You know it is time to make a change when your usual home internet routine suddenly feels like something you no longer need. If you have reached that point and want to cancel Verizon Fios, the process is fairly simple once you know which option to use. Let’s dive in to know, how to cancel Verizon Fios.
To cancel Verizon Fios, you will need to contact Verizon directly, either by phone or via live chat linked to your My Verizon account. There is no fully self-service cancel button you can click and walk away from. Before getting into the exact steps, here is what you need to know first.
Things to Know Before Cancellation
There are some billing and equipment factors that determine how your cancellation will go, so knowing them beforehand is useful. Find out these things prior to canceling Verizon Fios:
- Early termination fees can apply. If you are still under contract, disconnecting early may trigger a fee of up to $350, which decreases by $15 for every month already completed.
- Auto Pay and Paper-Free Billing stay active. Both remain enrolled through your final payment, so do not expect them to switch off automatically the moment you cancel.
- Credit balances take time. If you are owed money after disconnecting, allow up to 60 days for Verizon to process and return it.
- Equipment rented from Verizon needs to be returned. If you don’t have any equipment like routers and set-top boxes, then that equipment is rented. All the equipment on rent needs to be returned within 30 days after disconnection. Otherwise, you have to pay a fee for unreturned equipment.
- Moving is not the same as canceling. If you are relocating, check whether Fios is available at the new address first, since transferring service may be simpler than starting over.
With that groundwork covered, here is exactly how to contact Verizon and submit the cancellation.
How to Cancel Verizon Fios?
There are a couple of ways to cancel your Verizon Fios. You can cancel it over the phone or through the Verizon Website’s live chat option. Here is how these methods work:
How to Cancel Verizon Fios via Phone?
A call is still the most straightforward way to do things, particularly if you prefer to discuss your final bill and equipment return in a single conversation. This is what you need to do; however, Step 01 is a must; everything else is optional:
Step 01: Call 1-800-VERIZON (800-837-4966).
Step 02: Contact them during support hours. You can call Monday to Friday between 8 AM and 7 PM Eastern Time. On Saturdays, they are available between 8 AM and 5 PM Eastern Time.
Step 03: Have your account information ready before the call connects.
Step 04: Tell the representative that you wish to terminate your Fios services. And request information on any possible early termination fees.
Step 05: Confirm the equipment return process and request a confirmation number for your records.
How to Cancel Verizon Fios via My Verizon Website (Live Chat)?
If you would rather handle this online, Verizon routes web-based cancellations through a live chat rather than a single click, so a representative still confirms the request directly.
Step 01: Sign in to your My Verizon account and go to the Settings & Profile page.
Step 02: Select the Disconnect link on the right side of the page.
Step 03: Select Start chat.
Step 04: Type “disconnect” in the chat window.
Step 05: Choose Disconnect Fios home service from the options shown.
Step 06: Select Chat with a representative to complete the request.
Why Cancellation Can Be Challenging?
The lack of a true one-click cancellation option is the biggest friction point. Since both available paths involve a phone call or live chat, there is no way to disconnect service without speaking to Verizon directly.
The early termination fee is yet another factor that causes people on contracts to hesitate. The prorated schedule does make this a little easier, as the cost goes down each month, but there may be surprises due to the assumption that cancellation is always free.
Equipment returns round out the common snags. A 30-day return window is generous. But it is easy to lose track of once the service itself is already disconnected and the router is unplugged and/or forgotten in a closet.
Alternative Options
Canceling outright is not the only option if your situation might change again soon.
- Suspend instead of cancel. If you are going out of town for 30 days to 9 months, Verizon’s vacation service option pauses billing without ending your account.
- Move your service instead. Relocating does not necessarily translate into a clean break. It would be advisable to check availability at the new place before canceling the current subscription and signing up for a new one.
- Explore other plan changes first. Logging into My Verizon allows one to view downgrade or plan adjustment opportunities, which could address the cost issue without having to completely disconnect.
What to Expect After Cancellation?
When the disconnection process is complete, the final bill will show any outstanding charges, including an early termination fee based on the remaining term of your contract. Auto Pay and Paperless Billing continue working until the final payment, rather than being shut off instantly.
Your account access does not vanish immediately either. You will still be able to log in to My Verizon after this to find out about your disconnection, your last bill, and any refunds you might receive.
Equipment return status is also visible through your account, so it is worth checking back to confirm Verizon has logged your returned router or set-top box before the 30-day window closes.
Conclusion
That covers what it takes to cancel Verizon Fios, whether you would rather call or handle it through a live chat tied to your My Verizon account. Neither path is instant. But both get a representative directly involved in approving your request.
The important aspects will only come into play once you have hung up or ended the chat, and you have returned the equipment on time, looked out for the final bill, and monitored the progress of any credit refund coming your way.
FAQs
1- Can I cancel Verizon Fios without contacting Verizon directly?
No, there is currently no self-service cancel button. Every disconnection request is handled via a phone call or a live chat session linked to your My Verizon account.
2- What happens to my Fios email address after I cancel?
Verizon usually retains access to the Verizon.net email account even after disconnection, though it is best to confirm this with a representative when canceling.
3- Will I be charged for the full month if I cancel partway through my billing cycle?
Your final bill reflects your service through the disconnection date along with any other applicable charges, so it is worth asking the representative directly how your specific cycle will be prorated.
4- Can I switch to a different Verizon service instead of fully canceling?
Yes, My Verizon lets you explore other plans or service tiers, which may be worth reviewing before committing to a full disconnection.
5- What if I miss the 30-day equipment return window?
An unreturned equipment charge typically applies once that window closes, so contacting Verizon promptly if you are running behind is worth doing before the deadline passes.
