*Average speeds are based on speed available to at least 50% of customers at peak time (8-10pm). Speeds vary according to factors like location, and the speed you receive may differ from the figure in our comparison. Most providers will give a customised estimate based on your address.
How to cancel your Virgin Media broadband
Whether you've got months left on your contract, or you're free as a bird, we explain how to cancel your Virgin Media broadband.
Updated
What's in this guide?
You might you want to quit your Virgin Media broadband deal because you’re unhappy with what you’re getting and you think you could get a better, cheaper deal elsewhere. Or maybe you’re moving in with your partner and you just want to cease your broadband service entirely.
Whatever the case, we’ve got a step-by-step guide to walk you through the process of cancelling your Virgin Media broadband service, plus the costs involved.
How to cancel once you’ve finished your contract
- Contact. Call Virgin Media and explain you want to leave.
- Haggle. If you’re calling it quits because you’ve decided Virgin is too expensive, then let them know. You may be able to haggle yourself a cheaper deal.
- Notice period. Once your long term contract is up, you’ll have to give Virgin 30 days’ notice that you want to cancel or you’ll roll over for another month.
- Return your kit. You might have to return your Virgin Media modem and equipment. If so, Virgin should provide you with a prepaid returns pack. You might be charged if you fail to send your Virgin Media equipment back.
- Refund. Once you’re completely separated, Virgin will work out whether you’re due a refund. This might be the case if you’ve paid for services in advance, for example. Don’t expect a quick turnaround though! It could be 45 days after your account has been closed before you receive your cheque.
How to cancel midway through your contract
You don’t know what life will throw at you. Maybe you signed an 18-month broadband contract but after a few months, you got your dream job offer in Australia. Or you met the love of your life and you’re moving into a place together.
Sadly, Virgin Media doesn’t take your new-found happiness into account. You’re still going to have to pay for cancelling early, and it could end up costing you hundreds of pounds.
You will have to pay one of the following:
- Full monthly charges. Virgin may end up charging you the full cost of what you would have paid had you seen out your contract to the end.
- Disconnection fee. Or Virgin will penalise you with a disconnection fee instead. This will be cheaper but could still be a hefty amount.
Exceptions to early termination charges
While in most instances you will have to fork out, there are some circumstances in which you can jump ship early without incurring a penalty. Basically, if Virgin fails to uphold its end of the bargain.
- Speed. If Virgin consistently fails to deliver the minimum speeds it promised you (see your agreement) then you might be able to cancel early. You will have to give Virgin a chance to fix the problem before you can quit though.
- Price rise. If Virgin moves the goal posts and starts charging you more than initially agreed, you can opt out. You’ll have 30 days from when Virgin notifies you of the increase.
- Loss of services. If Virgin suddenly stops providing broadband to your area, you’re within your rights to cancel, penalty-free.
- Rolling 30-day contract. If you’re on the 30-day rolling contract then you can leave penalty-free. You’ll have to give 30 days’ notice though.
- Cooling off period. Cancel Virgin broadband within 14 days of signing up and you’ll get your money back for the first month’s subscription charges and any installation fees. You’ll get charged for any calls or other transactions you’ve made during this time though.
How to switch providers
This is usually the simplest and easiest way to cancel your broadband account. However, because Virgin Media uses different infrastructure to many of the other providers, you’re going to have to do a lot of the heavy lifting.
Here’s what you’ve got to do:
- Sign up for a new broadband service and arrange the installation of your new modem.
- Contact Virgin and give them the date that your new broadband will go live.
- Virgin will hopefully cancel on the day that your new broadband kicks in (or close to it). This could take a couple of weeks.
- Pay any early termination charges if you switched providers while still under contract.
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Find a new broadband supplier
If you have had enough of your current broadband supplier and want to find a new one, use our comparison service to find one to suit you.
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