How to Cancel CenturyLink

Quick Summary

Call 800-244-1111 to cancel - billing hours are Monday-Friday 8 AM-6 PM CT only
Early termination fee: $200 (2-year contract) or $300 (3-year) - flat rate, not prorated
Return equipment within 30 days using the prepaid UPS label they provide
Your CenturyLink email address dies when your service ends
Month-to-month plans have no ETF

How to Cancel

Phone (Recommended)

Call 800-244-1111 during billing hours (Monday-Friday 8 AM-6 PM CT). Have your account number, billing info, service address, and phone number ready.

You’ll get the retention pitch. Decline and ask to proceed with cancellation. Get a confirmation number and ask for email confirmation.

Tip: Check whether you’re on a contract or month-to-month plan before calling. Month-to-month customers owe nothing extra. Contract customers owe the full flat-rate ETF regardless of when they cancel. If you’re just trying to save money, ask about plan downgrades or slower speed tiers first.

Online

Some accounts have a “Disconnect Service” button in the My CenturyLink dashboard. Not available for all account types. Check your account settings - if it’s there, it’s faster than calling.

Other Methods

Email, mail, and in-person cancellations are not accepted.

What It Costs

Early Termination Fee

CenturyLink ETFs are flat-rate, not prorated. This is worse than most providers.

Contract Length	ETF
2-year	$200
3-year	$300
Month-to-month	$0

You pay the same $200 or $300 whether you’re 1 month into the contract or 23 months in. There’s no monthly reduction.

Important: CenturyLink’s ETFs are flat-rate. You pay $200 or $300 regardless of how much contract time you’ve served. That’s unusually punitive. Check your contract status before calling - if you’re close to the end, it may be worth waiting it out.

Billing

No prorating on the final month.

Equipment Return

What You Return

Modems and gateways
Wireless accessories
Power cords

How to Return It

CenturyLink provides a prepaid UPS return label after cancellation. Package the equipment, slap the label on, and drop it at any UPS location.

Deadline

30 days from cancellation.

Unreturned Equipment Fees

Up to $200 for unreturned modems and routers.

Important: Keep the UPS tracking receipt as proof of return until your final bill confirms no equipment charges. Equipment disputes are common across all providers. Don’t give them a reason.

After You Cancel

Final bill - expect multiple final bills as charges process through CenturyLink’s system.

Deposit refunds are issued within 30-45 days if your account reaches zero balance, including accrued interest.

Email - your CenturyLink email address is terminated when service ends. No forwarding. If you use it for anything important, migrate before you cancel.

Common Problems

Problem	Solution
Limited billing hours	Monday-Friday 8 AM-6 PM CT only. Plan your call accordingly
Flat-rate ETF surprise	Check contract status beforehand. Month-to-month means no ETF
Multiple final bills	Normal for CenturyLink. Review each one carefully
Email access lost	Migrate to a personal email before canceling. There’s no recovery after disconnection
Equipment charges after return	Call with your UPS tracking receipt. Escalate to supervisor if needed
Deposit refund delayed	Allow 30-45 days. Call if it doesn’t arrive