Remove a linked bank account from PayPal in three steps
To delete a bank account from PayPal, log into your account, go to Wallet, find the bank account you want to remove, and select Remove. PayPal will ask you to confirm the deletion. The account disappears from your wallet immediately, though any pending transfers tied to that account may still process.
You can remove a bank account at any time. You do not need a reason, and removing it does not affect your PayPal account itself—only that one funding source. If you have multiple bank accounts linked, you can keep some and remove others.
The process takes less than a minute. PayPal does not charge you to remove an account, and there is no waiting period.
Key Takeaways
- Removing a bank account from PayPal takes three clicks: Wallet, select the account, confirm removal.
- A removed bank account disappears from your wallet immediately, but any transfers already in progress will still complete.
- You can remove a bank account without closing your PayPal account or affecting other linked payment methods.
- If you want to stop PayPal from accessing your bank account entirely, you may also need to revoke permission in your bank's app or online portal.
Step-by-step: removing the bank account
Start by logging into PayPal on a computer or the mobile app. On a computer, click Wallet in the top menu. On the mobile app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Wallet.
Find the bank account you want to remove in the list of linked accounts. It will show the bank name and the last four digits of the account number. Click or tap on it to open the account details.
Look for a Remove button or link, usually near the bottom of the account details screen. Click it. PayPal will ask you to confirm that you want to remove this account. Select Yes or Confirm. The account is now deleted from your wallet.
What happens to pending transfers
If you have a transfer in progress to or from that bank account when you remove it, the transfer will still go through. Removing the account from PayPal does not stop a transaction that has already started. The money will reach your bank account (or leave it) as scheduled.
If you remove an account and then try to send money to it, PayPal will tell you the account is no longer linked and will ask you to choose a different payment method.
Revoking PayPal's access at your bank
Removing a bank account from PayPal stops PayPal from showing it in your wallet, but it does not automatically revoke PayPal's permission to access your bank account. To fully disconnect PayPal from your bank, you may need to take a second step at your bank.
Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for settings related to Connected Apps, Third-Party Access, Authorized Services, or Linked Accounts. The exact name varies by bank. Find PayPal in the list and select Disconnect, Revoke, or Remove Access. This prevents PayPal from initiating any new transfers using your bank account, even if you accidentally re-link it later.
Major banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank all have this setting. Credit unions and smaller regional banks may have it under a different name or in a different location—your bank's customer service can tell you where to find it.
If you want to remove all payment methods
Removing a bank account is different from closing your PayPal account. If you remove all linked bank accounts and cards, your PayPal account still exists and you can still receive money. You just cannot send money or make purchases until you link a new payment method.
If you want to close your PayPal account entirely, you will need to go to Account Settings, find Close Your Account, and follow PayPal's instructions. This is a separate process from removing individual bank accounts.
Troubleshooting: the remove button is not showing
If you cannot find a Remove button next to your bank account, the account may be set as your primary funding source or may have a pending transaction. Try setting a different account as primary first, then return to remove the original account.
If the button still does not appear, log out of PayPal completely, clear your browser cache, and log back in. On mobile, try force-closing the PayPal app and reopening it. If the issue persists, contact PayPal's customer service—they can remove the account for you.
Why you might want to remove a bank account
Common reasons include closing the bank account itself, switching to a different bank, reducing the number of linked accounts for security reasons, or stopping PayPal from accessing an account you no longer use. Removing an account does not hurt your PayPal history or standing—it is a routine maintenance task.
If you are removing the account because of fraud or unauthorized access, also report the issue to PayPal immediately through the Resolution Center and to your bank. Do not wait until after you remove the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing a bank account close my PayPal account?
No. Removing a bank account only removes that one funding source from your wallet. Your PayPal account remains open and active. You can still receive money and use other linked payment methods.
Can I re-link the same bank account later?
Yes. You can link the same bank account again at any time by going to Wallet and selecting Add a Bank Account. PayPal will ask you to verify the account again, which usually takes one to two business days.
Will removing a bank account affect my PayPal credit or history?
No. Removing a payment method does not change your PayPal account history, transaction record, or any credit decisions PayPal has made about your account.
What if I remove an account by mistake?
You can re-link it immediately. Go to Wallet, select Add a Bank Account, and enter the same bank details. The verification process is the same as the first time you linked it.
Do I need to remove a bank account before closing my PayPal account?
No. You can close your PayPal account without removing individual bank accounts first. PayPal will disconnect all linked accounts when you close the account.