Cancel The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO): Step-by-Step Guide

How to cancel The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) subscription in new zealand

Understanding The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) and your subscription rights

The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game set in the Elder Scrolls universe, where you explore the realm of Tamriel, complete quests, and interact with thousands of other players worldwide. The game operates on a hybrid model: you can purchase the base game once, then choose whether to pay for ESO Plus membership for ongoing benefits.

ESO Plus membership costs approximately NZD $16-18 per month and grants you access to all DLC expansions, 1,650 crowns (premium currency) monthly, unlimited storage through the Craft Bag feature, and experience-boosting perks. This is a recurring subscription that renews automatically each billing cycle unless you cancel it.

Many New Zealand players don't realise they have clear cancellation rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. At Tocancel, we help you understand those rights and take confident action to cancel your subscription without unnecessary delays or frustration.

What ESO plus includes

ESO Plus membership delivers immediate access to all DLC expansions and chapters released since the game's launch. You receive 1,650 crowns monthly, which you can spend on cosmetics, convenience items, or save for future Crown Store purchases. The unlimited Craft Bag is a storage system essential for serious crafters and collectors who gather resources across Tamriel. Additionally, you unlock experience-boosting perks and convenience features that accelerate your progression through the game world.

You can purchase individual chapters (such as Blackwood or High Isle) separately as one-time purchases, and cosmetic items through the Crown Store do not auto-renew; only the ESO Plus subscription itself renews monthly.

Subscription versus one-time purchases

The key distinction is this: ESO Plus is a recurring subscription that automatically charges you each month until you cancel it. In contrast, game chapters and Crown Store items are one-time purchases you own permanently once you buy them. This matters because cancelling your ESO Plus subscription does not remove chapters or cosmetics you've already purchased.

Your cancellation method depends entirely on which platform you subscribed through: PC and Mac via the official ESO website, Steam, Xbox, or PlayStation. Tocancel will walk you through each platform's specific steps below.

Your consumer rights and what the law protects

As a New Zealand consumer, you have clear legal protections when cancelling subscription services. The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 1986 protect your right to cancel recurring charges and receive transparent information about your subscription terms.

What the consumer guarantees act 1993 means for you

The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 requires that all services (including digital subscriptions) are supplied with care and skill, and that the trader provides you with clear, honest information about what you're buying. This means ESO and its payment provider must clearly display cancellation options, confirm your cancellation within a reasonable timeframe, and not attempt hidden charges after you cancel.

Your legal position is strong: you have the right to cancel any recurring subscription at any time, and the company must process your cancellation without unnecessary barriers. If ESO or its payment processor refuses to cancel or continues charging you after cancellation, you can escalate your complaint to the Commerce Commission, New Zealand's consumer protection authority.

The commerce commission as your escalation point

If ESO or Bethesda Softworks fails to honour your cancellation request, or if charges continue after you've cancelled, the Commerce Commission (comcom.govt.nz) is your enforcement body. You can file a complaint with them at no cost, and they investigate breaches of the Fair Trading Act and Consumer Guarantees Act. At Tocancel, we recommend documenting your cancellation attempt (screenshots, emails, dates) before escalating to the Commission.

Knowing your rights under New Zealand law empowers you to cancel with confidence and hold the company accountable if things go wrong.

Why you might cancel The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO)

Cancelling ESO Plus is a legitimate choice for many players, and your reasons are valid whether financial or personal. Tocancel recognises that subscription management is an important part of controlling your digital spending.

Common reasons players cancel ESO plus

You may have completed the content you wanted to experience and no longer need monthly crowns or DLC access. Perhaps you're taking a break from gaming to focus on finances, health, or other life commitments. You might realise the NZD $16-18 monthly charge doesn't match your actual playtime, or you prefer the free-to-play experience without a recurring fee. Some players cancel temporarily until major updates release, then resubscribe later.

You may also test whether ESO Plus genuinely adds value for your playstyle before committing long-term, or decide that crafting and DLC zones aren't central to how you want to play. None of these reasons require justification to ESO; your decision to cancel stands on its own.

What you keep and what you lose after cancellation

After your paid period expires, you lose access to DLC zones (you cannot enter them), the unlimited Craft Bag reverts to a limited inventory, and you stop receiving monthly crowns. However, you keep all one-time purchases: crowns you've already bought, cosmetics you own, and chapters you purchased separately. Your character data, progress, and achievements remain intact permanently, so you can always return to your account later.

Cancelling ESO Plus does not delete your account or erase your characters, so there is no risk in stepping away temporarily.

How to cancel The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) by platform

Your cancellation process depends entirely on which platform hosts your subscription. Tocancel has mapped out each pathway so you cancel correctly on your first attempt, whether you subscribe via PC, Mac, Steam, Xbox, or PlayStation.

Cancel ESO plus on PC and mac (official ESO account)

If you subscribe directly through the ESO website using your Bethesda account, follow these steps to cancel your recurring membership.

1. Visit the official ESO account portal at eso.bethesda.net and log in with your username and password.
   • Ensure you're on the official Bethesda website, not a third-party reseller.
2. Navigate to your account dashboard and locate "Account Settings" or "Subscriptions".
   • Look for a section labelled "Memberships" or "Active Subscriptions".
3. Find your active ESO Plus subscription and select "Cancel Membership" or "Manage Subscription".
   • You may be asked why you're cancelling; this feedback is optional.
4. Confirm the cancellation on the next screen and review the end date of your final paid period.
   • ESO will send you a confirmation email to your registered address.
5. Check your email inbox (and spam folder) for a cancellation confirmation email from Bethesda.
   • Keep this email as proof of your cancellation request.

Your subscription ends on the renewal date shown in your confirmation, and you are not charged again after that date.

Cancel ESO plus on steam

If you purchased your ESO Plus subscription through Steam (the PC gaming platform), you must cancel through Steam's account settings, not through ESO's website.

1. Open Steam and log in to your Steam account.
   • Use the same account linked to your ESO character.
2. Click your account name in the top right corner and select "Account" from the dropdown menu.
   • Alternatively, navigate to your Account page directly through steam.com.
3. Locate "Manage Subscriptions" or "Recurring Purchases" in your account settings.
   • This section lists all active recurring charges tied to your Steam account.
4. Find the ESO Plus subscription in the list and click "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage".
   • Steam will confirm the end date of your final paid period.
5. Confirm the cancellation and check your email for a confirmation notice from Steam.
   • Save this email as your cancellation record.

Steam ceases all charges after your final renewal date, and the ESO Plus benefits expire on that date.

Cancel ESO plus on xbox

Xbox players can cancel ESO Plus through their Xbox account settings or directly via the Xbox Game Pass billing system, depending on how you purchased the subscription.

1. Sign in to your Xbox account at account.xbox.com or on your Xbox console.
   • Use the account associated with your ESO Plus subscription.
2. Navigate to "Services and Subscriptions" (or "Manage Subscriptions" if on console).
   • This section displays all active recurring charges tied to your Xbox account.
3. Locate ESO Plus in your subscriptions list and select "Manage" or "Manage Subscription".
   • If you subscribed via Xbox Game Pass for PC or console, it may appear as a separate entry.
4. Click "Turn Off" or "Cancel" and confirm the cancellation.
   • Xbox displays your final renewal date before you confirm.
5. Check your Xbox account email for a cancellation confirmation from Microsoft.
   • Retain this email as proof of your cancellation.

Your ESO Plus subscription ends on the renewal date, and you incur no further charges on your Xbox account.

Cancel ESO plus on PlayStation

PlayStation Network users can cancel ESO Plus subscriptions through their PlayStation account settings.

1. Sign in to your PlayStation Network account at account.playstation.com (on a web browser or PlayStation console).
   • Use the account linked to your ESO Plus subscription.
2. Navigate to "Subscriptions" (web) or "Services and Subscriptions" (console).
   • This section lists all active recurring payments on your PlayStation account.
3. Find ESO Plus in your active subscriptions and click "Manage" or "View Details".
   • PlayStation displays your renewal date and billing amount.
4. Select "Cancel Subscription" or "Turn Off Automatic Renewal".
   • Confirm the cancellation on the next screen.
5. Check your email registered with PlayStation Network for a cancellation confirmation.
   • Save this confirmation as your cancellation record for your protection.

PlayStation removes all recurring charges after your final renewal date, and your ESO Plus benefits expire on that date.

Refunds and billing after cancellation

Understanding refund eligibility and how charges work after you cancel is crucial to protecting your wallet. New Zealand consumer law protects you from unexpected charges.

When you are and aren't entitled to a refund

If you cancel ESO Plus before your current billing cycle ends, you are not entitled to a refund of the payment you've already made for that cycle. For example, if you paid NZD $18 on the first of the month and cancel on the fifteenth, you have paid for a full month and that charge is not refundable; however, you do retain ESO Plus benefits until the end of that month.

If you are charged after you've successfully cancelled, you have grounds for a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. Tocancel advises you to contact the payment processor (Bethesda, Steam, Xbox, or PlayStation) immediately and request a refund of unauthorised charges. If they refuse, escalate to the Commerce Commission with documentation of your cancellation confirmation and the unauthorised charge.

How to verify no future charges occur

After you cancel, check your account portal 3 to 5 days later to confirm that no new charge appears. Additionally, review your bank or credit card statement for the first day of the next billing cycle to ensure no recurring charge posts. If an unexpected charge appears after your cancellation confirmation, contact the payment processor immediately and provide them with your cancellation confirmation email as evidence.

At Tocancel, we recommend keeping cancellation confirmation emails in a dedicated folder for 12 months after cancellation in case disputes arise.

Pricing comparison and ESO plus value

Understanding ESO Plus costs and what you receive helps you decide whether to resubscribe in the future or maintain a free-to-play account.

ESO Plus is best value if you actively explore DLC content and craft frequently. If you play casually or focus only on the base game, free-to-play may suit your needs better.

Common mistakes players make when cancelling

Cancelling a digital subscription can feel stressful, especially if you're worried about being charged after you've tried to cancel. We've seen players make avoidable errors that delay or complicate their cancellation process.

Mistake one: cancelling through the wrong platform

The most common error is attempting to cancel ESO Plus through the ESO website when you actually subscribed via Steam, Xbox, or PlayStation. Your cancellation must happen on the platform where you purchased the subscription. If you subscribe through Steam but cancel through the ESO website, Steam will continue charging you because the two systems are separate.

To avoid this, check your bank statement or credit card bill to identify which service name appears on your charges: Bethesda (ESO website), Valve (Steam), Microsoft (Xbox), or Sony (PlayStation). Then cancel through that exact platform.

Mistake two: not saving your cancellation confirmation

After you cancel, the company sends you a confirmation email. Many players delete this email immediately or overlook it in their inbox. If a dispute arises later-for example, if you're charged after cancellation-that confirmation email is your proof that you took action. Without it, the company can claim you never cancelled, and you'll struggle to recover unauthorised charges.

Tocancel recommends saving your cancellation confirmation email in a dedicated folder for 12 months. If an unexpected charge occurs, you have documented evidence to show the payment processor or the Commerce Commission.

Mistake three: assuming your account will be deleted

Some players avoid cancelling because they fear their account, characters, and progress will vanish. This is a misconception. Cancelling ESO Plus simply ends your recurring subscription; it does not delete your account or erase your character data. Your account and all progress remain intact indefinitely, so you can always log back in later with no loss of progress.

What happens after you cancel

Understanding what to expect after your cancellation is processed helps you transition smoothly to a free-to-play experience or prepare to resubscribe later.

Your final billing date and subscription end

After you cancel, your ESO Plus subscription remains active until the end of your current billing cycle. For example, if you paid on 15 March and cancel on 20 March, you retain ESO Plus until 15 April. You are not charged again after that date, and your subscription automatically ends without requiring a second cancellation attempt.

Tocancel advises checking your account settings 3 to 5 days after your stated end date to confirm that the subscription no longer appears as "active" or "renewing".

Accessing your account after cancellation

Once your ESO Plus period ends, you can still log into your account and play the base game for free. You lose access to DLC zones and the unlimited Craft Bag, but you retain all cosmetics, purchased chapters, and character data. If you earned crowns before cancellation and didn't spend them, those remain in your account permanently for future use.

Resubscribing to ESO plus later

If you decide to resubscribe to ESO Plus in the future, you can do so through the same platform you originally used. Resubscribing is as simple as navigating back to your account settings and selecting "Renew Membership" or "Buy ESO Plus". Your character and progress reactivate immediately upon resubscription, with no waiting period or complications.

What to do if cancellation fails or charges continue

If you cancel but continue to be charged, or if the company refuses to process your cancellation, you have clear steps to take under New Zealand law.

Step one: document and contact the payment processor

If you're charged after submitting a cancellation request, gather the following: your cancellation confirmation email, screenshots of your account settings showing the cancellation request, your bank or credit card statement showing the unauthorised charge, and the date you attempted to cancel. Contact the payment processor (Bethesda, Steam, Xbox, or PlayStation) in writing via their support email and provide this documentation. Request an immediate refund of the unauthorised charge and ask them to confirm in writing that your subscription is now cancelled.

Step two: pursue a chargeback if necessary

If the payment processor refuses to refund you within 10 business days, contact your bank or credit card issuer and report the unauthorised charge. You have the right to dispute charges on your card, and your bank will investigate on your behalf. Provide your bank with the same documentation: cancellation confirmation, proof of cancellation request, and the unauthorised charge on your statement. Your bank typically resolves chargebacks within 30 days.

Step three: escalate to the commerce commission

If the payment processor and your bank both fail to resolve the matter, you can file a formal complaint with the Commerce Commission at comcom.govt.nz. The Commerce Commission investigates breaches of the Fair Trading Act and Consumer Guarantees Act at no cost to you. Provide them with: your cancellation confirmation, copies of your correspondence with the payment processor, bank statements, and details of any charges after cancellation. The Commission has enforcement power and can compel the company to refund unauthorised charges.

Your rights under New Zealand consumer law are robust, and the Commerce Commission is your ally if the company fails to honour your cancellation.

Checklist before and after cancellation

Use this checklist to ensure you cancel successfully and protect yourself from post-cancellation problems.

Following this checklist protects you from billing disputes and gives you clear documentation if you need to escalate a complaint later.

Comparison: cancel versus keep

Before you click cancel, consider whether keeping ESO Plus aligns with your current needs and budget. This comparison helps you make an informed decision.

Choose to keep ESO Plus if you play frequently and explore DLC content regularly. Cancel if you play casually, focus only on the base game, or need to reduce your subscription spending.

Contact information and escalation for ESO support

If you encounter problems cancelling or need additional support, use these official contact points. Note that ESO has no local New Zealand office, so all support is handled internationally through Bethesda Softworks in the United States.

ESO customer support channels

Visit the official ESO support website at support.elderscrollsonline.com for ticket submissions, FAQs, and live chat support. You can also reach ESO support via email through your account portal at eso.bethesda.net. For Steam subscriptions, contact Steam Support directly at steampowered.com/support. For Xbox subscriptions, use Xbox Support at support.xbox.com. For PlayStation subscriptions, contact PlayStation Support at playstation.com/support.

These channels are your first point of contact for cancellation issues or billing disputes before you escalate to the Commerce Commission.

Commerce commission complaint process

If you cannot resolve your cancellation issue with ESO or the payment processor, file a complaint with the Commerce Commission at comcom.govt.nz or call 0800 943 600 (free from any New Zealand phone). The Commission investigates breaches of the Fair Trading Act and Consumer Guarantees Act and can order refunds or corrective action from the company.

No local postal address for ESO subscription cancellation exists in New Zealand; all cancellation requests must be submitted online through your account portal or the payment platform you used (Steam, Xbox, PlayStation). Bethesda Softworks' international office is located in the United States and does not handle cancellations for New Zealand customers directly.

Your right to cancel is backed by new zealand law

Cancelling The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) Plus subscription in New Zealand is straightforward when you know which platform to use and what to expect. Your consumer rights are protected by the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 1986, which mean you can cancel at any time without penalty, unauthorised charges are illegal, and the Commerce Commission will back you if the company refuses to honour your cancellation.

At Tocancel, we've guided hundreds of New Zealand players through cancelling gaming subscriptions like ESO, and we know that clear steps and confidence make the process painless. Whether you're cancelling to reduce expenses, taking a break from gaming, or simply reassessing your digital spending, your decision is valid and enforceable.

Save your cancellation confirmation, monitor your account for the next billing cycle, and don't hesitate to escalate to the Commerce Commission if unauthorised charges persist. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel unnecessary subscriptions and reclaim control of their recurring payments. Visit tocancel.com for guides on cancelling hundreds of other services, and remember: you are in control of your subscriptions, not the other way around.