Amazon Web Services (AWS) is one of the most powerful cloud platforms, but if you’re no longer using your account, it’s important to know how to terminate AWS account properly. Simply stopping services isn’t enough—without proper termination, you may still be charged. This blog will guide you through everything you need to safely close your AWS account.
Why Should You Terminate Your AWS Account?
Understanding how to terminate AWS account can help you avoid:
- Unexpected monthly charges
- Security risks from inactive resources
- Compliance issues due to leftover data
- Resource conflicts if you plan to open a new account
If you’re done with cloud testing, email marketing (like Amazon SES), or no longer need hosting, closing your AWS account is a smart decision.
Precautions Before You Terminate Your AWS Account
Before we dive into how to terminate AWS account, take the following actions:
- Back up important data: Once closed, your data can’t be recovered.
- Download invoices: For financial tracking or refunds.
- Check for active resources: EC2, RDS, S3 buckets, Lambda functions, etc.
- Disable IAM users: Revoke permissions for additional users.
Proper cleanup ensures a smooth termination process without future surprises.
How to Terminate AWS Account Step by Step
Follow these steps to learn exactly how to terminate AWS account from the AWS console:
Step 1: Sign in to AWS
Go to https://aws.amazon.com and sign in with your root user credentials (not an IAM user).
Step 2: Navigate to Billing Dashboard
Once logged in, search for “Billing” in the AWS Management Console. Check if there are any unpaid invoices or active subscriptions.
Step 3: Delete Active Resources
Go to each region and remove:
- EC2 Instances
- S3 Buckets
- RDS Databases
- Load Balancers
- Lambda functions
- CloudWatch logs, etc.
Make sure to do this for every region, not just your default one.
Step 4: Close All Subscriptions
Cancel any third-party Marketplace subscriptions or AWS paid services like AWS Support plans.
Step 5: Go to Account Settings
In the top right corner, click your account name → “Account”. Scroll down and find “Close Account”.
Step 6: Confirm Closure
Check the confirmation box and click “Close Account”. You’ll get a confirmation message via email.
Your AWS account will remain accessible for a short time, and then it will be permanently closed.
What Happens After Termination?
After you terminate your AWS account:
- AWS will retain your data for a few days, then delete it permanently
- Billing will stop
- You cannot recover deleted services
- You won’t be able to open a new AWS account with the same email unless allowed
If you ever wish to return, you’ll need to create a brand new AWS account.
Common Issues When Trying to Terminate AWS Account
Sometimes, users face problems even after learning how to terminate AWS account. Here are some common problems:
- Active resources in different regions
- Pending Marketplace subscriptions
- Non-root user trying to close account
- Outstanding charges not cleared
Make sure these are all resolved before you confirm account closure.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to terminate AWS account properly ensures you’re not paying for services you no longer use. Whether you’re switching providers, testing temporarily, or just want to clean up old accounts, following the correct steps saves you time and money. Always terminate carefully and responsibly to keep your digital footprint clean.