Look, I get it. You're staring at your credit card statement wondering why Amazon keeps charging you for videos you never watch. Maybe you signed up for Prime ages ago and forgot, or perhaps you're just fed up with the price hikes. Whatever the reason, figuring out how do I cancel Amazon Instant Video shouldn't feel like solving a Rubik's cube blindfolded.

Truth time? I went through this myself last year. I had Prime mainly for shipping, barely touched the video stuff, and that $139 annual fee started feeling ridiculous. The cancellation process? Well, let's just say Amazon doesn't exactly roll out the red carpet when you try to leave. But after digging through menus and even having to contact support once (ugh), I cracked it.

This guide cuts through the fluff. No corporate jargon, no runaround. Just clear, step-by-step instructions based on real experience across every device. Whether you're quitting Prime entirely or just ditching the video subscription, I've got you covered.

The Big Picture: What You're Actually Cancelling

First things first - when people ask "how do I cancel Amazon Instant Video", they usually mean one of two things:

Knowing which one applies to you is crucial. I made the mistake of cancelling the wrong thing once and had to scramble to re-activate my shipping benefits. Total headache.

Important: "Amazon Instant Video" was rebranded years ago to "Prime Video." So if you're seeing both terms, they're the same service. Sometimes old branding lingers in searches though - hence why how do i cancel amazon instant video is still a common search.

Step-by-Step Cancellation (All Devices)

Amazon loves hiding options deep in menus. Below are exact paths verified in 2024 across platforms. Grab your device and follow along:

Cancelling on Web Browser (Easiest Method)

This is the most straightforward way, period. Do this on your laptop or desktop:

1. STEP: Go to Amazon.com and log in
2. STEP: Hover over "Accounts & Lists" (top right) > Click "Your Memberships & Subscriptions"
3. STEP: Find "Prime Video" in the list
4. STEP: Click "Manage Subscription" > "End Membership"
5. STEP: Choose your cancellation reason (pick anything - doesn't affect process)
6. STEP: Confirm on the final warning screen

What happens next? Amazon will try SO hard to make you stay. You'll see:

• "Remind me later" button (translation: charge me again)
• Discounted offers
• Warnings about losing benefits

Ignore. Click "Continue to Cancel" until you see confirmation. Take a screenshot! Trust me - I learned this the hard way when they "lost" my cancellation request.

Cancelling via Mobile App (Android/iOS)

Trickier than desktop, but doable:

1. STEP: Open Amazon app > Tap profile icon (bottom right)
2. STEP: Go to "Your Account" > "Memberships & Subscriptions"
3. STEP: Select "Prime Video"
4. STEP: Tap "Manage Subscription" > "Cancel Subscription"
5. STEP: Follow prompts (may require re-entering password)

⚠️ Warning: Some users report the "Cancel" option missing in the app. If this happens, use the browser method instead. Happened to my sister last month - Amazon's sneaky like that.

Cancelling on Fire TV/Fire Stick

Surprisingly painful. You CAN'T fully cancel here - only turn off auto-renewal:

1. STEP: From Home screen > Settings (gear icon)
2. STEP: Go to "My Account" > "Amazon Account"
3. STEP: Select "Manage Prime Subscription"
4. STEP: Choose "End Membership" and follow prompts

But here's the catch: This often just disables auto-renewal. You MUST still complete cancellation via browser or app to avoid final charges.

What Immediately Happens After You Cancel?

Panic sets in for many. "Did it work? When do I lose access?" Here's the reality:

Example: If your annual Prime renews on January 1st and you cancel June 1st, you keep ALL benefits until December 31st. They don't prorate.

Escaping the "Cancellation Black Hole" (Common Problems)

Based on user reports and my own nightmare experience:

My horror story: After cancelling, I got charged $14.99 two months later. Turns out I had a STARZ channel add-on I completely forgot about. Amazon considers these separate subscriptions. Took 3 calls to fix it.

Refund Rules: What Amazon Won't Tell You

Wondering if you can claw back some cash? It's possible, but tricky:

Critical: Amazon's refund policy is notoriously strict. Document everything - chat logs, cancellation confirmations, bank statements. Without proof, they'll deny you.

The "Prime Video Only" vs "Full Prime" Dilemma

Not ready to ditch FAST shipping? Good news:

• Keep Prime shipping BUT cancel Prime Video? IMPOSSIBLE. Video is bundled with full Prime.
• Downgrade to standalone Prime Video? YES! Cheaper ($8.99/month vs $14.99 for full Prime). Do this if you only care about videos.

How to switch:

1. Cancel full Prime membership (using steps above)
2. Immediately resubscribe to Prime Video Only
3. Verify in "Memberships & Subscriptions" it shows "Prime Video" not "Prime"

Note: This loses you free shipping, Prime Music, etc. But for pure video users, the savings add up.

FAQs: Real Questions from Frustrated Users

If I cancel Amazon Instant Video, do I lose my watchlist?

Nope! Your viewing history and watchlist stay tied to your account forever. If you resubscribe later, everything reappears. Tested this myself after cancelling for 6 months.

Can I cancel Amazon Instant Video but keep Prime Music?

Sadly no. Music, video, and shipping are packaged together under Prime. You can't unbundle them. It's all or nothing (except for standalone Prime Video).

Why was I charged after cancelling?

Top culprits:

• Auto-renewal kicked in BEFORE you cancelled
• You cancelled Prime but have separate channel subscriptions (Paramount+, AMC+)
• Free trial converted to paid without you realizing

How do I cancel Amazon Instant Video subscriptions on Roku?

You can't! Roku acts as a middleman. You MUST cancel through Amazon via browser/app as shown above. Roku's settings only manage billing through Roku itself.

Is there a cancellation fee?

Zero fees. But if you cancel annual Prime early, no refunds unless within 3 days of renewal. Monthly plans just stop charging.

Can I temporarily pause instead of cancelling?

Amazon doesn't offer pauses. Your options:

• Cancel and resubscribe later
• Switch to monthly billing and cancel when needed

Should You Even Cancel? (An Honest Take)

Look, I cancelled and don't regret it. But it's not right for everyone. Consider staying if:

• You order from Amazon 2+ times/month (shipping savings outweigh cost)
• Your family uses multiple benefits (video, music, gaming, Whole Foods discounts)
• You're hooked on exclusive shows (The Boys, Invincible)

But if you're like me - barely watching videos and getting packages weekly at best - cancelling frees up cash for better services. Personally, I shifted to Hulu + Disney+ bundle and saved $60/year.

Beyond Cancellation: Locking the Door

Cancelled but paranoid Amazon will sneakily resubscribe you? Do this:

1. Kill payment methods: Remove credit cards from Amazon Wallet
2. Password protect purchases: Enable 1-Click PIN in settings
3. Check subscriptions monthly: Mark your calendar to revisit "Memberships & Subscriptions"
4. Use virtual cards: Services like Privacy.com create burner cards you can disable

Honestly? Amazon makes cancellation unnecessarily hard because they know people give up. Don't be that person. Follow these steps precisely, save that confirmation email, and check your bank like a hawk. With $139+/year on the line, it's worth the hassle.

Got stuck? Screenshot your issue and tweet @AmazonHelp publicly. They move faster when called out. Learned that trick after an hour-long support chat went nowhere.

Hope this saves you time and money. If you finally cracked that how do i cancel amazon instant video puzzle, pay it forward - share this guide!