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
- 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. If the representative offers alternatives, decline if you are ready to cancel 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.
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).
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 |
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 | Say “I need to cancel today” and keep the call focused on processing the cancellation. |
| High ETF | Compare the ETF with the cost of keeping service through the contract end. |
| Equipment disputes | Use tracking with signature confirmation. Document everything |
| $15 shipping charge feels wrong | Ask DISH to confirm the number of return boxes and the total return-shipping charge before you ship. |
| 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 |
Final Checklist
- Call 866-974-0769 to cancel
- Confirm contract status, ETF amount, final bill, and prorated refund handling
- Ask for a confirmation number and return-box timing
- Return required receivers, remotes, power cords, and access cards within 30 days
- Keep tracking, equipment photos, confirmation, and final bill
- Watch for the $15 per-box shipping charge and any unreturned-equipment fees
- Follow up if return boxes or confirmation do not arrive within 48 hours