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Canceling Nintendo Online: An Expert Guide

Nintendo Online provides online multiplayer, voice chat, cloud saves, classic games and more across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and 3DS. However, you may wish to cancel the auto-renewing membership for cost savings or lack of use.

This comprehensive guide explains how to cancel seamlessly. Keep reading for platform specifics, implications to understand, and pro tips when moving forward without Nintendo Online.

Overview of Nintendo Online Benefits

First, a quick run-through of major Nintendo Online functionality across Nintendo platforms:

Nintendo Switch

  • Online multiplayer gaming
  • Cloud save data backup
  • Exclusive deals & offers
  • Voice chat via mobile app
  • Classic NES/SNES libraries
  • Additional DLC perks

Nintendo 3DS

  • Online multiplayer gaming
  • Digital store/game discounts
  • Classic Game Boy/NES/SNES titles
  • Game patch updates

Wii U

  • Online multiplayer gaming
  • Voice chat support
  • Access to classic NES/SNES games

Now let‘s get into cancelling each membership.

Canceling Nintendo Online for Nintendo Switch

Ready to cancel Nintendo Online on your Switch or OLED model? Let‘s get into it.

Step 1) Access Nintendo Account Settings

First, sign into Nintendo.com and your Nintendo Account:

In the top-right, click your profile icon and select Account Settings:

Step 2) Navigate to Nintendo Switch Online

In the left sidebar under Shop Menu, choose Nintendo Switch Online:

You‘ll reach the membership details screen.

Step 3) Turn Off Auto-Renewal

Under your expiration date, toggle the Auto-renewal button OFF:

Finally, confirm turning auto-renewal OFF when prompted.

And you‘ve successfully cancelled Nintendo Switch Online! Continue reading for what happens next.

After Cancelling Nintendo Switch Online

Once your membership term finishes, what changes? How are your games, saves and wallet impacted?

Multiplayer Gaming

You won‘t be able to play Switch games online after cancellation – only local wireless and offline singleplayer. For 100% online titles like Splatoon 2, wait until resubscribed.

Cloud Saves

Cloud backup for save data halts too. Any existing saves remain retrievable if resubscribing in the future. Backup saves locally before expiry if concerned.

Classic Game Libraries (NES/SNES)

Losing access to classic Nintendo games is another downside of cancellation. If you regularly play the retro libraries, keep an active subscription.

Switch eShop Discounts

The Switch eShop provides exclusive deals for Nintendo Online members. To continue receiving discounts, retain membership.

Switch News Feed

A small perk is the activity feed displaying friend updates and community screenshots/posts. This disappears sans subscription.

So in summary – online play, cloud saves, classic games/deals all go away post-cancellation. But downloaded software and local saves remain playable, with online features unlocking immediately upon resubscribing later on.

Re-Enabling Nintendo Switch Online

To resume membership perks, return to Nintendo Switch Online in account settings and toggle Auto-renewal back ON.

Confirm turning auto-renewal on when prompted, and your membership reactivates!

Cancelling Expansion Pack or DLC

The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack with N64/Genesis games follows the same cancellation process:

  1. Enter Account Settings
  2. Select Nintendo Switch Online
  3. Toggle OFF auto-renewal under membership

Paid DLC like item packs, season passes and vouchers are non-recurring purchases, not subscriptions. As these are one-time add-ons, there is no cancellation process.

However you can request DLC refunds under certain conditions – contact Nintendo support for assistance doing so.

Now let‘s discuss cancelling Nintendo Online on legacy Nintendo platforms.

Canceling Nintendo Online for Wii U

To cancel Wii U‘s Nintendo Online membership:

  1. Tap the Wii U Menu icon
  2. Open the System Settings application
  3. Select Internet Settings > Nintendo Network Service Configuration
  4. Choose to Stop auto-renewal when prompted

Without Wii U membership, you lose:

  • Online multiplayer gaming
  • Voice chat ability
  • Access to classic Virtual Console games

But you keep purchased Virtual Console/WiiWare downloads linked to your Nintendo Network ID, playable locally without online connectivity.

Canceling Nintendo Online for 3DS

You can also cancel automatic renewal for your 3DS/2DS system‘s Nintendo Online membership:

  1. On the Home Menu, open System Settings
  2. Scroll down and tap Other Settings
  3. Tap Nintendo eShop Setting
  4. Select Automatic Funds Adding and disable

Now your membership won‘t auto-renew when it expires. 3DS Perks removed after cancellation:

  • Multiplayer gaming
  • eShop discounts
  • Classic game downloads

But game downloads, currency and saves stay available for offline use when signed into your Nintendo Account.

Family Membership Cancellations

For families with a Nintendo Online family plan:

  • Only the family manager can cancel auto-renewal
  • This terminates membership for the whole group
  • Each user keeps their Nintendo Accounts after
  • Group members can resubscribe as individuals

So have the plan owner handle cancellation via Nintendo Account settings online. This avoids problems or unwanted surprises for the rest of the covered family members!

Troubleshooting Nintendo Online Cancellations

Having issues cancelling Nintendo Online? Here are fixes for some common roadblocks:

Automatic renewal remains on after cancelling

Nintendo can take 1-2 billing cycles to fully process cancellation changes across systems. Check back after your next payment date passes.

Card charged after I cancelled renewal

As grace periods apply, charges soon after cancelling may still process. But now your following payment date will automatically pass without charges.

Can‘t cancel membership for child/family member

Only the "family manager" controlling the group membership can cancel renewal for all members. Have child accounts contact the manager when wanting cancellations.

Stuck with any other cancellation problems? Reach out to Nintendo Support via phone, chat or email.

Key Takeaways About Cancelling Nintendo Online

Wrapping up this detailed cancellation walkthrough…

Here are the essential points about ending your Nintendo Online membership:

  • Auto-renew stopped but you keep access until your term finishes
  • Games and DLC stay in account permanently after cancellation
  • You can re-enable auto payments instantly to resume membership
  • For family plans, have the manager cancel group renewal
  • Online multiplayer and cloud saves deactivate after term expires
  • If issues arise, contact Nintendo‘s customer support

Did this guide help explain Nintendo Online cancellation clearly? Have you decided whether to keep or cancel membership going forward? Whichever route you go, game on!