How to Switch Internet Providers in 2026

Slow speeds. A bill that somehow keeps climbing. A customer service call that took an hour and solved nothing. At some point, these things stop being annoying and start being reasons to look around. And the good news is that changing your internet provider is a lot less complicated than most people expect. You don’t need to be tech-savvy. You just need to follow the steps in the right order. 

Switching internet providers means signing up with a new provider before canceling your current service, scheduling installation, then ending your old account and returning any equipment. Done correctly, the whole process takes two to 14 days, and you won’t lose internet access for a single day. EarthLink has been helping people do exactly that since the early days of home internet, and the process is simpler than ever. 

Quick Summary: Switching Internet Providers 

• Sign up with your new provider before canceling your old one. This prevents any gap in service. 

• Check for early termination fees before you contact your current provider. 

• Most switches take 2 to 14 days, depending on installation type. 

What to Know Before You Switch Internet Providers 

Before you cancel, spend a few minutes preparing for the switch. A little effort now can save you much trouble later. 

Check Your Current Contract First 

Log in to your account or find your original service agreement. Check these three things: your contract end date, whether you have a month-to-month or annual plan, and the early termination fee (ETF) if you cancel early. 

ETFs vary quite a bit by provider. Here is what the major ISPs typically charge: 

• Provider 

• ETF Amount 

• Contract Type 

Many fiber and fixed wireless providers no longer require contracts. If you signed up in recent years, you might already be on a month-to-month plan. Check your account before assuming you owe a fee. 

Know What You Want in a New Provider 

Before you compare plans, think about what you need. A home with two remote workers and heavy streamers needs more than someone who just browses and checks email. 

Consider the following: 

1. Speed: 200 to 300 Mbps is enough for most households. If 4 or more people work, game, or stream simultaneously, consider 500 Mbps or higher. 
2. Contract terms: Month-to-month is usually worth choosing, even if slightly more expensive, because it offers flexibility. 
3. Equipment costs: Ask if the router is included or rented. A $15/month equipment fee adds $180 a year to your bill. 
4. Promotional pricing: Find out the standard rate after the promo ends. A plan advertised at $49.99/month may jump to $79.99 after 12 months. 
5. Installation timeframe: Self-install kits arrive in 3 to 5 days. Technician installs for fiber can take 1 to 2 weeks to schedule. 
6. Data caps: Some providers throttle your speeds or charge overage fees once you hit a monthly limit. EarthLink fiber plans have no data caps, so your bill stays the same whether you stream a little or a lot. 
7. Rate consistency: Ask what the price is after any promotional period ends, and whether the rate is locked. EarthLink fiber plans don’t use teaser rates, so the price you sign up for is the price you pay. 
8. Credit check: Some providers run a hard credit inquiry before approving service, which can be a barrier for renters or anyone rebuilding their credit. EarthLink does not require a credit check to sign up. 

 Check What Technologies Are Available at Your Address 

Not every type of internet is available in every area. The type of internet you choose will determine the speed you get and the reliability of the connection. Here is a quick overview of connection types: 

1. Fiber: The best option where it’s available. It features symmetrical upload and download speeds, stability and reliability, and future growth potential. Availability is growing but still limited in many areas, especially rural areas. 
2. Cable: The most widely available high-speed option in urban and suburban markets. Download speeds are competitive, but upload performance can suffer during peak hours due to shared neighborhood infrastructure. A reliable fallback when fiber isn’t in the picture yet. 
3. 5G Home Internet: An increasingly competitive alternative to cable, especially for renters and budget-conscious households. EarthLink wireless 5G home internet is easy to install and doesn’t require a contract. Speeds and reliability vary based on tower proximity and local network congestion. 
4. Fixed Wireless: A solid middle-ground option in suburban and rural areas where fiber hasn’t reached yet. Service is delivered via radio signals from a nearby tower, so a clear line of sight matters. Speeds have improved significantly in recent years, though weather and distance can still affect performance. 
5. Satellite: The option of last resort for remote locations where no other broadband service is available. Starlink has raised the bar considerably with lower latency and faster speeds than legacy satellite providers. Equipment costs are higher upfront, and heavy users may experience latency in real-time applications such as video calls or gaming. 

Not sure if your current connection type is the problem? 11 signs it might be time to upgrade.“ 

How to Switch Internet Providers 

Whether you’re switching at your current address or heading to a new one, the process is essentially the same. Follow these steps in order, and you’ll avoid the most common pitfalls. 

Step 1: Research and Order Your New Provider First 

The most important step is to order your new service before canceling your old one. Don’t wait until after you cancel your existing provider; set up the new connection first. This way, your new connection will be active before your old one ends, so you will not have downtime. You might pay for both services for a week or two, but that is better than being without internet while waiting for installation. 

When you sign up with a new provider, ask these questions up front: 

• What is the installation timeline? 
• Is this a self-install, or does a technician need to come? 
• What is the price after the promotional period? 
• Are there data caps? 
• Can I bring my own modem or router? 

Try to have your new service set up at least a week before you cancel the old one. If there is a delay, this buffer will help you avoid losing internet access. 

Step 2: Review and Understand Your ETF 

If you are still under contract, now is the time to figure out exactly what you owe. ETFs come in two forms: 

• Flat fee: You pay a fixed amount regardless of how much time is left on your contract. 

• Prorated fee: You pay a fee based on remaining months. For example, if your ETF is $10 per remaining month and you have 8 months left, you owe $80. 

Before you pay, check if you might qualify for a waiver. You usually do not have to pay an ETF if: 

1. You are relocating to an area the provider does not serve 
2. The provider has raised your rates without notice since you signed (check your state’s consumer protection rules on this) 
3. You have documented ongoing service failures, like repeated outages or speeds that consistently miss the advertised threshold 

If you have had service problems, gather proof before you call. Download your outage history, run speed tests and save the results, and note any support tickets. Having this information gives you leverage to ask for a fee waiver or reduction. 

Also worth checking: some new providers offer contract buyout credits to help you switch. Ask if your new provider offers ETF reimbursement before you sign up. 

Step 3: Sign up with your new provider before canceling your old service 

This is the most important sequencing rule when switching internet providers: activate your new service first. Canceling before your new connection is live is the most common mistake — it leaves you without internet for days or longer. 

Most providers let you complete sign-up entirely online. You’ll choose a plan, choose tech installation or self-install, and schedule a start date. Self-install kits typically arrive within a few days; professional installation can take three to ten business days. You’ll also decide whether to rent equipment from your new provider or use your own compatible modem and router. 

Plan for one to three days of overlap between services. Yes, you’ll pay for both briefly, but avoiding a gap is worth it, especially if you work from home or have students in the house. Once your new service is confirmed active, you’re ready to cancel your old one. 

When you call to cancel, the representative will try to keep you as a customer. And this step can be confusing because each ISP has a different process. Some let you cancel online, while others require a phone call and make it harder.  

If you have already chosen a new provider, you do not have to stay. Be prepared for counter offers or promotions. Compare them to your new service and decide if it’s worth switching. 

When you do cancel, ask for a confirmation number and request it by email. If they cannot email it, write it down. You may need it if there is a billing issue later. 

Step 4: Manage the Overlap Window 

You will probably pay for both internet services for a week or two. It may seem annoying but is a smart way to stay connected during the switch. 

A few ways to minimize the cost of the overlap: 

1. Check if your current provider prorates your final bill. Many do, so you only pay for the days you used the service instead of a full extra month. 
2. Try not to cancel at the start of a billing cycle. If your provider prorates, canceling in the middle of the cycle is usually cheaper than paying for a whole month. 
3. If your new installation is delayed and you are already past your cancellation date, a mobile hotspot from your phone plan can cover the gap for a day or two. 

Step 5: Return Equipment on Time 

Many people lose money here without realizing it. If you forget to return leased equipment or miss the deadline, your ISP will charge you, and the fees can be high. 

Typical unreturned equipment fees: 

1. Modem or gateway: $100 to $200 
2. Cable box or streaming device: $50 to $150 
3. Router: $50 to $100 

Most providers give you up to 30 days to return equipment after you cancel. Here is how to do it properly: 

1. Get a tracking number and save it. If your provider claims they never received the equipment, you need proof. 
2. Take photos of everything before you pack it up: the equipment itself, the serial numbers, and the sealed box. 
3. Keep your tracking confirmation and return receipt for at least six months after your account closes. 

Step 6: Review Your Final Bill and Confirm Account Closure 

Read your final bill carefully. Check for any charges you did not expect, like fees for unreturned equipment, surprise ETFs, or service charges after your cancellation date. 

If you see charges that should not be there, dispute them in writing by email or through your account portal. Having a written record makes it easier if you need to follow up later. 

Before you are done, make sure your account is fully closed. Get a written or confirmation by email with a reference number. Check your credit card or bank statement 30 days later to be sure there are no surprise charges. 

How to Switch Internet Providers Without Losing Service 

The key to an easy switch is having your new service running before you cancel the old one. If you do this, you will not lose any internet time. 

That said, things occasionally go wrong. Here is what to do if they do: 

1. New installation gets delayed past your cancellation date: Call your old provider and ask for a temporary extension before the account closes. Most will accommodate a short delay, especially if you explain the situation. 
2. Your new provider cannot install for two weeks, and your old contract is already cancelled: Your smartphone’s mobile hotspot can get you through until the new service is set up. Most major carriers offer hotspot data, and for a short gap, it is workable for most remote workers. 
3. You are in an area with strong 5G coverage: EarthLink wireless 5G home internet is a self-install product that can arrive and be activated within a few days, making them great bridge options. 

What Happens to Your Email When You Switch ISPs? 

If you use an email address from your ISP, you will lose your email address and access to it when you cancel. Some providers give you 30 to 90 days of email access after you cancel, but some give more time and others less. In all likelihood, you will lose access to your emails, so we recommend doing the following before you switch ISPs: 

1. Set up a free, provider-independent email account through Gmail, Outlook, or a similar service. 
2. Update your email address on important accounts, like your banking, subscriptions, Amazon, insurance, and anything that involves billing and resetting passwords. 
3. Set up a forwarding rule in your ISP email so anything that comes in after you switch gets forwarded to your new address. 
4. Notify your contacts about your new email address. 

It takes a few hours to update your email everywhere, but it’s worth it. It can be frustrating to lose access to emails associated with any financial, healthcare, or insurance accounts. 

Early Termination Fees: What They Cost and How to Avoid Them 

An early termination fee is what your provider charges if you cancel before your contract ends. Not all providers use them, and many have stopped, but if you signed an annual contract, check what applies to you. 

Prorated vs. Flat ETFs 

Providers use two types of ETFs. A flat ETF is a set amount, no matter how much time is left. A prorated ETF gets smaller as your contract nears the end. For example, if it is $10 per month and you have 6 months left, you owe $60. With 2 months left, you owe $20. 

Always ask your provider which type of ETF applies to your account. 

When ETFs Do Not Apply 

1. You are on a month-to-month plan 
2. Your original contract has already expired 
3. You are moving to an area where your provider does not offer service 
4. Your provider raised your rates mid-contract without adequate notice (this varies by state) 
5. You have documented, unresolved service failures 

How to Document Service Failures for a Fee Waiver 

If your ISP has not delivered good service, you might be able to leave without paying a fee. Here is how to prepare your case: 

1. Run regular speed tests using a wired connection and save the results. Speeds that are consistently well below your advertised plan are evidence. 
2. Pull your outage history from your user portal or request it from customer support. 
3. Keep a log of support ticket numbers and the dates you opened them. 
4. When you call to cancel, reference these records and ask specifically whether service failure qualifies you for an ETF waiver. 

Not sure how to run or read a speed test? Here’s how to do it right, and what results actually mean for your service agreement. 

For a full breakdown of what each major provider charges, see our ISP early termination fee guide.

Ready to Find a Better Internet Provider? 

Switching internet providers isn’t complicated when you follow the steps in order. Check your contract, sign up with a new provider before canceling your current one, manage the brief overlap window, and return your equipment on time. That’s the whole process. 

If you’re ready to see what’s available at your address, EarthLink offers reliable, nationwide coverage at a price you’ll love—no credit check required. Also, reach out to our internet experts today at 844-582-9983.