Yes, you can unlink your bank account from PayPal at any time
You can disconnect a bank account from your PayPal account in about two minutes through your account settings. PayPal does not charge a fee to unlink, and the process does not close your PayPal account—only the connection between PayPal and that specific bank. You can unlink even if you have a pending transaction, though PayPal may hold the funds briefly while it processes the disconnection.
The steps are the same whether you linked the account for sending money, receiving deposits, or as a backup payment method. Once unlinked, PayPal can no longer pull money from that account or deposit money into it, but your PayPal balance (if you have one) stays in your PayPal wallet.
Key Takeaways
- Unlinking takes two minutes and happens through the Wallet section of your PayPal account settings, not through your bank.
- You can unlink a bank account even if a payment is pending, though PayPal may delay processing the disconnection until the transaction clears.
- Unlinking does not close your PayPal account or affect your PayPal balance—only the connection to that specific bank is removed.
- If you have a pending direct deposit from PayPal to that bank account, contact PayPal support before unlinking to confirm the deposit will still go through.
How to unlink a bank account through PayPal's website
Log into your PayPal account on a computer or mobile browser. Click the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings, then select Wallet from the left menu. You will see a list of all linked payment methods—bank accounts, debit cards, and credit cards.
Find the bank account you want to remove and click on it. A details panel will open showing the account number (usually masked as the last four digits), the bank name, and the account type. At the bottom of this panel, click Remove or Unlink (the exact wording varies by region). PayPal will ask you to confirm the removal. Click Yes or Confirm, and the account is unlinked immediately.
If you do not see a Remove button, the account may be your primary payment method or may have a hold on it. In that case, you may need to set a different payment method as primary first, or contact PayPal support if the button does not appear after refreshing the page.
Unlinking through the PayPal mobile app
Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Select Settings, then tap Wallet. Scroll to find the bank account you want to remove and tap it to open the details.
Tap Remove or Unlink at the bottom of the screen. Confirm the removal when prompted. The account will be unlinked immediately, and you will return to your Wallet list.
What happens to pending transactions when you unlink
If you unlink a bank account while a payment is being processed to or from that account, PayPal will complete the transaction as planned. Unlinking does not stop a payment that is already in motion—it only prevents new transactions from using that account going forward.
If you have set up a direct deposit from PayPal (for example, from selling items or receiving a PayPal Cash withdrawal), unlink the account only after the deposit has cleared. If you unlink before the deposit arrives, PayPal may not be able to complete the transfer. Contact PayPal support before unlinking if you are expecting a deposit within the next few days.
Why you might unlink a bank account
The most common reason is switching banks. When you open a new account at a different bank, you can unlink the old one and link the new one without closing your PayPal account. This takes a few minutes and keeps your PayPal history and balance intact.
You might also unlink for security reasons—if you suspect fraud, want to reduce the number of accounts connected to PayPal, or are no longer using a particular bank. Unlinking removes PayPal's access to that account, so even if your PayPal account is compromised, the old bank account cannot be used to pull funds.
Some people unlink temporarily if they are having trouble with a payment method. If a transaction keeps failing, unlinking and relinking the account sometimes resolves the issue by forcing PayPal to re-verify the connection.
What you need to do at your bank
You do not need to do anything at your bank to unlink from PayPal. The disconnection happens only on PayPal's side. Your bank account itself is not affected, and you can still use the account normally for all other purposes.
However, if you are concerned about PayPal having access to your account information, you can contact your bank and ask them to revoke PayPal's permissions. Most banks allow you to manage third-party access through their online banking portal or by calling customer service. This is optional—unlinking through PayPal is usually sufficient.
Relinking the same bank account later
If you unlink a bank account and then want to reconnect it, you can do so at any time. Go back to Wallet in your PayPal settings and select Link a Bank Account. Enter the routing number and account number, and PayPal will verify the connection (usually within one to two business days).
If you unlinked because of a failed transaction or error, relinking may resolve the issue. However, if the account was linked for more than a few months, PayPal may require you to re-verify your identity before relinking, depending on your account history and activity level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will unlinking my bank account close my PayPal account?
No. Unlinking only removes the connection to that specific bank account. Your PayPal account, balance, and transaction history remain active. You can continue to use PayPal with other payment methods or by linking a different bank account.
Can I unlink a bank account if I have money pending?
Yes, but be careful with deposits. If PayPal is sending money to that account, unlink only after the deposit clears. If you are sending money from that account, the transaction will complete as planned even after you unlink. Contact PayPal support if you are unsure whether a transfer is still in progress.
Do I need to tell my bank when I unlink from PayPal?
No, you do not need to notify your bank. The unlinking happens on PayPal's end only. Your bank account continues to work normally. If you want to revoke PayPal's access at the bank level for extra security, you can do so through your bank's settings, but it is not required.
What if the Remove button does not appear?
The button may be hidden if the account is set as your primary payment method. Try setting a different payment method as primary first, then return to unlink the account. If the button still does not appear, refresh the page or try again on a different device. Contact PayPal support if the issue persists.
Can I unlink a bank account that has a failed payment on it?
Yes. A failed payment does not prevent you from unlinking. However, if the failure was due to insufficient funds or an error, PayPal may retry the charge after you unlink. Check your PayPal activity to see if the transaction is marked as failed or pending before unlinking.