Where to find and change your payment method
Open the Klarna app or go to klarna.com and sign into your account. Tap or click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner of the app, or the hamburger menu at the top left of the website. Select Payment methods or Saved payment methods — the exact wording depends on whether you're on mobile or desktop.
You'll see a list of every card, bank account, and digital wallet you've connected to Klarna. The payment method marked as default is what Klarna will charge first when a payment comes due. To change which one is default, tap or click the method you want to use going forward, then select Set as default or Make primary.
If you want to add a completely new payment method instead of switching between existing ones, look for an Add payment method or + Add card button on the same screen. Klarna accepts debit cards, credit cards, and bank accounts linked through Plaid.
Key Takeaways
- Your default payment method is the one Klarna charges first when a payment is due, and you can change it anytime from the Payment methods section of your account.
- Changing your default payment method does not affect payments you've already scheduled — only future charges will use the new method.
- You can add a new card or bank account without removing old ones, and Klarna will keep all of them on file until you delete them.
- If a payment fails on your default method, Klarna will try your other saved methods in the order you've set them, so having a backup is useful.
What happens to payments already scheduled
Changing your default payment method does not retroactively change how Klarna will pay for orders you've already split into installments. If you bought something last week and set up a four-payment plan, Klarna will still charge the payment method you had selected at the time of purchase — even if you've since changed your default.
To change the payment method for an order that's already in progress, go to Purchases or Orders in your account, find the specific order, and look for an option to Edit payment method or Change payment. Not all orders allow this — if the first payment has already been processed, you may not be able to switch. But if the payment is still pending, you usually can.
Removing a payment method you no longer use
If you want to delete an old card or bank account from Klarna, go back to Payment methods, find the one you want to remove, and tap or click the three dots or trash icon next to it. Select Delete or Remove. Klarna will ask you to confirm.
You cannot delete your default payment method while it's still set as default — you have to switch to a different default first, then delete the old one. If you only have one payment method on file and try to delete it, Klarna will prompt you to add a new one before the deletion goes through.
When a payment fails on your chosen method
If Klarna tries to charge your default payment method and the charge is declined or fails, Klarna will automatically attempt to charge any other payment methods you have saved, in the order you've listed them. This is called payment retry or fallback payment. You don't have to do anything — Klarna handles it behind the scenes.
If all your saved methods fail, Klarna will send you a notification asking you to update your payment information. You then have a window (usually several days) to add a working payment method or update an existing one before Klarna reports the missed payment to the credit bureaus or takes further action. The exact timeline depends on your account status and the size of the payment.
Adding a bank account instead of a card
Klarna lets you link a checking or savings account directly instead of using a card. To add a bank account, go to Payment methods, tap Add payment method, and select Bank account. Klarna uses Plaid to connect securely — you'll enter your bank's login credentials in a Plaid window, not directly into Klarna.
Once your bank account is linked, you can set it as your default just like a card. Klarna will pull funds from your account on the payment due date. Bank account payments typically process as ACH transfers, which take one to three business days to clear. If you're close to a due date and want the payment to post immediately, a debit or credit card may be faster.
Updating a card that's about to expire
If you have a card saved in Klarna and it's expiring soon, you don't have to wait for a payment to fail. Go to Payment methods, find the expiring card, and tap or click it. You should see an option to Update card or Edit. Enter the new expiration date and CVV. If your card issuer sent you a replacement card with a different number, you'll need to delete the old card and add the new one as a separate payment method.
Klarna may also send you a notification when it detects that a card on file is expiring. Tap the link in that notification to update it directly from the message.
Troubleshooting payment method changes that don't stick
If you change your default payment method but Klarna keeps charging the old one, first check that you actually completed the change. Go back to Payment methods and confirm which one is marked as default. If the wrong one is still showing as default, try the change again.
If the change went through but an old payment method is still being charged, it's possible that payment was already queued before you made the change. Klarna processes payments on a schedule tied to your purchase date, not the date you change your settings. Check your Purchases or Orders section to see if that specific order allows you to edit the payment method. If it does, update it there. If you've been charged by mistake, contact Klarna support through the app or website to request a refund or reversal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different payment method for each Klarna order?
No. Klarna uses your default payment method for all orders unless you manually change the payment method for a specific order before the first payment is processed. Once a payment schedule starts, you'd need to edit that individual order to switch methods.
What if my new payment method gets declined?
Klarna will try your other saved payment methods in order. If all of them fail, you'll receive a notification to update your payment information. You have several days to add a working method or update an existing one before the missed payment affects your account.
Do I have to remove my old card before adding a new one?
No. You can keep as many payment methods on file as you want. Klarna will only charge whichever one you've set as default, unless that one fails and it falls back to your backup methods.
Will changing my payment method affect my Klarna credit limit?
No. Your Klarna credit limit is based on your payment history and credit profile, not on which payment method you use. Changing payment methods has no effect on how much you can borrow.
Can I change my payment method on the Klarna website if I usually use the app?
Yes. Your payment methods are synced across the Klarna app and website. A change you make on one will show up on the other within a few minutes.