# How to cancel AWS Lightsail

Stop Amazon Lightsail charges from the Lightsail console by deleting each instance: open the actions menu, choose Delete, and confirm Yes, delete. It takes about 5 minutes and instance charges stop as soon as it is deleted. Attached disks, snapshots, static IPs, and load balancers keep billing until you delete them, and unused hours are prorated.

Amazon Lightsail is an AWS virtual private server product with bundled instances, containers, databases, and storage at a published monthly price.

- Category: Hosting & deployment
- Entry plan: Linux/Unix instance at From $3.50 / month
- Billed via: web
- Difficulty: Medium (5.3 / 10 on the Cancellation Difficulty Index), takes about 5 minutes
- Direct cancellation page: https://lightsail.aws.amazon.com/
- Manually verified on 17 Aug 2026 against official sources
- Canonical guide: https://canicancelit.com/cancel/aws-lightsail

## Cancel in a web browser

> Deleting Lightsail resources stops Lightsail charges. This is not the same as closing the AWS account.

1. **Sign in to the Lightsail console** Sign in at lightsail.aws.amazon.com with the AWS account that owns the Lightsail resources.
2. **Delete each instance** On the home page, open the actions menu for the instance and choose Delete, then Yes, delete. Or open the instance, choose Delete, then Delete instance, select the checkbox, type Confirm, and choose Delete instance.
3. **Delete leftover billable resources** Static IPs, snapshots, block storage disks, and load balancers remain and keep incurring charges until you delete them.

> **Warning:** Stopped instances still incur charges. Deleting an instance cannot be undone unless you first keep a snapshot.

## Cancel a team plan

1. **Close the AWS account only if you also want AWS gone** Lightsail uses the same AWS account. Deleting Lightsail resources stops Lightsail charges. Closing the AWS account is a separate root-user flow on the Account page.

## Refunds, pausing, downgrades and your data

- **Refunds:** Lightsail bills hourly up to the monthly plan cap. If you delete an instance or managed database before month end, AWS charges a prorated amount for the hours used. No separate cash-refund window is documented beyond that proration.
- **Pausing:** Stopping an instance does not stop Lightsail instance charges. Instances are charged in the running or stopped state. Delete the instance to stop those charges.
- **Downgrading:** You can create a larger instance from a snapshot. You cannot scale a managed database down. Deleting an instance is permanent unless you first keep a snapshot. Automatic snapshots of a deleted instance are also deleted.
- **Account data:** Deleting an instance cannot be recovered. Automatic snapshots of that instance are deleted with it. Create a snapshot first if you need the data.

## At a glance

- Cancellation fee: None documented
- Refund window: Prorated hourly
- Effective: When the instance is deleted
- Free plan after: No

## FAQ

**Does stopping a Lightsail instance stop billing?**

No. Instances are charged while running or stopped. Delete the instance to stop instance charges.

**When do Lightsail charges stop?**

As soon as the instance is deleted. Leftover static IPs, snapshots, disks, and load balancers keep billing until deleted.

**Do I get a refund if I delete mid-month?**

AWS charges a prorated hourly amount up to the monthly cap. It is not a cash refund of a prepaid month.

**Is Lightsail the same as closing AWS?**

No. Lightsail is a separate product on an AWS account. Delete Lightsail resources to stop Lightsail charges. Closing the AWS account is a different root-user flow.

**What is the cheapest published instance price?**

The Lightsail FAQ and pricing page list $3.50 per month for the least expensive IPv6-only Linux/Unix plan, and $5 per month for the smallest public IPv4 Linux/Unix plan.

## Official sources

- [Delete Lightsail instances](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/lightsail/latest/userguide/delete-an-amazon-lightsail-instance.html) (checked 2026-08-17)
- [Amazon Lightsail pricing](https://aws.amazon.com/lightsail/pricing/) (checked 2026-08-17)
- [Amazon Lightsail FAQs](https://aws.amazon.com/lightsail/faq/) (checked 2026-08-17)
- [Lightsail billing and account management](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/lightsail/latest/userguide/amazon-lightsail-frequently-asked-questions-faq-billing-and-account-management.html) (checked 2026-08-17)
- [Close an AWS account](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/accounts/latest/reference/manage-acct-closing.html) (checked 2026-08-17)

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Verified cancellation guide from Can I Cancel It? (https://canicancelit.com). JSON version: https://canicancelit.com/cancel/aws-lightsail.json