Close your PayPal account by going to Settings, selecting Account, then Deactivate Account
To close your PayPal account, log in to your account on the PayPal website or app, go to Settings (the gear icon), select Account, then find and click Deactivate Account. PayPal will ask you to confirm your decision and may ask why you're leaving. After you confirm, your account will be deactivated within a few minutes. You won't be able to send or receive money, and your account information will no longer be visible to other users.
Before you deactivate, make sure your account balance is zero. If you have money in your PayPal wallet, transfer it to your linked bank account first. If you have an outstanding balance (money you owe PayPal), you must pay it before closing. PayPal will not let you deactivate an account with a negative balance.
Once your account is closed, you cannot reopen it. If you think you might use PayPal again in the future, consider simply not using the account instead of deactivating it. You can always log back in later if you change your mind.
Key Takeaways
- You must have a zero balance in your PayPal wallet before you can deactivate your account; transfer any remaining money to your bank account first.
- Deactivation happens through Settings > Account > Deactivate Account and takes effect within minutes.
- A closed PayPal account cannot be reopened, so you cannot use that email address to create a new PayPal account later.
- If you owe PayPal money, you must pay the full balance before the account can be closed.
- Leaving your account inactive instead of closing it lets you return to it later without losing your transaction history.
What happens to your money and transaction history
Any money in your PayPal balance must be withdrawn to your linked bank account before you close the account. This transfer typically takes one to three business days, depending on your bank. If you have pending transactions (money that is on its way to you or that you sent to someone else), wait for those to complete before deactivating.
Your transaction history remains on PayPal's servers after your account closes, but you won't be able to access it through your account. If you need a record of your transactions for tax or legal reasons, download or screenshot your transaction history before you close the account. PayPal does not send transaction records to closed accounts.
Linked cards, bank accounts, and subscriptions
When you deactivate your account, PayPal automatically disconnects all linked bank accounts and credit or debit cards. Any active subscriptions or recurring payments you set up through PayPal will stop. If you have a subscription to a service (like a streaming app or software) that charges through PayPal, that service will no longer be able to take payments from you after your account closes.
If you want to keep a subscription active, update the payment method in that service's settings before you close PayPal. Switch to a credit card, debit card, or bank account linked directly to the service instead of going through PayPal.
If you have a PayPal Business account
Closing a PayPal Business account follows the same steps as a personal account, but the consequences are broader. If you use PayPal to accept payments from customers, closing the account will stop all incoming payments immediately. Any invoices you've sent through PayPal will no longer be payable through that link.
If you sell through a platform like eBay or Shopify that uses PayPal for payments, closing your PayPal account will break that connection. You'll need to set up a different payment method in those platforms before you close PayPal, or you'll stop receiving customer payments.
Download all your business transaction records, invoices, and customer information before closing. PayPal keeps the data, but you won't be able to access it once the account is gone.
Reasons to deactivate versus reasons to keep an inactive account
Close your account if you no longer need PayPal and don't plan to use it again. Deactivation is permanent—you cannot reopen a closed account or use that email address to create a new one. If you think you might send money to a friend or receive a payment in the future, leaving the account inactive costs you nothing and keeps your options open.
An inactive account takes up no space, costs nothing to maintain, and doesn't affect your credit. PayPal doesn't charge fees for unused accounts. The only reason to formally close is if you want to completely sever your relationship with PayPal or if you're concerned about data privacy.
What to do if you can't deactivate your account
If the Deactivate Account option doesn't appear in your Settings, your account may have a hold on it. This usually happens if PayPal suspects fraud, if you have an outstanding balance, or if you're involved in a dispute. Contact PayPal's Resolution Center to check for open disputes, or call PayPal customer service to ask why deactivation is blocked.
If you have a negative balance (you owe PayPal money), you must pay it in full before the account can close. PayPal will tell you the amount owed and the payment deadline. Once you pay, the deactivation option should become available within 24 hours.
If you're locked out of your account entirely and can't log in, use PayPal's account recovery tool to regain access. You'll need to verify your identity using your email address, phone number, or security questions. Once you're back in, you can proceed with deactivation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen my PayPal account after I close it?
No. Once you deactivate your account, it cannot be reopened. You also cannot use that email address to create a new PayPal account. If you think you might need PayPal later, leave your account inactive instead of closing it.
What happens to money I sent to someone if I close my account?
Money you already sent stays with the recipient. If you sent a payment and the recipient hasn't claimed it yet, they can still claim it after your account closes. Your account closure doesn't reverse completed transactions.
Will closing PayPal affect my credit score?
No. PayPal is not a credit card company and does not report account closures to credit bureaus. Closing your PayPal account has no impact on your credit score or credit history.
Do I need to close my account if I'm not using it?
No. An inactive PayPal account costs nothing and doesn't harm you. Close it only if you're certain you won't need it again, since closure is permanent and you can't reuse the email address.
What if I have a PayPal Credit line or PayPal Working Capital loan?
You must pay off any outstanding balance on a PayPal Credit line or loan before you can close your account. Contact PayPal to confirm the payoff amount and deadline. Once the balance is zero, you can proceed with deactivation.