Blizzard will delete your Battle.net account, but the process takes time and you lose access to all games and purchases immediately

When you request deletion, Blizzard removes your account from their system permanently. You cannot undo this. All games tied to that account—World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, Hearthstone, StarCraft—become unplayable. Any in-game currency, cosmetics, progress, and purchases are gone. Blizzard does not offer refunds for digital content after deletion.

The deletion itself takes 30 days. During this window, Blizzard holds your account in a pending-deletion state. You can cancel the request during those 30 days if you change your mind. After 30 days pass, the account is permanently removed and cannot be recovered.

You start the deletion process through your Battle.net account settings, not through a support ticket or email. The option is built into the account management portal.

Key Takeaways

  • Deletion is permanent after 30 days and cannot be reversed, so make sure you want to proceed before you start the request.
  • You lose access to all games, in-game purchases, cosmetics, and progress the moment you request deletion—not after 30 days.
  • The 30-day waiting period gives you time to cancel if you change your mind, but Blizzard will not restore anything after that window closes.
  • You must have access to the email address associated with your account to confirm the deletion request.

Steps to request account deletion

Log into your Battle.net account at account.battle.net. Go to Account Settings in the top right, then select Account from the left menu. Scroll down until you see the Delete Account section near the bottom of the page.

Click the Delete Account button. Blizzard will ask you to confirm your password and enter a code sent to your registered email address. Check your inbox (and spam folder) for the email from Blizzard. The code is valid for 24 hours.

Enter the code, then review the final confirmation screen. Blizzard lists what you are about to lose: all games, characters, cosmetics, and purchases. If you proceed, click Delete Account again. Your account is now in pending-deletion status.

What happens during the 30-day waiting period

Your account is locked immediately. You cannot log in, play games, or access any services. Blizzard sends a confirmation email to your registered address stating that deletion is scheduled.

If you want to cancel deletion during these 30 days, log back into your account using your original password. Go to Account Settings > Account and select Cancel Deletion. Your account will be restored and playable within a few hours. You can only cancel once; if you request deletion again later, you must wait another 30 days.

After 30 days pass, Blizzard removes the account from their servers. At that point, cancellation is no longer possible.

What you cannot recover after deletion

All World of Warcraft characters and progress are deleted. Diablo items, seasonal progress, and paragon levels are gone. Overwatch cosmetics, competitive rank, and loot boxes cannot be restored. Hearthstone cards, decks, and collection are removed. Any balance in Battle.net Balance (store credit) is forfeited.

Blizzard does not issue refunds for digital purchases made on that account. If you bought a game, expansion, cosmetic, or battle pass, that money is not returned. This applies even if you delete the account days after purchase.

If you own a World of Warcraft guild, deletion removes your guild master status. The guild itself may be deleted if you are the only member, or leadership may pass to another officer depending on guild settings.

If you cannot access your registered email

You need the email address tied to your account to confirm deletion. If you no longer have access to that email, you must update it first. Go to Account Settings > Account and look for Email Address. Click Edit and enter a new email you control. Blizzard sends a confirmation link to both the old and new addresses; you must click the link in the new email to complete the change.

Once your email is updated, follow the deletion steps above. If you cannot access the old email and do not remember your password, contact Blizzard Support through their website. They can verify your identity using security questions or other account details and help you regain access.

Alternatives to full deletion

If you want to step away from gaming but might return later, account deactivation is an option. A deactivated account is hidden from public view and cannot be logged into, but it is not permanently deleted. You can reactivate it at any time by logging in with your password. Your characters, purchases, and progress remain intact.

To deactivate, go to Account Settings > Account and select Deactivate Account. This takes effect immediately and does not require a waiting period. Reactivation is instant once you log back in.

If you want to stop playing specific games but keep your account, you can simply uninstall the games and stop logging in. Your account remains active and you can return to any game whenever you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my account if I have an active World of Warcraft subscription?

Yes. Deletion proceeds regardless of active subscriptions. You will not receive a refund for unused subscription time. Cancel your subscription first if you want to avoid being charged again, though this is not required to delete the account.

What if I share my Battle.net account with family members?

Deletion removes the account entirely, so everyone who uses it loses access. If multiple people play on the same account, each person should create their own Battle.net account with their own email address before you delete the shared one. Blizzard does not transfer characters or purchases between accounts.

Will deleting my account remove me from my guild or friend list?

Yes. Your character is removed from the guild roster, and you disappear from all friend lists. If you are the guild master and the only officer, the guild may be deleted automatically. Other guild members cannot restore you or your characters.

Can I delete my account and create a new one with the same email address?

Not immediately. After your account is fully deleted (after 30 days), you can create a new Battle.net account using that same email address. The new account starts fresh with no characters, purchases, or progress from the old one.

What if I change my mind after the 30 days are up?

Once 30 days have passed, your account is permanently deleted and cannot be restored. Blizzard does not make exceptions. If you want to play again, you must create a new account with a new email address or a different email you own.