Taking a Breather: Is a Netflix Break Right for You?
Are you feeling the Netflix pinch? Perhaps the rising subscription costs are grating on you. Maybe you’re disillusioned with the platform’s crackdown on password sharing. Or, quite possibly, you’ve simply scrolled through the endless rows of titles and found nothing that sparks your interest. Whatever the reason, the question might be lingering in your mind: Is it time to take a break from Netflix?
The decision to pause or cancel Netflix carries a weight that’s often absent when considering other streaming services. For many, Netflix has been a constant presence in their lives for years, even decades. It’s become ingrained in our entertainment routines. The author of this piece, for example, confesses to being a Netflix subscriber for nearly 20 years. In contrast, the other major streaming players are relatively new to the scene, only a few years old at most.
This longevity is what makes Netflix feel almost like a utility, something you automatically pay for each month, much like your gas, electricity, or even taxes. It’s a recurring expense that fades into the background of your financial landscape.
However, the newer streaming services, such as Max or Peacock, evoke a different feeling. They are often approached with a more casual attitude. The subscription is viewed as temporary, existing only as long as there’s a specific show or movie to watch. Once that content has been consumed, the service is promptly cancelled. Finished with the latest season of "Hacks" or "Poker Face"? Goodbye until the next season arrives!
This raises the question: what makes Netflix so different? What distinguishes it from the other streaming options that allows it to hold such a prominent position in our lives? The author experienced a revelation after months of endlessly scrolling through the Netflix library, finding nothing that appealed to them. The result was a serious case of Netflix fatigue.
Eventually, the frustration reached a boiling point. The author decided to cancel their Netflix subscription and hasn’t regretted it. The intention is to return to Netflix eventually, but only after exploring the other streaming services on a rotating basis.
The key takeaway is this: it’s perfectly acceptable to take a break from Netflix. It’s not a permanent separation, and just because you leave doesn’t mean you can’t return later.
There are two distinct ways to take this break: pausing your membership or cancelling your subscription altogether.
What’s the difference? Pausing your Netflix membership only suspends your account for a limited time, typically one month. After that month, your subscription automatically reactivates, and you’ll resume being billed. While you may be able to briefly extend the pause, it’s not a permanent solution.
Cancelling your Netflix membership, on the other hand, means your subscription remains inactive until you choose to manually reactivate it. The good news is that Netflix retains your membership details, including your viewing profiles, watch list, video ratings, and personalized recommendations, for up to 10 months after you cancel.
If you reactivate your subscription within that 10-month window, your account will be restored to its previous state, effectively putting your membership on hold.
So, how do you pause your Netflix subscription for a month or two? Here’s a step-by-step guide:
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Open Netflix in a web browser.
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Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
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Select "Account" from the drop-down menu.
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On the Account screen, locate the "Manage membership" button, typically found near the top-left corner.
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Click on "Manage membership."
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On the following page, you should find a "Pause for 1 Month" option. Click on it to initiate the pause.
Your Netflix subscription will now be paused for one month, starting on your next billing date.
Netflix now offers the option to pause your subscription for up to three months at a time.
A week before your pause is scheduled to end, Netflix will send you a notification offering the option to extend the pause for another month. Remember that the maximum pause duration is three months.
Unpausing your subscription is equally straightforward. Simply visit Netflix on the web or mobile app, and you’ll be greeted with prominent prompts asking if you want to unpause your membership. If you choose to unpause, you’ll be charged immediately for the next month, and your billing cycle will be adjusted accordingly.
If you’re looking for a longer break or want to cancel your subscription entirely, the process is as follows:
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Go to Netflix on the web.
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Click on "Account" in the top-right corner of the screen.
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Click on "Manage membership."
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Select "Finish Cancellation."
Despite the warnings about losing your personalized recommendations, your account profiles and other details will remain stored for 10 months. After that period, your Netflix data will be permanently deleted.
Ben Patterson, the author, has been writing about technology and consumer electronics for over 20 years and holds a master’s degree in English literature.
