How to remove a bank account from PayPal
You can remove a bank account from PayPal in three steps: log into your account, go to Wallet settings, find the bank account you want to remove, and select the delete option. PayPal will ask you to confirm. The account disappears from your Wallet immediately, though any pending transfers tied to that account may still process. You cannot remove the only bank account linked to your PayPal if you have an active balance in your account — you must transfer or withdraw that money first.
Removing a bank account does not close your PayPal account or affect your ability to receive payments. It only disconnects that specific bank from your Wallet. If you linked the account by mistake, want to use a different bank, or are closing the bank account itself, removal is straightforward and takes less than a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Log into PayPal on a computer or the mobile app, open Wallet, and click the delete button next to the bank account you want to remove.
- PayPal will ask you to confirm the removal; the account is deleted immediately after you confirm.
- You cannot remove your only linked bank account if your PayPal balance is not zero — transfer or withdraw the balance first.
- Removing a bank account does not close your PayPal account, change your payment history, or stop you from receiving money.
- If you remove an account by mistake, you can re-link the same bank account at any time using the routing and account numbers.
Step-by-step removal on desktop
Open PayPal in a web browser and sign in with your email and password. Click the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings, then select Wallet from the left menu. You will see a list of all linked payment methods — bank accounts, debit cards, and credit cards.
Find the bank account you want to remove and click the three dots or menu icon next to it. Select Delete or Remove from the dropdown menu. PayPal will show a confirmation message asking if you are sure. Click Confirm or Yes to complete the removal. The account is gone from your Wallet immediately.
Step-by-step removal on mobile
Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Tap Wallet, then find the bank account in your list of payment methods. Swipe left on the account name (iPhone) or long-press it (Android) until a delete or remove option appears. Tap Delete and confirm when PayPal asks you to verify.
On some versions of the app, you may see a three-dot menu icon next to the account instead. Tap it and select Remove or Delete from the menu. Either way, the removal is instant once you confirm.
What happens if your PayPal balance is not zero
If you have money sitting in your PayPal account and that bank account is your only linked payment method, PayPal will not let you delete it. You will see an error message saying you must remove the balance first. This is a safety measure to prevent you from locking yourself out of your own money.
To proceed, transfer your PayPal balance to a different bank account or to a linked debit card, or withdraw it using a different payment method. Once your PayPal balance is zero, you can delete the bank account. If you want to keep that bank account linked but add a second one, you can do that without removing the first.
Pending transfers and what they mean for removal
If you have a transfer in progress to the bank account you are trying to remove, PayPal may block the deletion until the transfer completes. A transfer typically takes one to three business days. You can check the status of pending transfers in your Activity or Transaction History.
If a transfer is stuck or delayed, contact PayPal Support before attempting to remove the account. Once the transfer lands in your bank, the account can be removed without affecting the money you already received. Removing the account does not reverse or cancel a transfer that has already started.
Re-linking the same bank account later
If you remove a bank account by mistake or change your mind, you can add it back to your Wallet at any time. Go to Wallet settings, click Add a Payment Method, select Bank Account, and enter the routing number and account number again. PayPal will verify the account using two small deposits (usually under $1 each) sent to your bank.
Verification takes one to two business days. Once verified, the account is active and you can use it to transfer money out of PayPal or receive payments. You do not lose any history or standing by removing and re-adding an account — it is treated as a new link, but your PayPal account itself remains unchanged.
Why you might want to remove a bank account
The most common reason is switching to a different bank. If you opened a new checking account or moved to a bank with better rates, you can remove the old account and link the new one. Another reason is security: if you think your bank account information was compromised, removing it from PayPal stops it from being used for transfers, though you should also contact your bank directly.
You might also remove an account if you linked it by mistake, added a typo in the account number, or simply do not use PayPal to transfer money to that bank anymore. Removing unused accounts keeps your Wallet clean and reduces the number of payment methods PayPal has on file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing a bank account close my PayPal account?
No. Removing a bank account only disconnects that one payment method from your Wallet. Your PayPal account stays open, your transaction history remains, and you can still send and receive money using other payment methods or by adding a new bank account later.
Can I remove a bank account if I have a pending transfer?
PayPal usually blocks removal while a transfer is in progress. Wait one to three business days for the transfer to complete, then try removing the account again. If the transfer is stuck, contact PayPal Support before attempting deletion.
What if I remove the account and then need it back?
You can re-link the same bank account anytime by going to Wallet, clicking Add a Payment Method, and entering the routing and account numbers again. PayPal will verify it with two small test deposits, which takes one to two business days.
Will removing a bank account affect my credit score?
No. Removing a bank account from PayPal has no impact on your credit. PayPal does not report bank account removals to credit bureaus. Your credit score is only affected by credit accounts like loans and credit cards, not by payment method changes in digital wallets.
Can I remove a bank account if I owe PayPal money?
If you have an outstanding balance or an unpaid transaction dispute, PayPal may prevent you from removing your only linked bank account until the issue is resolved. Contact PayPal Support to discuss your account status and what payment methods you can modify.