Private Internet Access (PIA) comes with some of the best prices of any VPN, and often doesn’t feel like a budget service. I say “often” because, sadly, it sometimes feels like you get what you pay for with PIA. While I’m working on seeing which settings introduce kinks, the truth is that PIA doesn’t always leave you with the Internet speed you need for daily use.
If you found Pia to be unreliable, you may want to know how to cancel your subscription, get a refund and trade up to a more stable VPN service. Here, I will explain to you how to stop the subscription from renewing, get your money back and delete your account (if you want to go there in advance).
How to turn off PIA auto-renewal
As with most VPNs, the standard way to cancel a PIA is to stop your subscription from renewing at the end of the current billing period. Whether you sign up for one month, one year or three years, you’ll get to keep using the VPN for as long as you like. Here is the procedure you should follow.
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On a desktop or mobile web browser, go to Preactivenetaccess.com. Click Sign in at the top of the screen.
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Enter your account username and password. You will be taken to your customer control panel. It should load automatically in the registration overview tab, but check the left column to make sure.
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Under the username of the subscription you want to Cancel, find the heading “Next Billing”, and click Turn off automatic updates Connect.
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You will get a message trying to urge you not to cancel. Click Turn off automatic updates and, this time on the left side of the window.
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Give a reason for cancellation. Feel free to click on “I have another reason,” then enter one letter and click Go ahead and cancel.
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Finally, the site will offer to connect you with tech support instead of cancellation. Hold the line and click Turn off automatic updates Again.
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After fighting all that, you should get a guarantee that your account will not renew when the payment period ends. Now you have all the time to look for a new VPN.
Note that if you first download PIA from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, you may have purchased your subscription directly through the app. In this case, your subscription will be controlled by the App Store you purchased it from, and you will have to go there to cancel. Just open your profile, buy a subscription and scroll down to find PIA.
How to delete your PIA account
If you’re sure you’re done with PIA, you might want to go the extra mile and delete your account entirely. You can do this by submitting a support ticket. Go to Helddesk.Privatenertenaccess.com, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on contact us under the resource headings (near the middle of the page).
Sam Chapman of Engadget
Write a clear, direct message. Feel free to use the screenshot above as an example. For quick help, you can also use the live chat – just go to the main PIA website, and click the button at the bottom right of the reading Need help? Chat with us! This will get your case attention right away, but you’ll have to defeat the AI assistant first.
How to get refund from PIA
PIA only offers refunds within the first 30 days after purchase. If you are within that window and want your money back, first cancel the automatic renewal, then submit a support ticket or contact the live chat as described in the previous section. Say you are requesting a full refund under the money back guarantee. Stick to your clothes, because they will probably try to persuade you not to go.
PIA methods
If you still need a VPN after canceling PIA — and you certainly will if you’ve ever been online — Engadget has a list of the best VPNs to help you comparison shop. As a quick summary, Proton VPN is the best service around. ExpressVPN is expensive, but it offers you great speed and a great app design. If you need fast speed every time, go with Surfshark.
