How to Cancel Your DISH Network Service

Quick Summary

Call 866-974-0769 to cancel - hours are 8 AM to midnight ET, daily
Early termination fee: $20 per remaining month on a 2-year contract (max $480)
Return equipment within 30 days using the prepaid box DISH sends you
DISH charges $15 per return shipping box - yes, they charge you to return their stuff
DISH does prorate refunds for prepaid unused service, which is rare in this industry

How to Cancel

Call 866-974-0769. Have your account number ready. You’ll get the retention pitch - politely decline and ask them to process the cancellation.

Before you hang up, confirm your final bill amount, the equipment return process, and get a confirmation number.

Tip: Before calling, calculate your ETF (remaining months x $20) and compare it to your remaining monthly bills. If the ETF costs more than just paying out the contract, ride it out. If you’re not fully committed to canceling, ask about pausing service first - DISH offers pauses up to 6 months at $5/month.

Other Methods

Email - you can send a cancellation request with your account number, name, contact info, and requested date. Slow but creates a paper trail.

Mail - send a written notice to DISH’s customer service center in Littleton, Colorado.

Neither is as fast as calling, but both are options if you want everything in writing.

What It Costs

Early Termination Fee

2-year contracts carry a $20 per remaining month penalty. Fresh contract, worst case: $480.

Months Remaining	ETF
24 (brand new)	$480
12	$240
6	$120
3	$60

ETF waivers: Military deployment (with documentation), death of account holder (with certificate).

Important: DISH’s ETF can reach $480 on a new contract. Do the math: if you have 8 months left at $100/month, that’s $800 in bills versus $160 in ETF. Cancel. If you have 3 months left at $100/month, that’s $300 versus $60. Still cancel, but the gap is smaller.

Billing

DISH typically provides prorated refunds for prepaid unused service. Check your final bill carefully and contact support if expected credits are missing.

Equipment Return

What You Return

Hopper and Joey receivers
DVR units
Remote controls
Power cords and access cards

How to Return It

DISH sends you prepaid shipping labels and boxes after cancellation. The catch: they charge $15 per return box.

Pack carefully, ship within 30 days, and keep your tracking number.

Deadline

30 days from cancellation.

Unreturned Equipment Fees

Equipment	Fee
Wireless Joey	$25
Standard Joey	$50
Hopper	$150-$200
Hopper 3	$349-$350

Important: DISH charges $15 per return box AND up to $350 per unreturned device. Photograph all equipment before shipping, use the prepaid labels, and keep your tracking receipt until the final bill confirms no charges.

After You Cancel

Final bill includes prorated charges, ETF if applicable, equipment return shipping costs, and any equipment return credits.

Confirmation arrives by email. If it doesn’t show up within 48 hours, call back.

Reactivation is available. Moving to a new address sometimes comes with free installation and equipment upgrades as a retention incentive.

Common Problems

Problem	Solution
Retention pressure	“I need to cancel today.” Polite, firm, done
High ETF	Do the math - is paying monthly until contract end actually cheaper?
Equipment disputes	Use tracking with signature confirmation. Document everything
$15 shipping charge feels wrong	It is. But it’s in the terms. Pay it and move on
Missing credits for prepaid service	Call and reference the prorated refund policy. DISH does prorate
Return boxes never arrived	Call back and request them again. Note the date and confirmation number