How to Cancel DirecTV

Quick Summary

Call 800-531-5000 to cancel - hours are 8 AM to midnight ET, 7 days a week
Early termination fee: $20 per remaining month on a 24-month contract (max $480)
Return equipment within 21 days using the prepaid kit they send you
Unreturned fees: $45 per receiver, $135 per DVR
Phone is the only way. No online, no email, no in-person

How to Cancel

Call 800-531-5000 and say “disconnect DIRECTV.” Only the account holder can request cancellation, so make sure you’re the one calling.

You’ll get transferred to retention. They’ll throw offers at you - potentially up to 50% off for 12+ months. If you’ve decided, say so and move on. If the automated system loops on you, press 0# repeatedly and say “Customer Service” to get a human.

Before you hang up, get a confirmation number and ask for email confirmation. Confirm your final bill amount and equipment return deadline.

Tip: Have your account number, passcode, and contract end date ready. Calculate your ETF before calling (remaining months x $20) so you know exactly what you’re looking at. If the ETF is more than your remaining monthly bills, it might be cheaper to ride out the contract.

Other Methods

There aren’t any. DirecTV doesn’t accept cancellations online, by email, by mail, or in person for residential satellite service.

What It Costs

Early Termination Fee

24-month contracts carry a $20 per remaining month penalty. New contract, worst case: $480.

Do the math before you call. If you have 4 months left, that’s $80 in ETF versus 4 months of your bill. Sometimes riding it out is the better deal.

ETF waivers: Military deployment (with documentation), death of account holder (with certificate). Moving doesn’t typically qualify since DirecTV has nationwide satellite coverage.

Important: DirecTV’s ETF can hit $480 on a fresh 24-month contract. Before you cancel, compare the ETF to your remaining monthly bills. If you have 6 months left at $80/month, that’s $480 in bills versus $120 in ETF. The math matters.

Billing

No prorating. You pay through the end of your billing cycle.

Equipment Return

What You Return

Receiver boxes (newer models)
DVR units (Genie and HR series)
Genie Mini client boxes
Power cords and access cards

What You Keep

Satellite dish and LNB
Coaxial and HDMI cables
Remote controls
Older receivers (H20, H21, HR20-HR23)

How to Return It

FedEx Office - take equipment unboxed to any location. Staff package and ship for free. You get a receipt. Best option.

UPS Store - same deal. Bring it unboxed, get a receipt with tracking.

Prepaid labels - if DirecTV sends you labels, package securely and ship.

Deadline

21 days from cancellation. Check your confirmation email for your specific deadline.

Unreturned Equipment Fees

Equipment	Fee
Standard Receiver	$45
DVR	$135

Important: Use FedEx Office or UPS Store and get a receipt with tracking. Equipment charge disputes are common. Photograph everything with serial numbers visible before you hand it over.

After You Cancel

Final bill includes service charges through your billing cycle end, ETF if applicable, equipment rental fees, and any outstanding balances.

Confirmation arrives by email within 24-48 hours with your cancellation date, equipment return deadline, and final billing info.

Reactivation is available, but you won’t get new-customer promos if you’ve been off DirecTV for less than 12 months.

Common Problems

Problem	Solution
Automated system loops	Press 0# repeatedly, say “Customer Service” or “retention department”
Long hold times	Call Sunday morning or mid-week afternoons
Lengthy retention pitches	“I’ve made my decision. Please process the disconnection.”
Equipment charges after return	Call with your FedEx/UPS receipt. Fees reverse once the warehouse scans it
Unexpected ETF	Check contract status under “My Account” online. ETFs only apply with active commitments
Dish still on your roof	DirecTV doesn’t remove dishes. That’s on you or your landlord