Last checked: 26 June 2026.
If your subscription cancellation code not working issue is causing airtime deductions, content-service charges, or WASP billing, do not keep guessing codes. First confirm the affected network, dial from the SIM that is being billed, and use the provider’s verified cancellation route. If the USSD menu does not open, times out, or shows no active subscriptions while airtime keeps disappearing, move to the app, website, customer care, or WASP complaint route instead.
For the main cancellation steps, start with cancel subscription USSD code South Africa. If the charge looks like a WASP or content-service subscription, also check stop WASP subscriptions and report WASP subscription.
Quick Fixes to Try First
| What is happening | What it may mean | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| The code does not open | Poor signal, wrong network, restricted SIM, or temporary USSD failure | Move to a stronger signal area, restart the phone, and retry once |
| The menu opens but closes | USSD session timeout or network issue | Try again later or use the provider app instead |
| The code says no active subscriptions | The charge may be from another billing route, app store, Add to Bill service, or direct carrier billing | Check the provider app, recent SMS messages, and account billing details |
| Airtime still disappears after cancellation | The service may not have been cancelled, or a different service may still be active | Save evidence and escalate to the network or WASPA |
| The code belongs to another network | USSD cancellation routes are network-specific | Use the correct provider guide below |
A proper cancellation should give you some form of confirmation, such as an on-screen result, SMS, or app confirmation. Vodacom’s content-services page, for example, says customers receive an SMS confirmation after cancelling selected content services through its content-services route. (Vodacom)
Why This USSD Problem Happens
A subscription cancellation code can fail for several reasons. The most common one is that the code is being dialled from the wrong SIM or wrong network. Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, and Telkom use different content-service and subscription-management routes, so a code that works on one network will not normally cancel services on another network.
The second reason is that the service may not be a normal WASP subscription. Some charges come through content services, direct carrier billing, app-store subscriptions, network entertainment products, or Add to Bill services. WASPA explains that premium-rated services can be charged to a prepaid airtime balance or a monthly phone bill, and that subscription services bill users regularly until they unsubscribe. (waspa.org.za)
The third reason is a temporary USSD problem. USSD can fail when signal is weak, the network is busy, the phone session times out, the SIM has account restrictions, or the menu path has changed. If the same error repeats, stop retrying and use the provider app, website, or customer-care route.
The fourth reason is that the cancellation instruction may be linked to the original service message. WASPA says subscription reminders should include instructions for terminating the service, and users should not ignore reminder messages if they no longer want the service. (waspa.org.za)
Provider-Specific Checks
Vodacom subscription cancellation code not working
Vodacom lists *135*997# as the route to view and cancel content services being charged to a Vodacom account. Vodacom says users can dial *135*997#, reply 1 to view charged content services, select a specific service and reply STOP, or reply 2 to stop all content services. Vodacom also lists reply 3 as the route to block future content-service purchases and subscriptions. (Vodacom)
If Vodacom *135*997# not working is your issue:
- Make sure you are dialling from the Vodacom SIM that is losing airtime.
- Type the code carefully: *135*997#.
- Choose the option to view existing content services.
- Cancel the specific service or choose the stop-all option if you want to stop all listed content services.
- Wait for the confirmation SMS.
- If the USSD route fails again, check the VodaPay app or contact Vodacom customer care.
For the dedicated page, use Vodacom subscription cancellation code.
MTN subscription cancellation code not working
MTN’s help page says customers can view and cancel content and subscription services by dialling *155#. (MTN) WASPA’s consumer guidance also lists MTN content-service management via *141*5#, with Content Services and Manage Content Services options, and lists *155# for blocking premium-rated service charges. (waspa.org.za)
If MTN *155# not working is your issue:
- Dial from the MTN SIM that is being billed.
- Try *155# for the MTN cancellation or blocking route.
- If you are checking active content services, also verify the current *141*5# content-services path before publishing or relying on it.
- Cancel any listed service and wait for confirmation.
- If no service appears but deductions continue, check the MTN app, recent SMS messages, and customer-care route.
For the dedicated page, use MTN subscription cancellation code.
Cell C subscription cancellation code not working
WASPA’s consumer support page lists *133*1# as a Cell C route to block existing and future content billing. (waspa.org.za) Cell C’s own Bonang by Cell C service page also lists unsubscribe options for that specific service, including SMS STOP to 14720, *133*101#, and *133*1# followed by Opt Out, selecting Bonang by Cell C, and confirming. (Cell C)
If Cell C *133*1# not working is your issue:
- Confirm that the affected SIM is a Cell C SIM.
- Try the current Cell C content-billing route from the affected phone.
- If the service appears in the menu, select it and confirm the opt-out.
- If the charge is linked to a specific app or service, check the original SMS or app instructions.
- If the route fails or the service is not listed, contact Cell C support or escalate the WASP billing issue.
For the dedicated page, use Cell C subscription cancellation code.
Telkom subscription cancellation route
For Telkom users, do not assume that a Vodacom, MTN, or Cell C code will work. WASPA’s consumer guidance says Telkom users can block WASP subscriptions through the Telkom app under My Products > Manage > Protect Your Mobile Number, and manage premium content subscriptions under My Products > Subscriptions > Content Services. It also lists dialling 180 and following the prompts as an alternative route. (waspa.org.za)
If a Telkom USSD or app route does not show the service, use Telkom customer care and provide evidence of the charge, including dates, SMS messages, and balance changes.
When to Use an App, Website, or Customer Care Instead
Use an app, website, or customer-care route when the subscription cancellation code does not open, the USSD menu times out, the menu says there are no active services, or airtime keeps disappearing after cancellation.
Follow this safe process:
- Confirm the affected number. Check which SIM is actually losing airtime or being billed. Subscription and WASP cancellation usually needs to be done from the affected mobile number.
- Check recent messages. Look for welcome messages, reminder messages, service names, short codes, pricing, and unsubscribe instructions. WASPA says subscription services bill users regularly and that users need to unsubscribe for billing to stop. (waspa.org.za)
- Use the verified provider route. Do not use a random code from an old forum post. Use the Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, or Telkom route that matches the SIM being billed.
- Wait for confirmation. A cancellation is not complete just because the USSD session closed. Look for an SMS, app confirmation, or on-screen message that names the cancelled service.
- Take screenshots. Save the USSD error, active services screen, SMS messages, airtime balance before and after, and the date and time of each attempt.
- Contact the network. If billing continues, use mobile network customer care numbers and ask the provider to identify the billing source.
- Escalate WASP billing if needed. WASPA provides a form for users who are being charged for WASP services without permission, and says it will try to make sure the services being charged are cancelled based on the information provided. (waspa.org.za)
Never share your banking PIN, mobile banking password, card PIN, OTP, ID document, or app login details through an unknown link, WhatsApp number, or social-media inbox. A legitimate subscription cancellation route should not need your banking OTP.
Common Errors
“Connection problem or invalid MMI code”
This usually means the phone could not complete the USSD request. Check signal, restart the phone, confirm the code, and try again from the affected SIM. If it still fails, move to the app or customer-care route.
“Service unavailable”
The USSD platform may be temporarily unavailable. Do not assume the service is cancelled. Try later or use the provider’s app.
“No active subscriptions found”
This may mean there are no active content services on that network menu, but it does not prove there are no other recurring charges. Check app-store subscriptions, direct carrier billing, Add to Bill services, and recent SMS billing messages.
“Session timed out”
USSD sessions close quickly. Start again only if you can read each step clearly. If the session keeps timing out before confirmation, use the app, website, or customer-care route.
“Request failed”
Take a screenshot and stop repeated attempts. Repeated failed sessions can make it harder to explain the timeline when you escalate the issue.
Related Guides
For the main cancellation route, use cancel subscription USSD code South Africa.
If the issue looks like content-service or WASP billing, use stop WASP subscriptions and report WASP subscription.
For provider-specific cancellation help, use Vodacom subscription cancellation code, MTN subscription cancellation code, and Cell C subscription cancellation code.
If you need to speak to the network, use mobile network customer care numbers.
FAQs
Why is my subscription cancellation code not working?
The code may be for the wrong network, the wrong SIM may be used, the USSD menu may be temporarily unavailable, or the charge may come from a different billing route such as an app, direct carrier billing, or Add to Bill service. Confirm the network first, then use the provider-specific route.
Does this mean the code has changed?
Not always. A failed USSD session can happen because of weak signal, timeout, SIM restrictions, account issues, or network downtime. However, cancellation menus can change, so verify the current route with the network before publishing or relying on it.
Can I fix it without calling customer care?
Yes, in many cases. Try the verified USSD route from the affected SIM, then check the provider app or website. If you cannot get a cancellation confirmation, or airtime keeps disappearing, contact customer care.
Should I use the app instead of USSD?
Use the app when the USSD code fails, when the session times out, or when the service is not shown in the USSD menu. Provider apps may show content services, billing settings, or subscription controls that are easier to review than a short USSD session.
How can users check whether a subscription is active?
Use the network’s content-services menu, mobile app, or customer-care route. Also check recent SMS messages for service names, pricing, reminder messages, and unsubscribe instructions.
What should users do if airtime is still disappearing after cancellation?
Keep the cancellation confirmation, take screenshots of balance changes, and contact the network with the date, time, service name, short code, and amount deducted. If it appears to be WASP billing without permission, use the WASPA unwanted-billing route.
Can users block future content-service subscriptions?
Some networks provide blocking options. Vodacom lists *135*997# reply 3 as a way to block future content-service purchases and subscriptions, while WASPA lists Cell C, MTN, Telkom, and Vodacom blocking or management routes on its losing-airtime support page. Always verify the current route for the user’s network before publishing. (Vodacom)
Can users get a refund for unwanted subscription charges?
A refund is not guaranteed. The safest route is to keep evidence and report the issue to the network or WASPA. Do not promise a refund, reversal, or immediate cancellation unless the network or WASP confirms it in writing.
Where should users report suspicious subscription messages?
Report suspicious or unwanted billing to the mobile network first. If the issue involves WASP services without permission, WASPA provides an unwanted-billing form. If the message looks like spam or a scam, do not click links or share personal details. (waspa.org.za)
