Stop a recurring payment in three steps
To turn off auto payment on PayPal, go to your account settings, find the subscription or recurring payment you want to stop, and click the cancel button next to it. The payment stops immediately — you won't be charged again after you cancel. PayPal sends you a confirmation email, and the merchant may also send you a notice that the subscription has ended.
The exact location of the cancel button depends on whether you're using PayPal on a computer or phone, and whether you're canceling a subscription (like Netflix or a gym membership) or a pre-authorized payment (like a utility bill). Both routes are straightforward, but the steps differ slightly.
Key Takeaways
- Canceling an auto payment on PayPal takes about two minutes and stops future charges immediately.
- You can cancel from your account settings on a computer or from the PayPal app on your phone.
- PayPal sends you a confirmation email when you cancel, which you should keep as proof.
- If you cancel a subscription but the merchant charges you anyway, you can dispute the charge as unauthorized.
- Some merchants require you to cancel directly with them instead of through PayPal, so check your confirmation email if the cancel button doesn't appear.
Cancel on a computer or laptop
Log into your PayPal account at paypal.com. Click the gear icon in the top right corner to open settings, then select Payments from the menu on the left side.
Look for the section labeled Manage automatic payments or Subscriptions and payments. You'll see a list of all active recurring charges linked to your account. Find the payment you want to stop and click on it to open the details.
Click the Cancel button at the bottom of the payment details page. PayPal will ask you to confirm the cancellation — click Cancel subscription or Cancel automatic payment again. You'll see a message saying the payment has been canceled, and PayPal will send you a confirmation email within a few minutes.
Cancel on the PayPal mobile app
Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Tap Settings, then scroll down and tap Payments.
Tap Manage automatic payments or Subscriptions and payments. Scroll through the list to find the recurring charge you want to stop. Tap on it to see the full details.
Tap Cancel at the bottom of the screen. Confirm the cancellation when PayPal asks. You'll get a confirmation message on your screen and an email confirmation shortly after.
What happens after you cancel
Once you cancel, PayPal stops processing future payments to that merchant. The cancellation is effective immediately — you won't be charged on your next billing date. The merchant receives a notification that you've canceled the subscription, though the timing varies by merchant.
Keep the confirmation email PayPal sends you. If the merchant charges you after you've canceled, you can use that email as proof that you canceled the payment. You can then dispute the charge as unauthorized through PayPal's Resolution Center.
When the cancel button doesn't appear
Some merchants require you to cancel directly with them instead of through PayPal. If you don't see a cancel button in your PayPal account, check the confirmation email from the merchant — it usually includes a link to manage or cancel the subscription on their website.
Contact the merchant's customer service if you can't find a way to cancel on their site. Give them your PayPal email address and ask them to cancel the recurring payment. They may ask you to confirm your identity or provide your account number with them.
If a merchant refuses to cancel and keeps charging you, you can dispute each unauthorized charge through PayPal. Open the transaction in your PayPal activity, click Report a problem, and select Unauthorized transaction. PayPal will investigate and may refund the charge.
Canceling a payment you set up yourself
If you created a recurring payment to send money to someone (like a regular transfer to a family member), the cancellation process is the same. Go to your automatic payments list, find the payment you created, and click cancel. The recipient won't receive any more payments after you cancel.
The recipient will see that the recurring payment has stopped, but PayPal doesn't notify them automatically. If you want to let them know, you'll need to contact them separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will canceling an auto payment hurt my credit score?
No. Canceling a subscription or recurring payment has no effect on your credit. Your credit score is based on borrowed money (credit cards, loans, mortgages), not on subscriptions or recurring payments you make to merchants.
What if I canceled but got charged anyway?
Contact PayPal's Resolution Center and report the charge as unauthorized. Include your cancellation confirmation email as proof. PayPal will investigate and typically refund unauthorized charges within 10 business days. You can also contact the merchant directly and ask them to reverse the charge.
Can I pause a payment instead of canceling it?
PayPal doesn't have a built-in pause feature for recurring payments. Your options are to cancel the payment or contact the merchant and ask if they can temporarily suspend your subscription. Many merchants allow you to pause for a set period (like 30 days) before resuming.
Do I need to cancel before my next billing date?
No. You can cancel at any time, and the cancellation takes effect immediately. If your next billing date is tomorrow, you can cancel today and you won't be charged. If you've already been charged for the current period, that charge won't be reversed — you've paid for that billing cycle.
How do I know if the cancellation worked?
Check your email for PayPal's confirmation message. Log back into your PayPal account and go to your automatic payments list — the canceled payment should no longer appear. When your next billing date passes without a charge, you'll know the cancellation was successful.