How to close your PayPal account
To close your PayPal account, log in, go to Settings, select Account, then Resolution Center, and click Close Account. PayPal will ask you to confirm and may require you to resolve any outstanding transactions first. The account closes immediately, but PayPal keeps your records for up to seven years for tax and fraud purposes.
Before you close, make sure your account balance is zero — transfer any remaining money to your bank account or request a refund. If you have active subscriptions or recurring payments set up through PayPal, cancel those first or they may fail and create disputes. Any pending transactions, holds, or unresolved cases will block the closure until they are settled.
Once closed, you cannot reopen the same account. If you want to use PayPal again later, you will need to create a new account with the same or a different email address. Closed accounts cannot receive payments, refunds, or transfers.
Key Takeaways
- Your PayPal account closes immediately after you confirm, but you cannot reopen it under the same email address.
- You must have a zero balance and no pending transactions, holds, or disputes before PayPal will let you close.
- Cancel any subscriptions or recurring payments linked to your PayPal account before closing to avoid failed charges.
- PayPal retains your account records for up to seven years even after closure, for tax reporting and fraud investigation.
- If you close your account and later want to use PayPal, you will need to create a brand new account.
Check your account balance and pending transactions
Log into your PayPal account and go to your Wallet. If you have money sitting in your account, transfer it to your linked bank account or request a check. PayPal will not let you close an account with a balance, and leaving money behind means you lose access to it once the account is gone.
Next, check the Activity section for any transactions that are still processing, on hold, or waiting for action. Look for pending refunds you requested, payments you sent that are not yet delivered, or money you received that is still under review. If you have an active seller account, make sure all orders are complete and no chargebacks or disputes are open.
Go to your Subscriptions & Automatic Payments page and turn off any recurring charges — gym memberships, streaming services, software subscriptions, or anything else that bills you monthly or yearly through PayPal. If you leave these active and then close your account, the charges will fail and create disputes with the merchants.
Resolve any holds, disputes, or seller issues
If PayPal has placed a hold on your account — usually because of unusual activity, a chargeback, or a dispute — you cannot close until the hold is lifted. Contact PayPal Support through the Resolution Center to find out why the hold is there and what you need to do to clear it. Holds typically last 24 hours to several days depending on the reason.
If you are a seller or have received payments as a business, check for any open cases, chargebacks, or refund requests. PayPal will not close an account with active seller disputes. Respond to any claims or provide evidence if needed, or wait for the case to close on its own (usually 180 days from the transaction date).
If you have a negative balance — meaning you owe PayPal money — you must pay it back before closing. This can happen if a chargeback was filed against you, a refund was issued after you withdrew the money, or a payment you sent was reversed. PayPal will tell you the amount owed and how to pay it.
Navigate to the account closure page
Log into your PayPal account on the website or app. On the website, click the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings. On the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Settings.
Select Account from the menu. Scroll down and look for the Resolution Center or Account Closure option — the exact wording varies depending on your account type and region. Click it to open the closure page.
PayPal will show you a summary of your account status and ask you to confirm that you want to close. It will remind you that the closure is permanent and that you cannot reopen the same account. Read through the confirmation message, then click the button to proceed.
Confirm closure and understand what happens next
After you confirm, PayPal closes your account immediately. You will receive a confirmation email at the address associated with your account. Your account will no longer appear in your PayPal login history, and you cannot log back in.
Any money owed to you by PayPal — such as a refund or a reversal in your favor — will be sent to the bank account you had linked. This can take 3 to 5 business days. If you did not have a bank account linked, PayPal may send a check, which takes 1 to 2 weeks.
Merchants and other users will no longer be able to send you payments to that account. If someone tries to send you money, the payment will fail or be returned to them. Your transaction history remains visible to you for a limited time after closure, but you cannot dispute or modify past transactions.
What to do if you want to use PayPal again later
If you close your account and later decide you want to use PayPal, you will need to create a new account. You can use the same email address you used before, but PayPal may flag it as a reactivation attempt and ask you to verify your identity again.
To create a new account, go to PayPal.com, click Sign Up, and follow the steps to link a bank account or debit card. You will need to provide your name, address, phone number, and email. If you are creating an account with the same email as your closed account, PayPal may ask additional security questions or require you to verify your identity through a phone call or document upload.
Your old transaction history will not transfer to the new account. You can still view your closed account's history by logging in with your old credentials for a limited time after closure, but you cannot access it through the new account.
Reasons to close your account and alternatives
People close PayPal accounts for different reasons: they no longer use digital payments, they prefer another service, they have had a dispute with PayPal, or they want to reduce the number of accounts they maintain. Before you close, consider whether you might need it again — closing is permanent, and reopening requires a new account setup.
If you are closing because of a specific problem — a dispute, a hold, or a fee — contact PayPal Support first to see if the issue can be resolved. Sometimes what feels like a reason to leave can be fixed with a phone call or a clarification.
If you are closing because you prefer another payment service, keep in mind that some merchants and services only accept PayPal. You may want to keep the account inactive rather than close it, so you can reactivate it if needed. An inactive account does not cost anything and does not require you to log in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen my PayPal account after I close it?
No, you cannot reopen the same account. If you want to use PayPal again, you must create a new account. You can use the same email address, but PayPal may ask you to verify your identity again. Your old transaction history will not transfer to the new account.
What happens to my money if I close my account?
Any balance in your account must be transferred to a linked bank account or requested as a check before you close. If you have money sitting in your account when you try to close, PayPal will not let you proceed. Money owed to you by PayPal (refunds or reversals) will be sent to your bank account within 3 to 5 business days.
Will closing my PayPal account affect my credit score?
No, closing a PayPal account does not affect your credit score. PayPal is not a credit provider, and account closure is not reported to credit bureaus. However, if you have an outstanding balance or unpaid dispute, PayPal may send it to collections, which would affect your credit.
What if I have a pending refund when I close my account?
If you have requested a refund but it has not been processed yet, you must wait for it to complete before closing. Pending refunds can take 3 to 5 business days. Once the refund is in your account, transfer it to your bank account, then close. If you close before the refund arrives, you may lose access to it.
Can I close my account if I have an active seller account?
You can close a seller account, but only after all orders are complete and no disputes or chargebacks are open. If you have active listings or pending transactions, you must resolve them first. PayPal may hold your account for up to 180 days if there are open cases.