Where to find and update your payment method
To change the payment method on your Microsoft account, go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and select Payment & billing from the left menu. Then click Payment methods. From there, you can add a new card or bank account, set a different method as your default, or remove old payment information entirely.
The process takes about two minutes. Microsoft stores your payment method so it can charge you automatically for subscriptions like Microsoft 365, Game Pass, or Xbox services. If you change your method, future charges will use the new one — but any recurring subscription will keep charging on its regular schedule.
You can also update your payment method from within specific services. If you're in Xbox, go to Settings > Account > Payment & billing. In Microsoft 365, sign in at account.microsoft.com and follow the same path. The changes sync across all Microsoft services tied to that account.
Key Takeaways
- Sign in at account.microsoft.com, select Payment & billing, then Payment methods to see all your stored cards and bank accounts.
- You can add a new payment method, delete an old one, or change which method is set as default in one place.
- Changes take effect immediately for new charges, but existing subscriptions continue on their current billing cycle.
- If a payment fails, Microsoft will retry it a few times before suspending your service — update your method as soon as you know a card is expired or closed.
Adding a new card or bank account
Click Add a payment method on the Payment methods page. You can add a credit card, debit card, or bank account. For a card, enter the number, expiration date, and CVV. For a bank account, you'll need your routing number and account number.
Microsoft will verify the information immediately. If you're adding a bank account, Microsoft may make two small test deposits to confirm you own it — check your bank statement in a few days and enter those amounts back into your Microsoft account to complete verification. This usually takes 1 to 3 business days.
Once added, the new method appears in your list. You can set it as your default right away, or leave your current method active and switch later.
Setting a different payment method as default
Your default payment method is what Microsoft charges first when a subscription renews or you make a purchase. To change it, go to Payment methods, find the card or account you want to use, and click the three dots next to it. Select Make default.
The change takes effect immediately. Any charge that processes after you make the change will use the new default method. If you have multiple subscriptions, they'll all switch to the new default on their next billing date.
Removing an old or unused payment method
If you want to delete a card or bank account you no longer use, go to Payment methods, click the three dots next to it, and select Delete. You cannot delete the payment method that's currently set as default — you must set a different one as default first, then delete the old one.
Removing a payment method does not cancel any subscriptions. Your active subscriptions will charge to your default method on the next billing date. If you delete the only payment method on your account, Microsoft will ask you to add a new one before processing the next charge.
What happens if a payment fails
If a charge fails — because a card is expired, closed, or has insufficient funds — Microsoft will retry the payment a few times over several days. You'll receive an email each time a charge fails. During this period, you can update your payment method to stop the failed charges and keep your service active.
If all retries fail, Microsoft will suspend your subscription or service access. You won't lose your account or data, but you won't be able to use paid services until you add a working payment method and pay any outstanding balance. Once you update your payment information, Microsoft will attempt to charge the overdue amount, and your service will resume.
Updating payment method for a specific subscription
If you want to change the payment method for just one subscription — for example, using a different card for Xbox Game Pass than for Microsoft 365 — you can't do that directly. Microsoft charges all subscriptions to your account default. However, you can temporarily set a specific card as default, let that subscription charge, then switch back to your preferred default for other services.
A simpler approach: add the card you want to use as a secondary method, set it as default before the subscription's billing date, and then change back to your primary card after the charge posts. This works, but requires planning around your billing cycle.
Troubleshooting payment method changes that don't stick
If you change your payment method but Microsoft keeps charging the old card, clear your browser cache and cookies, then sign out and back in. Sometimes cached data causes the old method to appear active even though you've changed it.
If the problem persists, try a different browser or device. If you're still seeing the old method charge, contact Microsoft Support directly — there may be a backend issue preventing the change from syncing across their systems. Have your account email and the last four digits of the card you're trying to remove ready when you contact them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a prepaid card or gift card as my payment method?
Yes. Prepaid cards and gift cards work like regular debit cards — enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV just as you would for any other card. The charge will process immediately when your subscription renews or you make a purchase. If the card runs out of funds before the charge posts, the payment will fail and you'll need to add a different method.
What if I want to use different payment methods for different Microsoft services?
You can't assign a specific card to a specific service. All charges go to your account default. If you need to use different cards, you can temporarily change your default before each billing date, but this requires manual management each month.
How long does it take for a payment method change to take effect?
Changes take effect immediately for new charges and purchases. If you have an active subscription, the new method will be used on the next scheduled billing date. If you're adding a bank account, verification can take 1 to 3 business days before you can set it as default.
Can I remove my payment method without canceling my subscription?
No. You must have at least one active payment method on your account to keep a paid subscription active. If you delete your only payment method, Microsoft will ask you to add a new one before your next billing date. You can remove old or unused methods, but you need to keep one current method on file.
What happens to my old payment method if I don't delete it?
It stays in your account history but won't be charged unless you set it as default again. Removing it is optional — you can leave old cards on file for reference. However, if a card is compromised or you're concerned about security, delete it to reduce the risk of unauthorized charges.