You can delete a bank account from PayPal in your account settings, but the process depends on whether the account is still linked to active transactions or holds
To remove a bank account from PayPal, log in to your account, go to Wallet, select the bank account you want to remove, and choose the delete or remove option. The account will disappear from your wallet immediately. However, PayPal may prevent you from deleting an account if it has a pending transaction, an active hold, or an outstanding balance — in those cases, you must wait for the transaction to clear or the hold to lift before deletion is possible.
The reason for the restriction is straightforward: PayPal needs a way to contact your bank if something goes wrong after you've initiated a transfer. If you delete the account while money is still moving, PayPal has no destination to reverse a payment to if a dispute arises or if you request a refund.
Key Takeaways
- Bank accounts linked to pending transfers, holds, or outstanding balances cannot be deleted until those transactions fully clear.
- Deleting a bank account from PayPal does not close your PayPal account or affect your transaction history.
- If PayPal blocks deletion, wait for the transaction status to change to "completed" in your activity log before trying again.
- You can add the same bank account back to PayPal at any time after deletion by re-entering the routing and account numbers.
Step-by-step deletion from the PayPal website
Open PayPal in a web browser and sign in with your email and password. Click Wallet in the top navigation menu. Under "Linked accounts," locate the bank account you want to remove and click on it to open the account details.
Look for a menu icon (three dots or a gear) next to the account name, or scroll down to find a "Remove" or "Delete" button. Click it. PayPal will ask you to confirm the deletion. Click "Yes" or "Confirm" to complete the removal. The account will no longer appear in your Wallet.
If you do not see a delete option, it means the account is tied to a pending transaction or hold. Check your Activity or Recent Transactions page to see if any transfers involving that account are still in progress. Wait for the status to show "completed" before attempting deletion again.
Deletion from the PayPal mobile app
Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Tap Wallet. Scroll to find the bank account you want to remove and tap it to open the details page.
Tap the menu icon or settings gear at the top right of the account details screen. Select "Remove account" or "Delete." Confirm the action when prompted. The account will be removed from your Wallet immediately if no transactions are pending.
Why PayPal won't let you delete a bank account
PayPal blocks deletion when your bank account is involved in an active transaction. This includes transfers that show a status of "pending," "processing," or "in progress." It also includes situations where PayPal has placed a temporary hold on the account — this can happen if you've made a large transfer, if PayPal is verifying the account, or if there's a dispute or chargeback under review.
If you see an error message saying the account cannot be deleted, check your transaction history for any transfers to or from that account that are not yet marked "completed." You may also have an outstanding balance on your PayPal account that is owed to the bank or to PayPal itself. Resolve the balance first, then try deletion again.
In rare cases, PayPal may hold an account for up to 180 days if there is an active dispute or investigation. During this time, deletion is not possible. You will receive a notification if this is the case, and PayPal will tell you when the hold will be lifted.
What happens to your PayPal account and history after deletion
Deleting a bank account from PayPal does not close your PayPal account. Your account remains active, and all your past transactions remain in your activity log. You can still send and receive money using other payment methods — credit cards, debit cards, PayPal balance, or other linked bank accounts.
The deleted account will no longer appear in your Wallet or in the list of payment methods you can choose from when sending money. However, if someone sends you money to your PayPal email address, you can still receive it using your remaining payment methods.
How to add the same bank account back later
If you delete a bank account and later want to use it again, you can re-link it to PayPal at any time. Go to Wallet, click Link a bank account, and enter the routing number and account number again. PayPal will verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into the account within one to two business days.
Once the deposits appear in your bank statement, return to PayPal and enter the two amounts to confirm ownership. The account will be fully linked and ready to use. This verification process is the same whether you are linking an account for the first time or re-linking one you previously deleted.
Reasons you might want to delete a bank account from PayPal
People delete bank accounts from PayPal for several reasons. You may have closed the bank account itself and no longer need it linked to PayPal. You might want to remove an old account and use a new one instead. Some users delete accounts to reduce the number of payment methods in their Wallet and simplify their account. Others delete an account if they suspect fraud or unauthorized access and want to cut off a potential avenue for theft.
If you are concerned about fraud or security, deleting the account is a good first step, but you should also change your PayPal password, enable two-factor authentication, and contact your bank to monitor the account for unauthorized charges. If you believe someone has already used your account to transfer money without your permission, report it to PayPal immediately through the Resolution Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a bank account if I just added it?
Yes, you can delete a newly added bank account immediately, even before PayPal has verified it with the two small deposits. As long as no transactions are pending, the delete option will be available. If you delete it before verification is complete, you will need to re-link it and go through the verification process again if you want to use it later.
What if I deleted a bank account by mistake?
You can re-link the same bank account to PayPal by going to Wallet and selecting "Link a bank account." Enter the routing and account numbers again. PayPal will send two verification deposits, and once you confirm the amounts, the account will be active again. Your transaction history is not affected by deletion.
Does deleting a bank account affect my credit score?
No. Deleting a bank account from PayPal has no impact on your credit score. Your credit is only affected by credit accounts (credit cards, loans, lines of credit) and payment history. Removing a bank account from a digital wallet is an internal account management action and is not reported to credit bureaus.
Can I delete a bank account if PayPal owes me money?
If PayPal has a pending transfer to that bank account, you cannot delete it until the transfer completes. If the transfer has already completed and the money has left PayPal, the account can be deleted. However, if you delete the account and then need to dispute the transfer or request a refund, you will need to re-link the account or provide PayPal with a different bank account for the refund.
Will deleting a bank account stop automatic payments?
If you have set up a recurring payment or subscription through PayPal using that bank account, deleting the account may cause the payment to fail on the next billing date. Before deleting, check your PayPal settings for any active subscriptions or automatic payments linked to that account. Update or cancel them first, or change the payment method to a different account.