In May 1945, the Royal Navy decided to assign "Essington" to duty with the British Pacific Fleet, which required her to receive new communications equipment for her anticipated duties. Her refit to install the equipment began in June 1945 and was still in progress when the armistice with Japan of 15 August 1945 brought World War II to a close and prompted the termination of her refit and cancellation of her transfer to the Pacific. She returned to Belfast that month.