You can remove a bank account from PayPal in your account settings, and it takes about two minutes
Log into PayPal on a computer or phone, go to Wallet, find the bank account you want to remove, and select the option to delete it. PayPal will ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, the account is gone from your wallet immediately — you won't be able to use it to send or receive money through PayPal anymore, but the actual bank account itself stays open and unaffected.
The process is the same whether you added the account years ago or just linked it last week. You don't need to contact PayPal support unless something goes wrong during the deletion, like an error message that won't clear.
Key Takeaways
- Removing a bank account from PayPal takes two to three minutes and happens instantly in your account settings.
- Deleting the account from PayPal does not close your actual bank account or affect your banking relationship.
- You can re-add the same bank account to PayPal later if you change your mind.
- If you have a pending transfer to or from that bank account, complete or cancel it before removing the account.
- PayPal keeps a record of the deletion but does not require a reason or explanation.
Step-by-step removal on desktop or mobile
On a computer: Log into your PayPal account, click Wallet in the top menu, find the bank account listed under "Linked bank accounts," click the three dots or menu icon next to it, and select Remove. PayPal will ask "Are you sure?" — click Yes, remove it. The account disappears from your wallet within seconds.
On a phone: Open the PayPal app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), go to Wallet, scroll to the bank account, swipe left on it (iPhone) or press and hold it (Android), and tap Remove. Confirm when prompted. The removal is instant.
If you don't see a Remove option, the account may be in use for a scheduled or pending transfer. Wait for that transfer to complete or cancel it first, then try again.
What happens to money in transit when you delete an account
If you have a transfer already in progress to or from that bank account, removing it from PayPal will not stop the transfer. Money that has already left PayPal and is on its way to your bank will arrive normally. Money that is scheduled to transfer but hasn't left PayPal yet may fail if you delete the account before the transfer completes.
Before you delete, check your Activity or Transactions page for any pending transfers involving that account. If one is there, either wait for it to finish or cancel it. Once the account is removed, PayPal can no longer send money to it, so a pending transfer will bounce back to your PayPal balance.
Why you might want to remove a bank account
Common reasons include closing the bank account itself (though you should do that through your bank, not PayPal), switching to a different bank, removing an old account you no longer use, or cleaning up your wallet after a security concern. If you suspect fraud or unauthorized access, removing the account is a quick first step, but also change your PayPal password and review your recent transactions.
If the bank account is compromised, you may also want to contact your bank directly to report it and ask them to monitor for unauthorized charges. PayPal's removal only stops PayPal from using it — it does not protect the account from activity outside PayPal.
Re-adding the same bank account later
You can add the same bank account back to PayPal at any time. Go to Wallet, click Link a bank account, enter the routing number and account number, and follow the verification steps. PayPal will send two small deposits to the account (usually within one to two business days) and ask you to confirm the amounts to prove you own it.
If you deleted the account recently, PayPal may remember it and skip some verification steps, or it may treat it as a brand-new link. Either way, the process is straightforward and takes a few minutes once the verification deposits arrive.
Removing a bank account does not close it
Deleting a bank account from PayPal is not the same as closing the account at your bank. Your actual bank account stays open, your money stays in it, and your debit card (if you have one) keeps working. PayPal simply stops having permission to move money in or out of it.
If you want to actually close the bank account, you need to contact your bank directly. They will walk you through their process, which usually involves confirming your identity, waiting for any pending transactions to clear, and signing paperwork or authorizing the closure online.
Troubleshooting if the removal won't go through
If you tap or click Remove and nothing happens, or you see an error message, try these steps: refresh the page or close and reopen the app, make sure you are logged into the correct PayPal account, and check that there are no pending transfers to or from that account. If the problem persists, log out, clear your browser cache or app cache, and log back in.
If you still cannot remove the account after trying these steps, contact PayPal support through the Help section in your account. Have your account email and the last four digits of the bank account number ready. Support can usually remove it within one business day if there is a technical issue on PayPal's end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will PayPal charge me a fee to remove a bank account?
No. Removing a bank account from PayPal is free and takes no time. PayPal does not charge for linking, unlinking, or managing bank accounts in your wallet.
Can I remove a bank account if I have a PayPal balance?
Yes. Your PayPal balance and your linked bank account are separate. Removing the account does not touch your PayPal balance. You can still use PayPal to send money to other people or businesses, or transfer your balance to a different bank account later.
What if I remove the account by accident?
You can add it back immediately by going to Wallet and clicking Link a bank account. If you added it recently, PayPal may skip the verification step. If not, you will need to confirm the two small deposits PayPal sends to the account.
Does removing a bank account affect my PayPal credit or seller account?
Removing a linked bank account does not change your PayPal credit status or seller standing. If you use PayPal for business, you can still accept payments and withdraw funds to a different bank account once you add one.
Can someone else remove my bank account from my PayPal?
Only if they have access to your PayPal account login. If you suspect someone removed your account without permission, change your password immediately, review your recent activity, and contact PayPal support to report unauthorized access.