How Microsoft 365 Renewal Works

Microsoft 365 subscriptions renew automatically on the date your current plan expires, unless you turn off automatic renewal. When renewal happens, Microsoft charges your payment method on file — usually a credit card, debit card, or bank account. The charge appears as "Microsoft" or "Microsoft Services" on your statement.

You do not have to do anything to renew if automatic renewal is on. Microsoft will send you an email reminder about 30 days before your renewal date, and another email after the charge goes through. If you want to renew manually instead, or if you want to change your plan before renewal, you can do both through your Microsoft account settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft 365 renews automatically on your expiration date unless you turn off automatic renewal in your account settings.
  • You can find your renewal date and payment method in the Services & Subscriptions section of your Microsoft account.
  • To change your plan or payment method before renewal, go to your subscription details and select the option to edit or change your plan.
  • If your payment fails at renewal, Microsoft will retry the charge and send you a notice; you have a grace period to update your payment method before your subscription stops working.

Finding Your Renewal Date and Payment Method

Log into your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com. Click on "Services & Subscriptions" in the left menu. You will see a list of all active subscriptions tied to that account, including Microsoft 365. Next to your Microsoft 365 subscription, you will see the renewal date and the payment method on file.

If you have multiple Microsoft accounts, your Microsoft 365 subscription is tied to the account you used when you bought it. You must log into that specific account to see and manage the subscription. If you are not sure which account you used, check your purchase confirmation email — it will show the email address associated with the order.

Turning Off Automatic Renewal

Go to account.microsoft.com and select "Services & Subscriptions." Find your Microsoft 365 subscription and click on it. You will see a section labeled "Recurring billing" or "Auto-renew." Click the toggle to turn it off. Microsoft will ask you to confirm; select "Turn off" again.

Once you turn off automatic renewal, your subscription will not renew when it expires. Your access to Microsoft 365 apps and services will stop on your expiration date. You can turn automatic renewal back on at any time before that date by going back to the same screen and toggling it on again.

Changing Your Plan Before Renewal

You can upgrade or downgrade your Microsoft 365 plan at any time, including right before renewal. Go to account.microsoft.com, select "Services & Subscriptions," and click on your Microsoft 365 subscription. Look for an option that says "Change plan" or "Manage subscription."

If you upgrade to a more expensive plan, Microsoft will charge you the difference for the remaining time on your current billing cycle. If you downgrade to a less expensive plan, you may receive a credit toward your next renewal. The change takes effect when ready, and your new plan will renew on the same date as your old plan would have.

Updating Your Payment Method

Go to account.microsoft.com and click "Payment options" or "Billing" in the left menu. You will see all payment methods on file. To add a new payment method, click "Add a payment method" and enter your credit card, debit card, or bank account details. To remove a payment method, click the three dots next to it and select "Delete."

Microsoft 365 will use the payment method marked as "Default" at renewal time. To change which payment method is default, click the three dots next to the one you want to use and select "Make default." If your default payment method fails at renewal, Microsoft will try the other payment methods on file in the order they appear.

What Happens If Your Payment Fails

If the charge fails at renewal, Microsoft will send you an email notification. Microsoft will retry the charge automatically over the next few days. During this time, your Microsoft 365 subscription remains active. You should update your payment method as soon as you see the notification.

If all retry attempts fail, your subscription will be suspended. You will lose access to Microsoft 365 apps and your files will be read-only. You have a grace period (the length varies by region and subscription type) to update your payment method and pay the renewal charge. After the grace period ends, Microsoft may delete your data. To restore your subscription, go to account.microsoft.com, update your payment method, and pay the renewal charge.

Renewing a Subscription That Has Already Expired

If your Microsoft 365 subscription has expired and you did not renew it, you can renew it at any time. Go to account.microsoft.com and select "Services & Subscriptions." Your expired subscription will appear in the list. Click on it and look for a "Renew" button or link. Click it, confirm your plan and payment method, and complete the purchase.

When you renew an expired subscription, your new subscription begins on the date you renew, not on the date your old one expired. You will not receive a refund or credit for the time between expiration and renewal. If you had files in OneDrive or other Microsoft 365 services, they may still be accessible during the grace period, but after that period ends they may be deleted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Microsoft 365 subscription before the expiration date?

Yes. Go to account.microsoft.com, select "Services & Subscriptions," click your subscription, and look for a "Renew now" or "Extend" option. Renewing early extends your subscription end date by one year from the current expiration date, not from the date you renew.

What if I want to cancel instead of renewing?

Turn off automatic renewal in your subscription settings. Your subscription will remain active until the expiration date, then it will not renew. You do not need to contact Microsoft or request a refund — straightforward turning off automatic renewal is enough to stop the renewal.

Will I lose my files if my subscription expires?

Not when ready. You will have a grace period (usually 60 days, but this varies) to renew or update your payment method. During the grace period, your files remain in OneDrive and you can still access them. After the grace period ends, Microsoft may delete your data if the subscription is not renewed.

Can I change my payment method after renewal has already happened?

Yes. The payment method you use for renewal does not lock you in. You can update your payment method at any time in your account settings. The new payment method will be used for your next renewal unless you change it again.

Do I get a receipt when my subscription renews?

Yes. Microsoft sends a receipt email after the renewal charge goes through. The email includes the charge amount, the renewal date, and your new expiration date. You can also view all past charges and receipts in the "Billing history" section of your Microsoft account.