Close your PayPal account by going to Settings, selecting Account, then Deactivate Account

To close your PayPal account, log in to your account on PayPal.com or the mobile app, go to Settings (the gear icon), select Account, then find and click Deactivate Account. PayPal will ask you to confirm the closure and may ask why you're leaving. After you confirm, your account will be deactivated immediately, though PayPal keeps your records for a set period for legal and tax reasons.

Before you close the account, make sure your balance is zero. If you have money in your PayPal wallet, you must transfer it to your linked bank account or request a refund first. You cannot close an account with a balance sitting in it. Similarly, if you have any open disputes, pending transactions, or active subscriptions tied to the account, resolve those before attempting to deactivate.

Key Takeaways

  • Your PayPal account closes immediately after you confirm deactivation in Settings, but PayPal retains your transaction history for legal purposes.
  • You must have a zero balance in your PayPal wallet before closing; transfer any remaining money to your bank account first.
  • Cancel any active subscriptions or recurring payments linked to the account before deactivating to avoid failed charges.
  • If you have an open dispute or pending transaction, resolve it before closing, as PayPal may not process your deactivation request otherwise.
  • Closed accounts cannot be reopened; if you think you might use PayPal again, consider leaving the account inactive instead.

Empty your PayPal balance before you deactivate

PayPal will not let you close an account that holds money. If your wallet has a balance—whether from sales, refunds, or transfers—you must move that money out first. Log into your account, go to Wallet, and select Transfer Money. Choose your linked bank account and enter the amount you want to withdraw. The transfer typically takes one to three business days, depending on your bank.

If you have money in multiple currencies or from different sources (like a PayPal Credit balance or a gift card), handle each separately. PayPal Credit balances must be paid off in full before closure. If you have unclaimed refunds or pending credits, contact PayPal Support to process those first. Once your balance truly reads zero, you can proceed to deactivate.

Cancel subscriptions and recurring payments first

Any subscription or automatic payment tied to your PayPal account will fail after you close it, which can trigger late fees or service interruptions with the merchant. Before deactivating, go through your subscriptions and cancel each one. In PayPal Settings, select Payments, then Manage automatic payments. You'll see a list of all active subscriptions and recurring charges. Click each one and select Cancel.

After you cancel through PayPal, confirm the cancellation with the merchant directly if possible—for example, log into your Netflix, Spotify, or gym account and verify the payment method has been removed. This prevents the merchant from trying to charge you through another method. If a subscription fails after you close your account, the merchant may contact you for payment, and you'll be responsible for settling it outside PayPal.

Resolve disputes and pending transactions

PayPal will not deactivate an account with an open dispute, chargeback, or pending transaction. If you're in the middle of a buyer or seller dispute, you must wait for PayPal to resolve it or withdraw the claim first. Similarly, if you have a transaction that's still processing—marked as "pending" or "unclaimed"—that must clear before closure.

Check your Resolution Center in PayPal Settings to see if any disputes are open. If you filed a claim, you can withdraw it by clicking the dispute and selecting Withdraw Resolution Case. For pending transactions, contact the other party to confirm receipt or cancellation. Once all disputes are closed and all transactions have settled, you can proceed with deactivation.

Understand what happens to your account after closure

Once you deactivate your account, you cannot log in, send or receive money, or use any PayPal services. The account is gone from your view immediately. However, PayPal retains your transaction history, personal information, and account records for a period set by law—typically six years for tax and fraud purposes. You cannot reactivate a closed account; if you want to use PayPal again in the future, you'll need to create a new account with the same or a different email address.

If you have pending refunds from merchants or if someone tries to send you money after closure, that payment will fail and be returned to the sender. Merchants who had your PayPal account on file for recurring billing will see the payment method as invalid and may contact you for an alternative. Make sure anyone who regularly pays you knows you're closing the account.

Consider deactivating instead of closing if you might return

PayPal offers a middle ground: you can deactivate your account temporarily without fully closing it. A deactivated account cannot send or receive money, but it can be reactivated later if you change your mind. To deactivate without closing, go to Settings, select Account, and look for Deactivate Account (some versions show this as "Temporarily Deactivate"). This keeps your account recoverable for up to a certain period, after which PayPal may permanently close it.

If you're unsure whether you'll need PayPal in the future—for travel, online shopping, or receiving payments—temporary deactivation is safer than permanent closure. You avoid the hassle of creating a new account and can restore access by logging in again. However, if you're certain you won't use PayPal and want a clean break, full closure is the right choice.

What to do if PayPal won't let you close your account

If you've tried to deactivate and PayPal shows an error or blocks the request, the most common reasons are an outstanding balance, an open dispute, or a pending transaction you didn't notice. Go back through the steps above: check your wallet balance, review your automatic payments, and visit the Resolution Center to confirm no disputes are active. Clear each one and try again.

If you've cleared everything and PayPal still won't close the account, contact PayPal Support through the Help Center. Select Contact Us, choose your issue type (usually "Account and Login"), and request account closure. Provide details about what you've already done to prepare. PayPal Support can sometimes close accounts that the automated system won't, or they can identify a hidden hold or issue blocking closure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reopen a closed PayPal account?

No. Once you permanently close your account, it cannot be reopened. If you want to use PayPal again, you'll need to create a new account. You can use the same email address after 30 days, or use a different email immediately.

What happens to my transaction history after I close my account?

PayPal keeps your transaction records for legal and tax purposes, typically six years. You won't be able to view them through your account, but PayPal can provide records if needed for a dispute or tax filing. Request records through PayPal Support if necessary.

Will closing my PayPal account affect my credit score?

Closing a PayPal account itself does not affect your credit score. However, if you have an outstanding PayPal Credit balance, you must pay it off first, and unpaid balances can be reported to credit bureaus and harm your score.

What if I have a pending refund when I close my account?

If a merchant owes you a refund, process it before closing. If a refund arrives after closure, PayPal will hold it and you'll need to contact support to retrieve it. It's easier to wait for refunds to clear before deactivating.

Can someone send me money after I close my account?

No. Payments sent to a closed account will fail and be returned to the sender. If people regularly pay you, notify them of the closure and provide an alternative payment method.