Cancel PC Game Pass Through Your Microsoft Account Settings

To stop your PC Game Pass subscription, sign into your Microsoft account on a web browser, go to your account settings, find the Game Pass subscription, and select the option to cancel. The cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle—you keep access until that date, then your subscription ends. You will not be charged again after cancellation.

The exact steps depend on whether you subscribed through the Microsoft Store or through Xbox Game Pass for PC directly. Both routes use the same Microsoft account system, but the cancellation page location differs slightly. Either way, you need access to the email address and password for the account that holds the subscription.

Key Takeaways

  • Sign into your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com, navigate to Subscriptions, and select Game Pass to cancel it.
  • Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, so you retain access until that date.
  • If you subscribed through Xbox Game Pass for PC, you can also cancel directly from the Xbox app on your computer.
  • Game Pass does not charge you again after cancellation, and you can resubscribe at any time without penalty.
  • If you cannot access your account, contact Microsoft Support through their website to verify your identity and cancel on your behalf.

Step-by-Step Cancellation Through Microsoft Account Online

Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with the email address and password for the account that holds your Game Pass subscription. Once logged in, look for the Subscriptions section in the left navigation menu—it may also appear under "Services & subscriptions" depending on your account layout.

Click on Game Pass for PC or Xbox Game Pass for PC (the name varies). You will see your current subscription status, the next billing date, and a button labeled Manage or Cancel subscription. Click that button. Microsoft will ask you to confirm the cancellation and may offer you a discount to stay subscribed—you can ignore this and proceed with cancellation. After you confirm, the page will show that your subscription is set to cancel at the end of your billing cycle.

Cancelling Through the Xbox App on Your PC

If you subscribed through the Xbox app itself, you can cancel directly from the app without opening a browser. Open the Xbox app on your computer, then select your profile icon in the top right corner. Choose Settings from the dropdown menu.

In Settings, find Account in the left sidebar, then select Subscriptions. You will see Game Pass listed with your current billing information. Click on it, then select Manage or Cancel subscription. Confirm the cancellation when prompted. The app will show that your subscription will end on your next billing date.

What Happens After You Cancel

Your Game Pass subscription remains active until the end of your current billing period. If your next charge date is December 15 and you cancel on December 1, you keep full access to all Game Pass games until December 15. After that date, you lose access to the Game Pass library—any games you installed remain on your computer, but you cannot launch them without an active subscription.

Your save files and achievements stay in your Microsoft account. If you resubscribe later, you can read those games again and pick up where you left off. Game Pass does not delete your progress or charge you a reactivation fee.

If You Cannot Access Your Account

If you forgot your password or cannot sign into the account that holds the subscription, go to account.microsoft.com/account/recover. Microsoft will walk you through identity verification—usually by sending a code to your recovery email or phone number. Once you regain access, follow the cancellation steps above.

If you no longer have access to the recovery email or phone number, contact Microsoft Support through their website at support.microsoft.com. Select "Account & billing" as your issue category, then "Subscriptions". A support agent can verify your identity through other means and cancel the subscription on your behalf. This process typically takes one to two business days.

Resubscribing After Cancellation

You can resubscribe to Game Pass at any time after cancellation. There is no waiting period, no penalty, and no loss of your account data. straightforward sign into your Microsoft account, go to the Game Pass page, and choose a subscription plan. Your first month may be discounted if you cancelled recently—Microsoft sometimes offers a promotional rate to returning subscribers, though this is not may provide.

If you want to pause your subscription instead of cancelling permanently, Game Pass does not offer a pause feature. Your only options are to keep the subscription active or cancel it. Some players cancel for a month or two when they are not playing, then resubscribe later.

Common Reasons Cancellation May Not Work

If you click the cancel button and nothing happens, your browser may have cached old data. Clear your browser cookies and cache, then try again. If the page still does not respond, try a different browser—sometimes Internet Explorer or an older version of Chrome causes issues with Microsoft account pages.

If you see a message saying you cannot cancel because of an outstanding balance or dispute, contact Microsoft Support. This usually means a recent charge failed or a refund is pending. Support can resolve the issue and then process your cancellation. Do not attempt to cancel your payment method directly—that can trigger overdraft fees and complicate the cancellation process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my games when ready after cancelling?

No. Your subscription remains active through the end of your current billing cycle. You keep access to all Game Pass games until that date. After the final day, you cannot launch Game Pass titles, but any games you own separately remain playable.

Can I get a refund for the unused portion of my subscription?

Microsoft does not refund unused subscription time. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your billing period, so you pay for the full month or year regardless of when you cancel. If you were charged twice or charged after cancelling, contact Microsoft Support to request a refund.

What if I cancel but still see a charge on my credit card?

If you cancelled before your billing date, the final charge will still appear on your statement for the current cycle. After that charge posts, no further charges should occur. If you see a charge after your subscription end date, contact your bank and Microsoft Support when ready—this indicates a billing error.

Do I need to uninstall Game Pass games before cancelling?

No. You can leave the games installed. After cancellation, they straightforward will not launch without an active subscription. You can uninstall them manually to free up storage space, or leave them and reinstall them if you resubscribe later.

Can someone else use my Game Pass if I cancel?

No. Game Pass is tied to your individual Microsoft account. Cancelling your subscription removes access for anyone using that account. If you share your computer with family members, they would need their own Game Pass subscription to play.