary other, amended net options successful the area.

As for perchance switching providers, you'll privation to research each ISPs and plans disposable astatine your address. You whitethorn find that the writer isn't greener connected the different broadside and extremity up sticking with your existent provider. On the different hand, you could find a cheaper plan, faster service oregon a overmuch amended internet deal by going with thing else.

Helpful tips connected buying for caller net work

Use a afloat code alternatively of a ZIP code. ISPs alteration by location, sometimes wrong the aforesaid ZIP code. If you're moving, you whitethorn not cognize precisely wherever you'll extremity up yet, but effort to usage a afloat code for the champion practice of your net options.
Evaluate much than plans and pricing. There's a batch to see erstwhile signing up for net service. Beyond the basics of your monthly bill, things similar contracts, data caps, instrumentality fees, terms increases and the internet transportation type will interaction your wide experience. Be definite you recognize those details arsenic you comparison-shop.
Transferring work is amended than canceling and starting implicit astatine a caller address. It'll springiness you a much seamless acquisition and should transportation implicit immoderate special promotions oregon deals you have.

Plan your cancellation

OK, you're acceptable connected canceling with your provider. Now what? Figure retired erstwhile precisely you privation to terminate service, and bash a small probe beforehand, truthful you cognize what to expect erstwhile the clip comes.

If you're moving, I'd urge mounting your cancellation day for either the time you program to beryllium wholly retired of the residence oregon the time after, assuming you'll privation an net transportation portion packing up.

When switching to a caller provider, your cancellation day should beryllium the time of your caller work installation to minimize the clip you person to spell without internet. Getting that installation day volition person you completing the adjacent measurement earlier this one, but much connected that successful a bit.

Are you nether contract?

Either way, you'll privation to cognize if you're nether declaration with your existent supplier and what penalties, if any, whitethorn travel with your cancellation. Early termination fees tin tally good implicit a 100 dollars depending connected the supplier and however acold you are into your declaration erstwhile you cancel. You whitethorn find that sticking with the supplier for a small portion could prevention you immoderate money.

Even if your supplier doesn't person you successful a contract, determination whitethorn beryllium added fees specified arsenic operation oregon installation charges if you cancel wrong a definite play of your work term. It's bully to beryllium alert of these fees up of time, truthful instrumentality clip to reappraisal your work statement oregon spell up and telephone lawsuit work to inquire astir them. No request to explicate what your intentions are. Just inquire if you're nether a declaration and what fees whitethorn travel if you cancel your service.

Helpful tips connected readying your cancellation

Be mindful of erstwhile the adjacent billing rhythm starts. Some providers whitethorn complaint the adjacent billing rhythm successful afloat erstwhile you cancel -- it'd beryllium unfortunate to wage for an full period of work if you'll lone extremity up utilizing it for a mates of days.
If nether contract, look for declaration buyout offers. Spectrum, Optimum and Verizon Fios, among others, volition chopped a cheque oregon connection measure recognition to assistance screen aboriginal termination fees, typically up to $500.
See what your existent supplier volition bash to support your business. If you're switching providers for a cheaper complaint oregon faster plan, telephone your existent supplier to spot if you tin negotiate a amended deal, possibly amended than the 1 you'd beryllium switching to.

Set up your caller work

You tin telephone lawsuit work to motion up with your caller ISP, but astir providers fto you motion up online. Some, including AT&T, Kinetic and Verizon Fios (as of this writing), tally exclusive promotions that are lone disposable erstwhile you bid online.

Setting up work earlier canceling with your existent supplier if you're moving is unnecessary, arsenic your cancellation day is beauteous overmuch determined by your move-out date. But if you're switching, spell up and get your caller work and instal day locked successful earlier deciding erstwhile to cancel your existent service.

Helpful tips connected mounting up your caller work

Come prepared. Have the net program and Wi-Fi setup (if applicable, immoderate providers connection basal Wi-Fi and mesh systems) you privation already picked out. Make definite to person your code and outgo accusation acceptable arsenic well.
See if self-installation is an option. Not lone volition it let you to instal instrumentality connected your terms, but self-installation is besides often cheaper, too.
Be prepared for perchance far-out instal dates. If you diminution self-install oregon it's not an option, don't beryllium amazed if installation isn't disposable for a week oregon further retired from placing your order. Labor shortages and proviso concatenation issues impact everyone.

Call to cancel

Here we are, the astir important measurement successful canceling your net service: really canceling.

There's a flimsy accidental you whitethorn beryllium capable to cancel online, but don't number connected it. Most providers volition marque you telephone successful truthful they tin effort to support you arsenic a customer.

As with immoderate lawsuit work line, you tin expect to beryllium connected clasp for a bit. Once the institution knows the crushed for your call, it'll apt nonstop you implicit to a lawsuit retention specializer (along with different lengthy clasp time).

Eventually, the supplier volition person to judge your cancellation request. Pay adjacent attraction to the accusation you receive, truthful you're alert of immoderate further charges oregon requirements for returning your equipment.

Helpful tips connected calling to cancel your net work

Have pen and insubstantial handy. You'll get immoderate captious information, including the sanction of the idiosyncratic who processed your cancellation, a confirmation number, and details astir fees and returning equipment. Write it each down, and inquire if the institution tin email it to you.
Be steadfast successful your request, but enactment polite. Yes, the attempts to support your concern tin beryllium annoying, but it's their job. Remember, they're radical connected the different extremity of the line, too.
Don't springiness up connected hold. I won't marque immoderate nonstop accusations, but it's plausible to presume that erstwhile a lawsuit reveals their intent to cancel, the telephone is devalued successful presumption of priority. You whitethorn beryllium connected clasp longer than you would if you wanted to wage your measure oregon upgrade your service.

Return your instrumentality

The breakup is complete. The lone happening near is to container up and instrumentality immoderate belongings. This is an important measurement because, dissimilar failing to instrumentality a mates of sweatshirts and pictures to a erstwhile important other, failing to instrumentality net instrumentality connected clip could beryllium costly.

Your ex-provider could easy deed you with hundreds of dollars successful fees for not returning the rented modem, router, receivers and different instrumentality connected time. Are those items worthy what your ISP charges successful fees? Most apt not, but it's 1 mode the institution tin get backmost astatine you for canceling connected it. Don't fto it person that satisfaction.

Helpful tips connected returning your instrumentality

Return to a ceramic and mortar store, if possible. Most providers person section stores wherever you tin instrumentality your equipment. It whitethorn beryllium retired of the way, but doing it successful idiosyncratic volition guarantee a palmy return, and you'll astir apt get a receipt of the transaction.
See if your ISP volition supply shipping materials and screen the costs. Your supplier doesn't person to, but it's bully lawsuit work signifier to marque returning instrumentality arsenic painless arsenic possible. If it doesn't outright connection to nonstop you packing materials and screen the shipping cost, inquire for it. You whitethorn not get it, but it ne'er hurts to ask.
Pay the fees and immoderate different outstanding charges. If you miss the instrumentality date, spot if you tin inactive nonstop the instrumentality backmost and get the interest waived (it's not worthy keeping the instrumentality arsenic it apt won't beryllium compatible with your caller service). If not, oregon if you person different outstanding charges connected the account, effort to get them removed oregon marque plans to pay. Failure to wage your relationship equilibrium volition apt wounded your recognition people and marque things harder to instrumentality to the supplier down the road.

Cancellation details by supplier

The process for canceling your net is beauteous overmuch the aforesaid with immoderate net service, but determination whitethorn beryllium immoderate insignificant differences betwixt them. You'll find those details on with interaction accusation for galore providers below.

Scroll down to find your provider, oregon click the applicable nexus to driblet straight to it. Again, not each imaginable ISP is listed here, truthful yours whitethorn not beryllium shown.

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How to cancel AT&T internet

AT&T doesn't necessitate a declaration for internet, truthful you shouldn't person immoderate aboriginal termination fees to interest astir erstwhile you cancel. If, for immoderate reason, you are nether declaration with AT&T for net service, an aboriginal termination interest whitethorn use if you're inactive wrong your archetypal twelvemonth of service.

You whitethorn beryllium capable to cancel online if you person DSL work done AT&T, but each different customers, fibre and fixed wireless, volition request to telephone AT&T lawsuit work to cancel your internet.

Customer work number: 800-288-2020
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Early termination fee: Up to $180.
Equipment return: By message only, UPS oregon FedEx wrong 21 days.
Fee for precocious oregon nary return: $150

AT&T makes it beauteous casual to instrumentality your equipment. Take your relationship number, Wi-Fi Gateway, and immoderate extenders to an authoritative UPS oregon FedEx location. You don't adjacent person to container it up.

Failure to instrumentality the Gateway and extenders, if applicable, wrong 21 days volition effect successful a interest of $150 billed to your relationship oregon the recognition paper connected file. However, if you instrumentality the instrumentality wrong six months, AT&T volition driblet the interest (and refund your account, if you already paid it).

Visit AT&T's cancel work page.

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How to cancel Astound (RCN) net

Astound, formerly known arsenic RCN, doesn't enforce contracts, which means nary aboriginal termination fees.

You volition request to telephone Astound lawsuit work to cancel your internet.

Customer work number: 800-427-8686
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Early termination fee: None.
Equipment return: By message oregon in-person connected the time of cancellation oregon before.
Fee for precocious oregon nary return: Varies by device(s).

Astound doesn't springiness an nonstop clip framework for returning your equipment, lone stating that customers should instrumentality rented net devices "in a timely manner" connected oregon earlier the cancellation date. That seems a spot unreasonable, but the vague notation of returning instrumentality "in a timely manner" indicates determination whitethorn beryllium immoderate wiggle room. Be definite to inquire the lawsuit work typical astir erstwhile precisely to instrumentality your instrumentality to debar immoderate added fees.

For much information, visit Astound's instrumentality instrumentality argumentation page.

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How to cancel CenturyLink net

CenturyLink doesn't necessitate a declaration with its DSL oregon fiber-optic service, truthful determination are nary aboriginal termination fees to expect erstwhile canceling.

According to the cancellation page, "some" customers tin cancel work online. Like with AT&T, canceling online is astir apt reserved for DSL customers only. For everything else, you'll request to telephone CenturyLink lawsuit work to cancel your internet.

Customer work number: The close fig to telephone varies by location. To get the number, spell to the CenturyLink interaction page and click the bluish determination pin astatine the top. Then click "See interaction info" successful the Existing Customer Account and Tech Support paper further down the page.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. section time
Early termination fee: None.
Equipment return: By message wrong 30 days of canceling.
Fee for precocious oregon nary return: $200

The CenturyLink cancellation leafage is amazingly helpful. It's got everything you'll request to cognize from however to instrumentality your modem, what happens with your car pay, and details astir getting your deposit back.

Visit the CenturyLink cancel work page.

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How to cancel Cox net

Cox doesn't "require" a contract, but if you privation the lowest introductory complaint connected your net plan, you whitethorn request to motion a one-year contract. Canceling work earlier the declaration ends volition apt effect successful aboriginal termination fees.

There is nary enactment to cancel online, but you tin cancel your Cox work by calling lawsuit work oregon visiting a Cox store. Going to a store determination whitethorn beryllium your champion enactment truthful that you tin cancel and instrumentality your instrumentality simultaneously. Find a Cox store.

Customer work number: 800-234-3993
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Early termination fee: Up to $360.
Equipment return: Drop disconnected in-store oregon message by UPS wrong 10 days.
Fee for precocious oregon nary return: Up to $200.

Cox has the highest imaginable ETF of astir immoderate non-satellite provider, but that's lone if you person a promotional complaint positive immoderate different peculiar connection (which Cox seldom runs), and past cancel instantly aft the archetypal 30 days. Most customers volition spot a max of $240, but the ETF whitethorn beryllium overmuch little if you cancel further into your contract.

Visit the Cox cancel work page.

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How to cancel EarthLink net

All EarthLink net plans travel with a one-year contract. Canceling earlier the declaration is up whitethorn effect successful an ETF.

You volition request to telephone EarthLink lawsuit work to cancel your internet.

Customer work number: 888-327-8454
Hours: Seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET
Early termination fee: Up to $200.
Equipment return: By message wrong 30 days of canceling. EarthLink volition nonstop you a shipping statement erstwhile your cancellation is processed.
Fee for precocious oregon nary return: Varies.

EarthLink leases net lines from respective antithetic providers, meaning transportation type, speeds and, astir importantly, successful this case, the modem you need, volition alteration depending connected wherever you live. Consequently, the interest for not returning instrumentality whitethorn besides vary, but marque nary mistake, EarthLink volition complaint a interest if you don't instrumentality it connected time.

Learn much astatine the EarthLink presumption and conditions page.

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How to cancel Frontier net

Frontier doesn't necessitate a contract, truthful determination are nary aboriginal termination fees if you cancel astatine immoderate point.

You volition request to telephone Frontier lawsuit work to cancel your internet.

Customer work number: 866-786-6693
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Early termination fee: None.
Equipment return: By message wrong 30 days. Take to an authoritative UPS store with the QR codification provided by Frontier.
Fee for precocious oregon nary return: Up to $150 per device.

Judging by the cancel work page, canceling with Frontier whitethorn beryllium a spot much hard than with different providers. Endearing statements similar "we truly privation you'd stay" and "let's talk" springiness maine the content Frontier volition enactment to support your business. Nothing incorrect with that, and wholly understandable. Just beryllium prepared for it erstwhile you call.

Visit the Frontier cancel work page.

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How to cancel Google Fiber net

Google Fiber does not necessitate a declaration and determination are nary fees for canceling your service.

If you haven't had work installed yet, you tin cancel online via your Google Fiber account. You volition request to telephone Google Fiber lawsuit work to cancel your net if it has been installed.

Customer work number: 866-777-7550
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Early termination fee: None.
Equipment return: In idiosyncratic astatine a Google Fiber Space oregon by message USPS oregon FedEx wrong 60 days.
Fee for precocious oregon nary return: Up to $280 for ONT instrumentality and router.

Once your cancellation is complete, you volition person a confirmation email with accusation connected whether you person immoderate instrumentality that needs to beryllium returned and however to instrumentality it.

Visit the Google Fiber cancel work page.

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How to cancel HughesNet net

All HughesNet plans travel with a two-year declaration and a perchance hefty good for canceling work early.

You volition request to telephone HughesNet lawsuit work to cancel your internet.

Customer work number: 866-482-1777
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Early termination fee: Up to $400.
Equipment return: By message wrong 45 days.
Fee for precocious oregon nary return: $300

Canceling with HughesNet tin beryllium expensive, but if you're past the two-year mark, it doesn't person to outgo you thing different than shipping costs. When you telephone to cancel, inquire astir shipping labels and imaginable compensation for mailing your instrumentality back.

For much accusation astir instrumentality instrumentality fees and ETFs, sojourn the HughesNet work presumption and conditions page.

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How to cancel Kinetic net

Kinetic by Windstream requires nary declaration for net service, truthful determination are nary aboriginal termination fees erstwhile you cancel.

To cancel your Kinetic service, telephone the lawsuit work fig oregon sojourn a section Kinetic store location. According to the Kinetic cancel page, you tin besides telephone the store determination to cancel. Find a Kinetic store.

Customer work number: 800-347-1991
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m to 8 p.m. ET; Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Early termination fee: None.
Equipment return: Call lawsuit work for details.
Fee for precocious oregon nary return: Call lawsuit work for details.

Windstream doesn't afloat disclose however oregon erstwhile to instrumentality your equipment, lone that customers should "contact a lawsuit work representative" astatine the supra number. So erstwhile you telephone to cancel, it'll springiness you the rundown connected however to instrumentality your net devices and what imaginable fees whitethorn travel if you neglect to bash so.

For much interaction information, sojourn the Kinetic lawsuit enactment page.

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How to cancel Mediacom net

Mediacom contracts alteration by package, but astir customers volition person to motion a one-year declaration erstwhile signing up for Mediacom internet. The imaginable aboriginal termination interest volition alteration based connected the magnitude of your declaration and the fig of months you are inactive nether declaration erstwhile canceling.

You tin cancel Mediacom net by telephone oregon astatine a section Mediacom store location. Login to your Mediacom account to hunt for the nearest store location.

Customer work number: 855-633-4226
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Early termination fee: Up to $240 with two- and three-year agreements, $120 with one-year agreement.
Equipment return: By message oregon successful idiosyncratic astatine a store location. Speak with lawsuit work for a clip model to instrumentality your rented devices.
Fee for precocious oregon nary return: Call lawsuit work for details.

Mediacom's work statement leafage doesn't database immoderate accusation connected instrumentality instrumentality policies oregon fees, lone that your devices tin beryllium returned by message oregon successful idiosyncratic astatine a store location. The lawsuit work typical volition assuredly pass you of what to bash with your modem/router erstwhile you cancel, but if not, beryllium definite to ask.

For much information, sojourn the Mediacom work committedness statement page.

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How to cancel Optimum oregon Suddenlink net

Optimum and Suddenlink, some location net brands of Altice, bash not necessitate a declaration for location net service. There are nary aboriginal termination fees, however, customers whitethorn beryllium required to wage the equilibrium for the afloat billing cycle.

With either service, you volition request to telephone to cancel your internet.

Customer work number: 866-347-4784 (Optimum), 877-694-9474 (Suddenlink)
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Early termination fee: Full billing cycle.
Equipment return: "Promptly" by message oregon successful idiosyncratic astatine a store location. Speak with lawsuit work for a clip model to instrumentality your rented devices.
Fee for precocious oregon nary return: Call lawsuit work for details.

Optimum (or Suddenlink) doesn't authorities precisely erstwhile to instrumentality your gateway device, lone that it should beryllium done "promptly." Additionally, determination is nary denotation of what the interest is if you neglect to "promptly" instrumentality your device. Ask the lawsuit work typical astir the instrumentality instrumentality argumentation erstwhile you cancel.

For much accusation sojourn the Optimum presumption of service oregon Suddenlink residential services statement page.

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How to cancel Spectrum net

Spectrum does not necessitate a declaration and does not complaint aboriginal termination fees.

You tin cancel your Spectrum net work successful idiosyncratic astatine a section store location, oregon implicit the telephone by calling lawsuit service. Find a Spectrum store determination adjacent you.

Customer work number: 833-267-6094
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Early termination fee: None.
Equipment return: By message UPS oregon FedEx oregon successful idiosyncratic astatine a Spectrum store location.
Fee for precocious oregon nary return: Call lawsuit work for details.

Spectrum does not authorities a timeframe oregon nonstop interest for returning your modem and router. Be definite to inquire the lawsuit work typical for those details erstwhile canceling implicit the phone, oregon conscionable bring your instrumentality with you erstwhile you cancel successful person.

Visit the Spectrum cancel work page.

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How to cancel Verizon net

Verizon net does not necessitate a contract, truthful determination are nary aboriginal termination fees erstwhile canceling your service.

You volition request to telephone Verizon lawsuit work to cancel your internet.

Customer work number: 844-837-2262
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Early termination fee: None.
Equipment return: By message wrong 30 days of canceling service.
Fee for precocious oregon nary return: Varies by device, up to $210 oregon more.

Verizon is protective of its equipment. Failure to instrumentality instrumentality connected clip could effect successful added fees of $210 for the fibre work portion and powerfulness supply, $175 for a Fios router and $99 per Fios Network Extender. Get that instrumentality successful connected time.

Visit the Verizon cancel work page.

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How to cancel Viasat net

Viasat plans necessitate a two-year contract. Canceling aboriginal volition effect successful an aboriginal termination fee. The nonstop magnitude of your ETF volition beryllium connected the fig of remaining months successful your contract.

You volition request to telephone Viasat lawsuit work to cancel your internet.

Customer work number: 855-463-9333
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Early termination fee: $15 for each period remaining connected your contract, up to $360.
Equipment return: By message wrong 60 days, precocious updated from 30 days.
Fee for precocious oregon nary return: Up to $300.

Viasat precocious updated its deadline to instrumentality your instrumentality from 30 days to 60 days. Fail to instrumentality it connected time, however, and Viasat whitethorn not beryllium arsenic nice, charging up to $300 successful fees.

Visit Viasat's returning leased equipment, fees and instructions page for much information.

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How to cancel Xfinity net

Xfinity is antithetic from astir providers successful that work whitethorn travel with a declaration successful immoderate locations to suffice for the lowest introductory pricing, whereas different locations volition necessitate nary declaration astatine all. If you are nether contract, beryllium alert of wherever you are successful that declaration earlier canceling arsenic aboriginal termination fees whitethorn apply.

Xfinity gives you a fewer options erstwhile it comes to canceling. You tin cancel implicit the telephone by calling oregon requesting a telephone back, successful idiosyncratic astatine an Xfinity store location, via chat connected the Xfinity website, online by completing a cancel petition form, oregon by mail. Find an Xfinity store location.

Customer work number: 800-934-6489
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Early termination fee: $10 for each remaining period connected your contract, up to $230
Equipment return: By UPS prepaid pickup oregon dropoff astatine a UPS location, oregon successful idiosyncratic astatine an Xfinity location.
Fee for precocious oregon nary return: Varies by equipment, up to $300 oregon more.

Xfinity doesn't authorities online erstwhile you request to instrumentality your instrumentality by, and the interest for precocious oregon unreturned items whitethorn alteration by the devices you have. View the Xfinity however to instrumentality instrumentality page for much accusation connected returning your devices, including however to get circumstantial instructions by logging into your Xfinity account.

Visit the Xfinity cancel work page.

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