Remove an automatic payment by going to Settings and finding the subscription or recurring payment you want to stop
Log into your PayPal account on a web browser or the mobile app. Go to Settings (the gear icon), then select Payments or Subscriptions depending on what you're canceling. Find the payment you want to remove from the list, click or tap it, and select Cancel or Turn Off. The payment stops immediately, though you may receive a final confirmation email.
The exact wording and location of these buttons varies slightly between the PayPal website and app, and between personal and business accounts. If you cannot find the payment in your own Settings, it may be set up under a different email address or account — check whether you have multiple PayPal accounts.
If you set up the automatic payment through a merchant's website (like a streaming service or gym) rather than through PayPal directly, you may need to cancel it on that merchant's site instead. PayPal will show you which company is charging you, but that company controls whether the payment stops there or through PayPal.
Key Takeaways
- Automatic payments are canceled in PayPal Settings under Payments or Subscriptions, not by contacting the merchant.
- Cancellation takes effect immediately, though the merchant may send a confirmation that the subscription has ended.
- Some merchants allow you to pause a subscription instead of canceling it, which you can do through the merchant's own website or app.
- If you cannot find the payment in your account, check whether it is linked to a different email address or PayPal account.
- Canceling an automatic payment does not refund charges you have already paid.
Where to find automatic payments in PayPal Settings
On the PayPal website, log in and click the gear icon in the top right corner. Select Settings, then look for a tab labeled Payments, Subscriptions, or Automatic Payments. The exact name depends on your account type and region. You will see a list of all active recurring charges.
On the PayPal mobile app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, then tap Settings. Scroll down and select Payments or Subscriptions. The layout is similar to the website version, though buttons may be arranged differently on smaller screens.
If you have a business account, the path may be slightly different — look for Account Settings instead of the gear icon, then navigate to the payments section from there.
Steps to cancel a specific automatic payment
Once you are in the Payments or Subscriptions section, scan the list for the merchant or service name you want to stop. Click or tap on that payment to open its details. You will see information like the payment amount, frequency (weekly, monthly, yearly), and the next scheduled charge date.
Look for a button that says Cancel, Turn Off, Pause, or Manage. Click it. PayPal will ask you to confirm the cancellation — this is your last chance to change your mind before the payment is removed. Select Confirm or Yes to complete the cancellation.
After you confirm, PayPal will show a message saying the subscription is canceled or inactive. You should receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. The merchant will no longer be able to charge your PayPal account for that subscription.
What happens after you cancel
The automatic payment stops immediately. The merchant cannot charge you again unless you manually restart the subscription or set up a new one. However, canceling does not refund any charges you have already paid — it only stops future charges.
The merchant may send you a confirmation email saying your subscription has ended. Some merchants also send a cancellation survey or offer to pause the subscription instead of canceling it. You do not have to respond to these emails unless you want to.
If the merchant continues to charge you after you cancel, contact PayPal's Resolution Center to report the unauthorized charge. You can dispute it as an unauthorized transaction, and PayPal will investigate whether the merchant had permission to keep charging you.
If the payment is set up through the merchant instead of PayPal
Some companies set up automatic payments on their own website or app rather than through PayPal's subscription system. In these cases, you may need to cancel the subscription through the merchant's account settings, not through PayPal.
PayPal will still show the payment in your transaction history and upcoming charges, but the Cancel button may not work if the merchant controls the subscription. Log into the merchant's website or app, find your account or subscription settings, and look for an option to cancel or pause the subscription there. Once you cancel it on the merchant's end, PayPal will stop showing the upcoming charge.
If you are unsure whether the subscription is managed by PayPal or the merchant, check the payment details in your PayPal Settings. If it says something like "Managed by [Merchant Name]" or "Subscription through [Merchant]", you will need to cancel it on that company's website.
Troubleshooting: payment not showing up or won't cancel
If you cannot find the automatic payment in your PayPal Settings, the subscription may be linked to a different email address or PayPal account. Check whether you have more than one PayPal account and log into each one to search for the payment. If you share a household account or use a business account, the subscription might be under a different person's login.
If you find the payment but the Cancel button is grayed out or missing, the subscription may have already ended or expired. Check the status — if it says "Inactive" or "Expired", there is nothing to cancel. If the status says "Active" but you cannot cancel it, try using a different browser or the mobile app, as technical glitches sometimes prevent the button from appearing.
If you still cannot cancel the payment after checking both your accounts and trying different browsers, contact PayPal's customer service through the Resolution Center or the Help section of your account. Provide the merchant name and the date of the last charge, and PayPal can cancel the subscription on your behalf.
Pausing instead of canceling
Some merchants offer the option to pause a subscription instead of canceling it. This temporarily stops charges without permanently ending the subscription. You can usually restart it later without signing up again. Pausing is useful if you want to stop charges for a few months but plan to use the service again.
The pause option appears in the same place as the cancel button — in your PayPal Settings or on the merchant's website. Select Pause instead of Cancel, and choose how long you want to pause (usually 1 to 12 months). When the pause period ends, the subscription will automatically restart unless you cancel it before then.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I get a refund if I cancel an automatic payment?
No. Canceling stops future charges only. Charges you have already paid are not refunded. If you believe a charge was unauthorized or the merchant continued charging after you canceled, you can dispute it through PayPal's Resolution Center within 180 days of the charge.
Can the merchant restart my subscription without asking?
No. Once you cancel, the merchant cannot charge you again unless you manually restart the subscription or sign up for a new one. If they continue charging after cancellation, report it as an unauthorized transaction in the Resolution Center.
What if I cancel but still see the payment in my account?
PayPal may take a few hours to remove the canceled subscription from your Settings. If it still appears after 24 hours, or if you see a charge after canceling, contact PayPal support. The payment may be set up through the merchant's system rather than PayPal's, which requires canceling on the merchant's website instead.
Do I need to contact the merchant after canceling on PayPal?
No. Canceling in PayPal Settings is sufficient — the merchant will be notified automatically that the subscription has ended. You do not need to email them or call them unless you want to confirm the cancellation or discuss a refund for past charges.
Can I pause a subscription instead of canceling it?
Only if the merchant offers that option. Check your subscription details in PayPal Settings or on the merchant's website. If a pause button appears, you can use it to temporarily stop charges. If only a cancel button appears, pausing is not available for that subscription.