Remove a bank account by going to Wallet settings, selecting the account, and choosing Delete
Open PayPal on desktop or mobile, go to Wallet, find the bank account you want to remove, and tap or click the three dots next to it. Select Delete or Remove. PayPal will ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, the account is disconnected from your PayPal profile immediately — you cannot reverse this action, so make sure you are removing the right account.
If you cannot find the account in Wallet, it may already be removed, or it may be listed under a different section. Some older accounts appear under Bank Accounts instead of Wallet. The steps are the same: locate it, open the menu, and delete.
Removing a bank account does not close your PayPal account or affect any money already in your PayPal balance. It only stops PayPal from being able to pull money from or send money to that specific bank.
Key Takeaways
- You can remove a bank account from PayPal in under a minute through the Wallet or Bank Accounts section on your profile.
- Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone, so verify you are removing the correct account before confirming.
- Removing a bank account does not affect your PayPal balance, transaction history, or your ability to use PayPal with other payment methods.
- If you have pending transfers to or from that bank account, complete or cancel them before removing the account to avoid payment delays.
- You can add a different bank account to PayPal at any time after removing one.
Why you might need to remove a bank account
You may want to remove a bank account if you closed that account at your bank, switched to a different bank, or no longer want PayPal to have access to it. Some people remove old accounts to keep their PayPal profile clean, or because they are concerned about security and want to limit the number of linked accounts.
If your bank account information has changed — for example, your routing number or account number — you cannot edit it directly in PayPal. Instead, you must delete the old account and add the new one. This also applies if you moved to a different bank entirely.
What happens to pending transfers when you remove an account
If you have money scheduled to transfer from PayPal to that bank account, the transfer may fail once the account is removed. PayPal will attempt to complete transfers that are already in progress, but if the account is no longer active at your bank, the money will bounce back to your PayPal balance within 3 to 5 business days.
Before you remove a bank account, check your Activity or Transactions page to see if any transfers are pending. If there are, wait for them to complete or cancel them manually. This prevents your money from getting stuck in a failed transfer.
If a transfer does fail and the money returns to PayPal, you will see a notification. You can then add a different bank account and transfer the money again.
Steps to remove a bank account on mobile
On the PayPal mobile app, tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Scroll down and tap Wallet. Find the bank account you want to remove and tap it. Tap the three dots or Edit button, then select Delete or Remove. Confirm when PayPal asks you to verify.
If you are using an older version of the PayPal app, the menu layout may be slightly different. Look for Settings or Profile instead of Wallet, then find Bank Accounts. The deletion process is the same.
Steps to remove a bank account on desktop
Log into PayPal.com on your computer. Click your name or profile icon in the top right corner and select Account Settings. On the left side, click Wallet or Bank Accounts. Find the account you want to remove and click the three dots next to it. Click Delete or Remove, then confirm your choice.
After you confirm, the page will refresh and the account will no longer appear in your list. If you accidentally deleted the wrong account, you will need to add it back manually by entering your routing number and account number again.
Adding a new bank account after removal
Once you remove a bank account, you can add a new one immediately. Go back to Wallet or Bank Accounts and click Add a Bank Account or Link a Bank. Enter your bank's name, your account number, and your routing number. PayPal will verify the account by sending two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to your bank within 1 to 2 business days.
You will need to confirm those deposits by logging into your bank account and telling PayPal the amounts. Once confirmed, the new account is active and you can transfer money to or from it. The verification step is required every time you add a new bank account to PayPal.
What to do if you cannot find the account to delete
If you cannot locate the bank account in your Wallet, it may have already been removed, or it may be stored in a different section of your account. Check Bank Accounts separately from Wallet — PayPal sometimes lists them in different places depending on when the account was added.
If you still cannot find it, contact PayPal Support through the Help section on the website or app. Provide them with the last four digits of the account or the bank name, and they can confirm whether it is still linked and remove it for you if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing a bank account close my PayPal account?
No. Removing a bank account only disconnects that one bank from your PayPal profile. Your PayPal account, your balance, and your transaction history all remain intact. You can still use PayPal with other payment methods like credit cards or your PayPal balance.
Can I undo a bank account deletion?
No, deletion is permanent. However, you can add the same bank account back to PayPal at any time by re-entering your routing number and account number. You will need to go through the verification process again, which takes 1 to 2 business days.
What if my bank account was compromised and I need to remove it urgently?
Remove it through Wallet or Bank Accounts as described above — the deletion is immediate. Then contact your bank directly to report the compromise and ask them to monitor the account. If you believe someone used your PayPal account fraudulently, report it to PayPal Support and they can review your transaction history.
Will removing my bank account affect my credit score?
No. Removing a bank account from PayPal has no effect on your credit score. Your credit is only affected by loans, credit cards, and payment history — not by which payment methods you link to digital wallets.
Can I remove a bank account if I have a PayPal Credit line?
Yes. Removing a bank account does not affect PayPal Credit or any other PayPal products. However, if you use that bank account to make payments on your PayPal Credit balance, you will need to set up a different payment method before removing it.