How to Cancel A DoorDash Order As A Dasher

Platforms like DoorDash have created opportunities for many to earn income and support their livelihoods. Dashers—those who complete numerous deliveries each day—are vital to DoorDash’s success, but they also need the flexibility to take breaks and decline orders when necessary. If you’re new to DoorDash as a Dasher and unsure about how to cancel an order, don’t worry; it’s a straightforward process, and I’m here to guide you.

You can also unassign a DoorDash order, and the process is quick and easy, as explained below. Dashers are independent contractors who pick up orders from restaurants, grocery stores, and other retailers, ensuring customers receive their deliveries accurately and on time.

This guide will help you navigate the cancellation process as a Dasher. Before you proceed, make sure to review the important pointers that outline the terms, policies, and prerequisites for a smooth cancellation. Additionally, I’ll explain how to unassign a DoorDash order in case that option works better for you.

Important Things to Know Before Cancelling an Order

Before canceling an order as a Dasher, remember that frequent cancellations can hurt your acceptance rate and performance metrics. Be prepared to provide a reason for the cancellation, and consider resolving any issues directly with the restaurant or customer first. Maintaining good communication is key to ensuring a smooth experience for everyone involved.

Before canceling a DoorDash order, consider the following points:

1. Impact on Your Dasher Metrics

• Acceptance Rate: Canceling an order after accepting it affects your acceptance rate, which reflects the percentage of orders you accept compared to those offered. A lower acceptance rate can limit your access to high-value orders and special opportunities.
  
• Completion Rate: Your completion rate measures the percentage of accepted orders that you successfully deliver. Frequent cancellations can lower this rate, and if it drops below a certain threshold, it may result in deactivation from the platform.
  
• Customer Rating: While cancellations don’t directly impact your customer rating, frequent cancellations can influence your overall performance as perceived by DoorDash, potentially affecting your standing and opportunities within the app.

2. Timing of the Cancellation

• Before Picking Up the Order: It’s generally advisable to cancel before you’ve picked up the order. Unassigning at this stage helps avoid delays in delivery, preventing a negative experience for the customer and reducing the likelihood of low ratings or complaints for DoorDash.
  
• During Peak Hours: Canceling during peak hours, such as lunch or dinner rush, can significantly impact the customer experience. Frequent cancellations at these times can delay finding another Dasher, leading to longer wait times and potentially harming the restaurant’s reputation.

3. Reasons for Unassigning

• Restaurant Issues: If a restaurant is taking longer than usual or there are problems with the order, canceling might be necessary. However, it’s advisable to contact support to report the issue before deciding to unassign.
  
• Personal Emergencies: In the event of a personal emergency, unassigning the order as soon as possible is crucial. Your well-being should always come first.
  
• Avoiding Repeated Cancellations: Frequent cancellations can negatively affect your standing with DoorDash. If you find yourself needing to cancel often, consider reassessing your schedule or delivery areas to minimize conflicts and improve your performance.

4. Communicate with DoorDash Support

• Reporting Issues: If you experience problems like long wait times at the restaurant or unclear delivery instructions, it’s best to contact DoorDash support before canceling on your own. They may provide alternatives, solutions, or authorize the cancellation without negatively affecting your metrics.
  
• Cancellation Support: If the unassignment option isn’t available or you encounter technical issues, DoorDash support can assist by manually canceling the order or unassigning you. This ensures that the process is handled correctly and minimizes any impact on your performance.

5. Bonuses and Incentives

• Qualifying for Bonuses: Canceling an order can affect your eligibility for bonuses or promotions. DoorDash sometimes offers rewards for completing a set number of deliveries, and unassigning may disqualify you from these incentives.

Can I Cancel a DoorDash Order Anytime?

Yes, you can cancel a DoorDash order at any time as a Dasher. However, frequent cancellations can negatively impact your acceptance rate and performance metrics. It’s best to cancel only when necessary and to communicate any issues clearly to maintain a good relationship with customers and DoorDash.

How to Cancel a DoorDash Order as a Dasher

If you need to cancel an accepted order as a Dasher, simply open the DoorDash app and go to the “Current Orders” section. Select the order you want to cancel, tap on the “Cancel Order” or “Unassign” option, choose a reason from the list, and confirm the cancellation. This quick process helps you manage your deliveries efficiently.

Here are the easy steps to cancel an order using the DoorDash app:

Steps to Cancel a DoorDash Order:

1. Open the DoorDash App: Start by opening the DoorDash Dasher app on your phone.
   
2. Go to the Order Details:
   • If you’re on the order screen, access the details directly.
   • If not, tap on the “Orders” tab at the bottom to view your current orders.
     
3. Select the Order: Tap on the order you want to cancel to view more details.
   
4. Click on the “Help” Option:
   • On the order details screen, find the “Help” option, usually located in the upper right corner or in the menu.
     
5. Choose “Can’t do this order”:
   • In the help options, look for “Can’t do this order” or “Cancel order.”
   • Select this option to start the cancellation process.
     
6. Confirm the Cancellation:
   • You may be asked to confirm that you want to cancel the delivery. Confirm your decision, and the order will be removed from your queue.
   • Sometimes, you might need to provide a reason for the cancellation, like issues with the restaurant or personal reasons.

How to Unassign a DoorDash Order as a Dasher

To unassign an order as a Dasher, open the DoorDash app and navigate to the “Current Orders” section. Select the order you wish to unassign, tap on the “Unassign” option, choose a reason from the list, and confirm the unassignment. This process helps you manage your deliveries efficiently while maintaining your performance metrics.

If you want to unassign yourself from a DoorDash order instead of canceling it, follow these steps:

Points to Know Before Unassigning:

• ou don’t need to contact support to unassign an order if you haven’t picked it up yet; this can be done directly in the app.
  
• However, if you’ve already marked the order as picked up, you won’t be able to unassign it through the app and will need to reach out to support instead.
  
• Keep in mind that unassigning an order after acceptance will still impact your Completion Rate, even if you contact support. To avoid any negative effects on your metrics, it’s always best to decline an order when it’s first offered if you don’t want to take it.

Steps to Unassign from a DoorDash Order:

1. Open the Dasher App: Launch the DoorDash Dasher app on your smartphone.
   
2. Access the Order Details: If you see the order on your main screen, tap on it to view the details. If not, go to the “Orders” tab to find the order you want to unassign from.
   
3. Tap the “Help” Option: In the order details screen, look for the “Help” button, usually found in the upper right corner.
   
4. Select “Can’t do this order”: In the help menu, choose the option that says “Can’t do this order” or “Unassign this delivery.”
   
5. Choose a Reason for Unassigning: You’ll be prompted to select a reason for unassigning. Common reasons include issues with the restaurant or a personal emergency. Pick the one that fits your situation best.
   
6. Confirm Unassignment: After choosing a reason, confirm that you want to unassign yourself from the order. Once confirmed, the order will be removed from your queue and made available for another Dasher.

If you’re already at the restaurant, the steps are slightly different:

• Tap “?” in the top right corner of the app.
• Select “I have an issue.”
• Choose the most accurate option from the list.
• Tap “Unassign with no pay.”

How to Schedule a DoorDash Order as a Dasher

Scheduling your deliveries can help you avoid frequent cancellations or unassignments that might negatively impact your profile. Here’s how to schedule a Dash:

Scheduling Tips:

• If you can’t find a city or time that works for you to schedule a Dash, it means DoorDash has enough Dashers available in your preferred area at that time. You can check back later, as additional time slots may open up.
  
• You can also sign in to the app anytime to see if “Dash Now” is available. If it’s not showing, it indicates that the maximum number of Dashers is already on the road in that area, so you may need to try again later.
  
• Keep in mind that if you have a Dash already scheduled, you won’t be able to schedule a new Dash or extend your current one within 30 minutes of the scheduled start time. This allows you time to get to your designated area.
  
• Additionally, DoorDash Support cannot schedule, edit, or extend your Dash for you. The app updates in real time, so you can easily make these changes yourself.

Steps to Schedule a Dash:

1. Open the Schedule Tab: Launch the Dasher app and navigate to the Schedule tab. If the “Dash Now” button displays “Schedule a Dash,” you can schedule directly from there.
   
2. Select a Day: In the Available tab, you’ll see the upcoming days of the week at the top. Choose the day you want to schedule your Dash.
   
3. Choose Starting Point and Times: Select a starting point and check for available times for your Dash. If your preferred time isn’t available, it means DoorDash has reached its capacity for that slot. The schedule updates frequently, so try checking back later or select a different starting point.
   
4. Pick Your Dash: Once you find a Dash that suits your schedule, tap on it to choose your desired start and end times within the available timeframe.
   
5. Save Your Dash: Finally, tap “Save Dash” to confirm your schedule for that area, day, and time. You’re all set to Dash!

How to Delete or Edit a Scheduled Dash

There may be times when you need to delete or edit the start and/or end times for your scheduled Dash. Here’s how to do it within the app:

If you need to delete or edit your scheduled Dash, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Schedule page.
2. Tap on the day you’ve scheduled a Dash.
3. Tap on the Scheduled tab.
4. Scroll through the times and tap on the Dash you’d like to delete or edit.

• To delete, tap on Delete in the top right corner.
  
• To edit the start or end time, tap on the time, choose your new time, click Done, and then Save Dash.

How to Track a DoorDash Order as a Dasher

As a Dasher, you can track a DoorDash order by accessing the order details in the Dasher app. Simply go to the “Current Orders” section, select the order, and view its status and navigation information to stay updated on the delivery.

Tracking a delivery is straightforward. Here’s how:

1. You can track a delivery using the Drive Portal. If you don’t have access to the Portal, reach out to your account manager for assistance.
   
2. To track active deliveries, go to the Active Orders page.
   
3. Click on the order you want to track.
   
4. You’ll be taken to a page with order details and a live map to track the Dasher’s status.

Conclusion

DoorDash provides a flexible way to earn money while studying or managing another part-time job. If you’re new and unsure about the cancellation process, don’t worry—it won’t significantly affect your efficiency as a Dasher. However, frequent cancellations or unassignments can impact your profile and scorecard. While DoorDash has a support system in place, cancellations during peak hours may lead to delays in deliveries. It’s essential to make thoughtful decisions and consider the potential implications and outcomes of your actions.

FAQ’s

How to Find Orders on Dasher?

To find orders on Dasher, open the Dasher app and navigate to the “Current Orders” section. Here, you’ll see any active orders that are ready for pickup. You can also check the “Upcoming Orders” tab for scheduled deliveries. If you’re looking for more details about a specific order, simply tap on it to view the information.

How Do I Change My Delivery on DoorDash?

To change your delivery on DoorDash, open the app and go to the “Orders” tab to select the order you want to modify. If options to edit the delivery address or instructions are available, make your changes there. If not, contact DoorDash support for assistance, and try to make changes as early as possible.

How Do I Change My DoorDash Order?

To change your DoorDash order, you typically need to contact the restaurant directly or DoorDash support. You can also check the app for any options to modify your order before it’s prepared. However, once the order is confirmed and the restaurant begins preparing it, changes may not be possible. Always try to make adjustments as soon as possible for the best chance of success.