Remove a bank account in three steps
Go to your PayPal account settings, find the bank account you want to remove, and delete it. The account stays in your PayPal wallet until you actively take it out — it does not disappear on its own. PayPal will not let you remove a bank account if money is currently pending to or from it, so wait for any transfers to finish first.
The process takes less than a minute once you are logged in. You can remove a bank account at any time, even if it is your only payment method on file. PayPal will ask you to confirm the deletion, but there is no waiting period or reversal process — once you confirm, the account is gone from your PayPal wallet.
Key Takeaways
- Log into PayPal, go to Wallet or Settings, find your bank accounts, and click the delete or remove option next to the account you want to take out.
- You cannot remove a bank account while a transfer is in progress — wait for pending money to arrive or leave your PayPal balance first.
- Removing an account from PayPal does not close the bank account itself or affect your bank in any way.
- If you remove your only payment method, you will need to add a new one before you can send money or make purchases through PayPal.
Where to find your bank accounts in PayPal settings
Open PayPal and log in with your email and password. Click the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings. From there, select Wallet (on mobile, this may be labeled "Payment Methods"). You will see a list of all payment methods linked to your account — bank accounts, debit cards, credit cards, and any other funding sources.
Look for the bank account you want to remove. PayPal shows the last four digits of the account number and the name of the bank. If you have multiple bank accounts linked, make sure you are looking at the right one before you delete it. Click on the account to open its details.
The delete or remove button and what happens next
Once you open the bank account details, look for a Delete, Remove, or three-dot menu icon. The exact wording depends on whether you are using PayPal on a computer or phone, but the button is always near the account information. Click it.
PayPal will ask you to confirm that you want to remove this account. Read the confirmation message — it will tell you if there are any pending transfers or holds on the account. If there are, you cannot remove it yet. If there are not, click Confirm or Yes to finish. The account is then removed from your PayPal wallet immediately.
Why PayPal will not let you remove a bank account
PayPal blocks removal if money is moving to or from that account. This includes transfers you sent that have not arrived yet, money PayPal is about to send you, or holds placed by PayPal while it verifies the account. You will see an error message that explains why the account cannot be deleted.
Wait for the transfer to complete. If you sent money to the account, it usually arrives within one to three business days. If PayPal is sending money to you, wait for it to land in your PayPal balance first. Once the transfer is done, go back to your bank account settings and try removing it again. The option will be available.
What removing a bank account does and does not do
Removing a bank account from PayPal only removes it from your PayPal wallet. It does not close your actual bank account, freeze it, or notify your bank in any way. Your bank account continues to work normally for all other purposes — you can still use your debit card, write checks, or set up direct deposits.
PayPal also does not cancel any automatic payments or subscriptions tied to that account. If you have a recurring payment set up through that bank account, you need to cancel the subscription separately in PayPal before you remove the account. Otherwise, the payment may fail when it tries to process, and you could face late fees or service interruptions.
What to do if you need to add a new payment method first
If the bank account you are removing is your only way to send money or make purchases, add a replacement payment method before you delete it. You can add a debit card, credit card, or another bank account. Go to Wallet, click Add a card or bank account, and follow the prompts.
For a bank account, PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number. You can find these on a check, your bank's website, or by calling your bank. PayPal may place two small deposits in the account to verify it is yours — this usually takes one to two business days. Once verified, you can use the account to send money or fund purchases. Then you can safely remove the old account.
Removing a bank account linked to a PayPal Credit line
If your bank account is linked to a PayPal Credit account (PayPal's buy-now-pay-later product), removing the bank account does not close the credit line. However, PayPal may need a backup payment method to collect payments on your credit balance. Before you remove the account, make sure you have another card or bank account on file.
If you do not have a backup method, add one before removing the account. This prevents your PayPal Credit payments from failing. You can manage your PayPal Credit settings in the same Wallet section where you remove bank accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a bank account if I have a negative balance in PayPal?
No. If your PayPal balance is negative (you owe PayPal money), you cannot remove any bank account until the balance is paid. PayPal holds the account as a way to collect the debt. Pay the negative balance first, then remove the account.
What if I forgot which bank account I linked to PayPal?
Go to Wallet and look at the last four digits shown for each account. Call your bank or log into your online banking to match those digits to the correct account. Once you identify it, you can remove it. If you are not sure, contact PayPal support with your bank name and they can help you confirm which account is linked.
Does removing a bank account affect my credit score?
No. Removing a bank account from PayPal has no effect on your credit score. Your bank account itself is not closed, and PayPal does not report this action to credit bureaus. Your credit is only affected if you have an unpaid PayPal Credit balance or if PayPal sends an unpaid debt to a collection agency.
Can I remove a bank account and add it back later?
Yes. You can remove a bank account and re-add it whenever you want. When you add it back, PayPal may ask you to verify it again with the two small deposits, depending on how long it has been. The process is the same as adding any new bank account.
What happens to recurring payments if I remove the bank account?
Recurring payments do not automatically switch to a different payment method. If a subscription or automatic payment is set to charge that bank account, it will fail when the next payment is due. Cancel the subscription in PayPal before you remove the account, or update the subscription to use a different payment method.