HostGator provides website hosting services, which means they help you get your website online and keep it running. They offer subscriptions for different hosting plans and addons, and they bill customers automatically based on the plan's renewal cycle, like monthly or yearly. You'll get email reminders before your payment is due, and they accept payments by credit/debit card or PayPal. If you're seeing a charge from HostGator, it's likely for a hosting subscription or domain renewal that you signed up for.
Difficulty
12345
678910
Easy
Medium
Very Hard
The cancellation process involves disabling auto-renewal through the customer portal or contacting support via phone or chat, which is straightforward. The main requirement is to act before the renewal date, which can be easily managed through the portal or support, making it not very difficult but requiring some attention to timing.
Estimated Time
On average, it takes
10 minutes
00
00
minutes to cancel a Spotify subscription.
How to Cancel HostGator: Step by Step
If you purchased through HostGator directly:
- Log in to your Customer Portal.
- Navigate to the Billing section.
- Click on Renewal Center from the left-side menu.
- Select the hosting plan you wish to cancel.
- Follow the prompts to disable the Auto-Renew feature or request a cancellation.
- If needed, contact HostGator Support via phone or chat for assistance with your cancellation.
If you purchased through PayPal:
- Log in to your PayPal account via a desktop browser or mobile app.
- For Desktop Browser:
- Click the Settings icon (cogwheel) in the top right-hand corner.
- Select Payments.
- Click on Manage automatic payments.
- Click on HostGator.com in the left-hand menu.
- Select Cancel on the right-hand side.
- Confirm cancellation by clicking Cancel Automatic Payments.
- Click Done to return to the payment screen.
- For Mobile Browser:
- Tap Menu in the top right-hand corner.
- Tap the Settings icon (cogwheel).
- Select Payments.
- Tap on Manage automatic payments.
- Click on HostGator.com and confirm cancellation.
- Click Done to return to the payment screen.
- For PayPal Mobile App:
- Open the PayPal app on your mobile device.
- Tap the Menu icon (cogwheel) in the top right-hand corner.
- Select Automatic Payments.
- Click on HostGator.com and confirm cancellation.
- Click Done to return to the payment screen.
Tips & Tricks for Canceling HostGator
- Pre-plan and make regular backups before cancelling to avoid data loss, as HostGator may delete unexported site content immediately upon cancellation.
- Remove payment methods first from your billing dashboard to prevent further auto-renewal charges.
- Set your domains to not auto-renew and lock them if you want to keep domains but cancel hosting services.
- Use the cancellation form on their site, but be prepared that it is hard to find and may redirect you to chat or phone support instead of completing cancellation directly.
- Chat support often disconnects immediately when you mention cancellation; be ready for long wait times on live chat and phone, sometimes hours long.
- Escalate by opening a support ticket to get written confirmation of your cancellation request; keep the ticket number for future reference.
- Be persistent and patient as cancellation is described as intentionally difficult and may take several attempts or weeks to fully stop charges.
- Complaining about poor service or ongoing issues in the cancellation feedback can sometimes help in negotiation for refunds.
- Cancel before the 30-day auto-renewal window to have the best chance of avoiding charges, as refunds after invoicing are unlikely.
- Know that domain renewal fees typically are not refundable; only hosting fees might be refundable if cancellation is timely.
- If stuck with charges, consider disputing through credit card companies as a last resort, after exhausting HostGator's support and escalation paths.
HostGator Customer Service Info
If you need assistance, here's how you can get in touch with HostGator's support team.
Cancel HostGator Script
Script
Copy
Dear HostGator Team,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to formally request the cancellation of my hosting subscription. Due to recent changes in my business needs, I have decided to transition to a different service that better fits my current requirements.
I would appreciate your assistance in processing this cancellation at your earliest convenience. If there are any final steps I need to complete or confirmation needed, please let me know.
Thank you for your understanding and support during my time with HostGator.
Best regards,
Frequently Asked Questions
HostGator's cancellation policy requires disabling the Auto-Renew feature via the Customer Portal before the renewal date to avoid automatic charges. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for hosting plans if canceled within the first 30 days, excluding domain fees and certain services. Refunds are issued to the original payment method, with deductions applied for any free domains canceled within a year, and it may take up to two weeks to process.
To cancel your HostGator subscription, you typically need to access the Customer Portal where you can disable the Auto-Renew feature. This means you will need your password to log in and manage the cancellation yourself. If you don't remember your password, you can reset it by going to https://portal.hostgator.com/login and clicking on the "Forgot Your Password" link. You also have the option to contact HostGator support via phone or chat for assistance, but having your password ready will streamline the process.
- Poor customer service leading to frustration and desire to leave.
- High pricing compared to alternatives.
- Difficulty or delays in cancellation process causing dissatisfaction.
- Retention efforts by support when trying to cancel.
- Billing issues such as illegal charges or charges after cancellation.
- Performance problems like website resource overuse warnings or service interruptions.
- Preference for cheaper or better-supported alternatives like Hostinger.
- Accidental purchases leading to requests for refunds and cancellations.
- Refund policy limitations causing dissatisfaction if eligibility criteria are not met.
- Account access or control issues during or after cancellation.
HostGator allows cancellation of hosting services at any time, but beware that refunds are only given if you cancel within the first 30 days after purchase (the money-back guarantee). If you cancel after 30 days, you will not receive a refund, and if your plan included a free domain, canceling within the first year triggers a standard $22.99 fee for that domain. Also, no refunds apply to domain registrations, renewals, administrative fees, or add-on services, and your data will be permanently deleted upon cancellation. Make sure to back up your content before cancelling, as cancellation is immediate and automatic renewal billing continues until you explicitly cancel.
Before cancelling your HostGator subscription, it is important to disable the Auto-Renew feature at least 15 days prior to your hosting plan's renewal date to avoid being charged for the next term. Upon cancellation, you will lose access to your hosting services, including any websites or applications hosted under that plan. Refunds are available only if you cancel within the first 30 days of purchase, but note that domain registration fees, setup fees, and addons such as SiteLock are non-refundable. Additionally, if your plan came with a free domain and you cancel within a year, the domain fee will be deducted from your refund amount. HostGator offers 24/7 customer support to help with cancellations or discuss alternative options.
- HostGator account login credentials (username and password)
- Access to the Customer Portal/dashboard
- Identification of the specific hosting package or service to cancel (such as selecting the correct package, domain, or addon)
- Package ID or hosting product details (visible in your dashboard)
- Reason for cancellation (to be entered in the cancellation form)
- Selection of services to cancel (choose which package, domain, or addon if you own multiple)
- Contact information for support (if further assistance by phone or chat is needed)
- Knowledge of renewal dates (to ensure cancellation before auto-renewal/renewal date)
We've actually written a step by step guide on how to get a refund from HostGator. Check it out!
The Easiest Way to Cancel HostGator
If you’re frustrated trying to cancel your subscription, membership, or bill from HostGator—or if you didn’t even realize you were being charged—Chargeback can help. Chargeback is a personal subscription manager that automatically detects hidden, recurring charges like Netflix, Hulu, and hundreds of others. With one click, we can cancel unwanted subscriptions, flag suspicious billing, and even initiate refund requests on your behalf. No more waiting on hold or navigating confusing help pages. Just connect your bank or email account, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Start reclaiming your money today with Chargeback
What Are Some Alternatives to HostGator?
WEB HostGator (with your domain name and phone number), EIG HostGator (with your domain name and phone number), FREETAXUSA.COM
Editorial Note: These articles reflect the opinions of Chargeback's writers. Everyone's situation is unique; therefore, it is important to conduct your own research and note that our self-help tools are not guaranteed to help with any specific problem.
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.png)
