Disconnect your bank account in three steps
Log into your PayPal account on a computer or the mobile app. Go to Wallet (or Account on mobile), then select Banks and Cards. Find the bank account you want to remove, click the three dots next to it, and select Remove. Confirm the removal when PayPal asks. The disconnection is immediate — PayPal will no longer be able to pull money from that account or deposit refunds into it.
If you have a PayPal Cash or PayPal Cash Plus account, removing your only bank account means you cannot transfer money out of PayPal to a bank anymore. You can still receive payments and hold a balance in PayPal, but you will need to add a different bank account or use a debit card if you want to move money back out later.
The process is the same whether you added the account for direct deposit, as a backup payment source, or to receive refunds. Once removed, it stays removed unless you add it again.
Key Takeaways
- Removing a bank account from PayPal takes less than a minute and happens immediately through the Wallet or Account settings.
- PayPal will stop using that account for payments, deposits, and refunds as soon as you confirm the removal.
- If you remove your only linked bank account, you cannot transfer PayPal balance to a bank until you add a new one.
- You can add the same bank account back later if you change your mind, though PayPal may ask you to verify it again.
Why you might disconnect a bank account
The most common reason is security. If you think your PayPal account has been compromised, removing the linked bank account prevents an attacker from draining your checking account. Changing banks is another reason — when you close an old account or switch to a new bank, you need to remove the old account from PayPal so payments do not fail.
Some people disconnect to simplify their setup, especially if they have added multiple accounts over time and only use one now. Others disconnect because they no longer use PayPal regularly and want to reduce the number of places their bank details are stored.
If you are concerned about fraud or unauthorized access, removing the bank account is a first step, but you should also change your PayPal password, enable two-factor authentication, and check your bank account for unauthorized transactions.
What happens to pending payments and refunds
If you remove a bank account while a payment or refund is in progress, the outcome depends on the stage. Payments you have already sent from PayPal are not affected — they came from your PayPal balance or a card, not from the bank account. Refunds that have already been processed to that bank account will still arrive, because the transaction is already in motion.
The risk is with refunds that have not yet been processed. If a seller or PayPal initiates a refund to a bank account you have just removed, the refund may fail or be delayed. PayPal will attempt to send it to the account on file at the time the refund was issued. If that account no longer exists in your PayPal wallet, the refund may bounce back to PayPal, and you will have to contact the seller or PayPal to reroute it.
To avoid this, wait until any pending refunds have cleared before removing a bank account. Check your transaction history for any refunds marked as "in progress" or "pending."
Removing a bank account does not close your PayPal account
Disconnecting a bank account is not the same as closing your PayPal account. Your PayPal account stays open, your balance remains, and you can still receive payments. You simply cannot use that particular bank account with PayPal anymore.
If you want to close your entire PayPal account, that is a separate process. You would go to Settings, select Account, then Close your account. PayPal will ask you to confirm and may require your balance to be zero or transferred out first. Closing your account is permanent and cannot be undone.
Adding a bank account back later
If you remove a bank account and later decide you need it, you can add it again. Go to Wallet, select Banks and Cards, and choose Link a Bank Account. You will enter your routing number and account number again. PayPal may ask you to verify the account by confirming two small deposits it sends to your bank, which usually takes one to two business days.
If you add the same account within a short time of removing it, PayPal may skip the verification step if it still has a record of the account. However, if you are adding it after a longer gap or if PayPal's system does not recognize it, you will go through the full verification process again.
What to do if you cannot remove an account
In rare cases, PayPal may not let you remove a bank account if there is a pending transaction, an open dispute, or a hold on your account. If you see an error message when you try to remove the account, check your transaction history and resolution center for any open cases. Resolve those first, then try removing the account again.
If your account is under review or restricted, PayPal will not let you change payment methods until the review is complete. Contact PayPal Support through the Resolution Center or the Help section to find out why the account is restricted and what you need to do to unlock it.
If you have a business account or a linked account (such as a PayPal Credit line), there may be additional restrictions. Business accounts sometimes require at least one payment method on file at all times. Check your account type in Settings to see if special rules apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing a bank account hurt my credit score?
No. Removing a bank account from PayPal has no effect on your credit. PayPal does not report bank account removals to credit bureaus. Your credit score is only affected by credit accounts like loans, credit cards, and payment history — not by which payment methods you link to digital wallets.
Will PayPal charge me a fee to remove a bank account?
No. PayPal does not charge a fee to disconnect a bank account. The removal is free and instant. You may see fees if you transfer money or make payments, but the act of removing the account itself costs nothing.
Can I remove a bank account if I have a PayPal balance?
Yes. Your PayPal balance is separate from your linked bank account. You can remove the bank account and keep your balance in PayPal. However, if you want to transfer that balance to a bank later, you will need to add a bank account back first.
What if my bank account was compromised and I removed it from PayPal?
Removing it from PayPal stops new PayPal transactions from using that account, but it does not protect your bank account itself. Contact your bank directly to report fraud, freeze the account if needed, or request a new card. Your bank can reverse unauthorized charges and issue you a new account number.
How long does it take for PayPal to stop using a removed bank account?
The removal is immediate in PayPal's system. However, if a payment or refund was already in process when you removed the account, it may still attempt to use it. Once the removal is confirmed, no new transactions will use that account.