Remove a bank account in three steps
Go to your PayPal account settings, find the bank account you want to remove under "Wallet" or "Linked Accounts," and click the delete or remove option next to it. PayPal will ask you to confirm. The account is gone immediately, though any pending transfers tied to that bank account may still process.
You do not need to remove a bank account before closing your PayPal account, and removing it does not affect your PayPal balance or any money already in your account. If you have automatic transfers set up from that bank account, those will stop.
Key Takeaways
- Removing a bank account from PayPal takes less than a minute and happens in the Wallet section of your account settings.
- Any pending transfers from that bank account will still go through even after you remove it, so check your transfer history first.
- Removing a bank account does not close your PayPal account or affect money already in your PayPal balance.
- If you set up automatic transfers or bill payments from that bank account, they will stop working once you remove it.
Where to find the remove option on desktop
Log into PayPal on a computer. Click the gear icon in the top right corner and select "Account Settings." On the left side, click "Wallet" or "Linked Accounts" (the exact name varies by account type). You will see a list of all bank accounts, credit cards, and other payment methods linked to your PayPal account.
Find the bank account you want to remove. Next to it, you should see a menu icon (three dots) or a "Remove" link. Click it. PayPal will show a confirmation message asking if you are sure. Click "Yes" or "Confirm," and the account is removed.
How to remove a bank account on mobile
Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Tap "Settings," then "Wallet." Scroll down to find the bank account you want to remove. Tap it to open the details, then look for a "Remove" or "Delete" button, usually at the bottom of the screen.
Tap the remove button and confirm when PayPal asks. The account will be deleted from your wallet. If you do not see a remove option, try opening the account details again or switching to the desktop version of PayPal, where the option is usually more visible.
What happens to pending transfers
If you have a transfer in progress from that bank account to your PayPal balance, it will still complete even after you remove the account. PayPal processes transfers in batches, usually overnight or within one to three business days. Removing the account does not stop a transfer that is already queued.
Check your transfer history before removing the account. In PayPal, go to "Activity" or "Transactions" and look for any transfers marked as "Pending" or "Processing." If you see one, wait for it to finish before removing the bank account, or contact PayPal if you need to cancel it.
Stopping automatic transfers and bill payments
If you set up automatic transfers from that bank account (for example, moving money to PayPal every week), removing the account will stop those transfers. PayPal will not send you a separate notice—the transfers simply will not happen anymore.
If you want to keep automatic transfers but use a different bank account, add the new bank account to PayPal first, then remove the old one. You can then set up new automatic transfers from the new account. To check if you have any automatic transfers set up, go to "Settings," then "Automatic Transfers" or "Recurring Payments."
Why you might see an error when removing an account
PayPal sometimes blocks you from removing a bank account if there is a pending transfer, a dispute, or a hold on your account. If you get an error message, read it carefully—it will tell you why the account cannot be removed right now.
The most common reason is an active transfer. Wait for it to complete, then try removing the account again. If there is a dispute or hold, you will need to resolve that first by contacting PayPal. If the error persists and you cannot figure out why, use PayPal's "Contact Us" option in Settings to reach their support team.
Removing a bank account does not close your PayPal account
Deleting a bank account from your wallet is not the same as closing your PayPal account. Your PayPal account stays open, your balance remains, and you can still send and receive money. You are just removing one payment method.
If you want to close your entire PayPal account, that is a separate process. You would need to go to Settings, find the account closure option, and follow PayPal's steps. But if you only want to remove one bank account—because you closed that bank, switched banks, or simply do not want PayPal linked to it anymore—removing it from your wallet is all you need to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a bank account if I have a pending transfer?
You can try, but PayPal usually will not let you until the transfer completes. If you see an error, wait one to three business days for the transfer to finish, then remove the account. If the transfer is stuck, contact PayPal to cancel it first.
Will removing a bank account affect my PayPal balance?
No. Your PayPal balance is separate from any linked bank account. Removing a bank account does not touch the money in your PayPal wallet. You can still use that balance to send money or make purchases.
What if I remove a bank account by mistake?
You can add it back anytime. Go to Wallet, click "Link a Bank Account," and enter the same bank details. PayPal will verify it (usually within one to two business days) and it will be linked again. You will need to set up any automatic transfers from scratch.
Do I need to remove my bank account before closing PayPal?
No. You can close your PayPal account without removing linked bank accounts first. PayPal will disconnect everything when you close the account. But if you are just removing the bank account and keeping PayPal open, follow the steps above.
Why can't I find the remove option?
The option location varies by device and account type. On mobile, make sure you are in the Wallet section and tap the account to see its details. On desktop, look for a menu icon (three dots) next to the account name. If you still cannot find it, try the desktop version or contact PayPal support.