How to tell if Bank of America's website is actually down
Bank of America's website goes down for maintenance or technical problems regularly, but that does not always mean the outage is widespread. Your connection might be the problem instead. Before you assume the bank's systems are down, test your own internet: open a different website in your browser — Google, your email, a news site — and see if it loads. If other sites work fine but BofA does not, the outage is likely on their end.
If you cannot reach the Bank of America website from multiple devices on the same network, check the Bank of America status page at bankofamerica.com/status. This page shows real-time updates about outages, maintenance windows, and which services are affected — online banking, mobile app, ATM network, or payment processing. The status page updates faster than social media or customer service lines.
You can also check third-party outage trackers like Downdetector or IsItDown.com, which collect reports from users across the country. These sites show whether the outage is nationwide or limited to your region, and they display a timeline of when the problem started. A spike in user reports within the last hour usually means an active outage; older reports suggest the issue has been resolved.
Key Takeaways
- Test your own internet connection first by loading a different website, because the problem is often local, not a Bank of America outage.
- Bank of America's official status page at bankofamerica.com/status shows which services are down and when maintenance is scheduled.
- Third-party trackers like Downdetector show whether an outage is affecting your region or the entire country.
- If the website is down but you need to access your account, use the Bank of America mobile app, call customer service at 1-800-432-1000, or visit a branch in person.
- Scheduled maintenance windows are usually announced in advance on the status page and typically last a few hours, usually overnight.
What to do if the website is down and you need to access your account
If Bank of America's website is down but you need to check your balance, make a payment, or transfer money, try the mobile app first. The app and the website run on separate systems, so one can be down while the other works. Download the Bank of America app from your phone's app store, log in with your username and password, and you should have access to most of the same functions as the website.
If both the website and app are down, call Bank of America's customer service line at 1-800-432-1000. A representative can help you check your balance, authorize a payment, or transfer money over the phone. Have your account number and a form of identification ready. This route takes longer than online banking but works during any outage.
For urgent payments or transfers, visit a Bank of America branch in person. You can make deposits, withdrawals, and transfers at any branch, and staff can help you with account questions. Use the branch locator at bankofamerica.com to find the nearest location and confirm it is open.
Why Bank of America's website goes down
Bank of America performs scheduled maintenance on its systems regularly, usually during nights and weekends when fewer customers are banking online. These windows are announced in advance on the status page. Scheduled maintenance typically lasts two to four hours and affects all users equally.
Unscheduled outages happen when technical problems occur — server failures, network issues, or software bugs. These are unpredictable and can last anywhere from minutes to several hours. During major outages, Bank of America's customer service lines get overwhelmed with calls, so you may experience long wait times if you call.
Cyberattacks and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks can also take down banking websites, though Bank of America's security systems are designed to detect and stop these quickly. If an outage is caused by a security incident, the bank will usually post a notice on the status page.
How long outages typically last
Scheduled maintenance windows usually last between two and four hours. Bank of America typically schedules these during off-peak times — late evening, early morning, or weekends — to minimize disruption. The status page shows the expected duration before maintenance begins.
Unscheduled outages vary widely. Minor technical glitches might resolve in minutes; more serious problems can take hours. During a major outage in 2022, Bank of America's systems were down for roughly four hours. There is no way to predict how long an unscheduled outage will last, but the status page updates as the bank works to restore service.
What happens to transactions during an outage
Transactions you initiate during an outage may not go through immediately. If you try to transfer money or pay a bill while the website is down, the request might be queued and processed once the system comes back online. Check your account after the outage ends to confirm the transaction went through.
Transactions that were already in progress before the outage started usually complete normally. Bank of America's payment systems and ATM network sometimes stay operational even when the website is down, because they run on separate infrastructure. You may be able to withdraw cash from an ATM or use your debit card at a store even if you cannot log into your account online.
If you are unsure whether a transaction went through, wait until the website is back up, log in, and check your transaction history. If a payment did not process and you need it to go through urgently, call customer service or visit a branch.
Preventing problems when the website is down
Set up automatic bill payments for recurring expenses like utilities, insurance, and loan payments. If the website is down when a payment is due, automatic payments still process on schedule because they are handled by the bank's payment processing system, not the website. You can set up autopay through the website or by calling customer service.
Keep the Bank of America mobile app installed and updated on your phone. The app is often more stable than the website during outages and gives you a backup way to access your account. Enable biometric login (fingerprint or face recognition) so you can get into your account quickly if you forget your password.
Save Bank of America's customer service number — 1-800-432-1000 — in your phone contacts. If you need to reach the bank during an outage and the website is not working, you will have the number readily available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if it is my internet or Bank of America's website?
Open a different website — Google, your email, or a news site — in the same browser. If that site loads but Bank of America does not, the outage is on their end. If no websites load, your internet connection is the problem. Restart your router and try again.
Can I still use my debit card if the website is down?
Yes. Your debit card works independently of the website because it connects to the payment network, not the bank's website. You can swipe or tap your card at stores and withdraw cash from ATMs during a website outage.
Will I be charged fees if I miss a payment because the website was down?
Bank of America typically does not charge late fees for payments missed due to a documented outage on their end. If you miss a payment during an outage, contact customer service and explain what happened. Keep a screenshot of the status page showing the outage as proof.
What should I do if the website is down and I need to dispute a transaction?
Call customer service at 1-800-432-1000 to report the disputed transaction. A representative can start the dispute process over the phone. You can also file a dispute through the mobile app if it is working. Once the website is back up, you can follow up online or through the app.
Does Bank of America notify customers before scheduled maintenance?
Bank of America posts scheduled maintenance windows on the status page at bankofamerica.com/status several days in advance. You can also sign up for email notifications about outages and maintenance through your account settings, though this requires the website to be working to set up.