What happens when you delete your PayPal account
Deleting your PayPal account closes it permanently and removes your access to send money, receive payments, and view transaction history. PayPal will deactivate your login within a few minutes, though the account itself stays in their system for record-keeping. You cannot reopen a deleted account under the same email address — if you want to use PayPal again later, you will need to create a new account with a different email.
Before you delete, PayPal requires your account to be in good standing: no pending transactions, no open disputes, no outstanding balance, and no money held for any reason. If you have a balance (even a few cents), you must withdraw it first. If you have an active dispute or a chargeback in progress, you cannot delete until it resolves.
Deletion is different from deactivation. A deactivated account can be reactivated if you log back in within a set period. Deletion is permanent and immediate once you confirm it.
Key Takeaways
- Your account must have a zero balance and no pending transactions, disputes, or holds before PayPal will let you delete it.
- You delete your account through the Settings menu under Account Information, not through a separate support form.
- Once you confirm deletion, your login stops working within minutes, but PayPal keeps records of the account for their own compliance.
- You cannot use the same email address to create a new PayPal account after deletion — you will need a different email if you return to PayPal later.
- If you have an active dispute, chargeback, or money on hold, you must wait for those to resolve before you can delete.
Check your account balance and pending activity first
Log into PayPal and go to your Wallet. If you have any money in your account — even $0.01 — you must withdraw it before deletion. Transfer the balance to your linked bank account or debit card. This usually takes one to three business days, depending on your bank.
While you are in your account, check for any pending transactions. Look at your Activity or Transaction History for any payment that shows "Pending" or "Processing". Wait for these to complete or cancel them if you sent them. You also cannot delete if you have an open dispute with a buyer or seller, or if PayPal is holding money for any reason (such as a reserve on a business account or a hold due to suspicious activity).
If you have a PayPal Credit line or PayPal Working Capital loan, you must pay off the balance in full before deletion. You cannot delete an account with outstanding debt.
Delete through Account Settings
Once your account is clear, log into PayPal and click the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings. Select Account Information. Scroll down to find the Close Your Account section — the exact wording varies slightly, but it will say something like "Close Account" or "Delete Account".
Click that option. PayPal will ask you to confirm that you understand the account will be permanently closed and that you cannot reopen it. You will also see a reminder that you cannot use the same email to create a new account. Read the confirmation carefully, then click the final confirmation button.
Your account will close within minutes. You will be logged out, and any attempt to log back in will fail. PayPal will send a confirmation email to the address on file.
What to do if you cannot delete yet
If PayPal blocks your deletion attempt, the message will tell you why. The most common reasons are a pending balance, an active dispute, or a transaction still processing. Resolve each one before trying again.
If you have a dispute open with a buyer or seller, wait for PayPal's Resolution Center to close it. This can take up to 180 days from the date the dispute was filed, though most resolve in two to four weeks. You cannot delete while a dispute is active.
If PayPal is holding money due to suspicious activity or a reserve, contact PayPal Support through the Help Center. Explain that you want to close your account and ask what needs to happen for the hold to be released. They may ask you to verify your identity or provide documentation. Once the hold is lifted, you can proceed with deletion.
Alternatives to deletion if you want to stop using PayPal
If you do not want to delete but simply do not want to use PayPal anymore, you can deactivate your account instead. A deactivated account keeps your transaction history and can be reactivated if you log back in. This is useful if you think you might return to PayPal in the future.
You can also remove your linked bank accounts and debit cards without closing the account. This prevents PayPal from pulling money from your bank, though your account will still exist and you can log in. If you are concerned about security, removing your payment methods is often enough.
If you want to stop receiving money through PayPal, you can remove your email from the system or ask senders to use a different method. You do not have to delete the entire account to do this.
What happens to your transaction history after deletion
PayPal keeps records of all transactions for their own compliance and legal requirements, even after you delete your account. You will not be able to view your history through PayPal anymore, but the company retains it. If you need records of past transactions for tax or legal reasons, download your transaction history before you delete.
To download your history, go to Settings, then Account Information, and look for a Download My Data or Export Data option. PayPal will send you a file with your transaction records. Do this before you delete, because you will not be able to access this information afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my PayPal account if I have a pending payment?
No. Any payment that is still processing or pending must complete or be canceled before you can delete. Wait for the transaction to finish, or contact the recipient and ask them to cancel it. Once all pending activity is cleared, you can proceed with deletion.
What if I deleted my account by mistake?
PayPal does not reopen deleted accounts. You will need to create a new account with a different email address. If you had money in the account at the time of deletion, contact PayPal Support immediately to ask about recovering it, though this is not always possible depending on how the account was closed.
Can I use the same email address for a new PayPal account after deletion?
No. PayPal permanently ties the email to the deleted account. You must use a different email address to create a new account. This can take several months to clear in their system, so it is safer to assume you cannot reuse the email at all.
Do I need to contact PayPal Support to delete my account?
No. You can delete through Settings without calling or emailing support. However, if your account is flagged, restricted, or has a hold on it, you will need to contact support first to resolve the issue before deletion is allowed.
Will deleting my PayPal account affect my credit score?
No. Closing a PayPal account does not show up on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. If you have a PayPal Credit line or loan, paying it off before deletion will not hurt your credit either.