Why your bank connection breaks and how to fix it
Your bank account disconnects in QuickBooks Online when the connection between QuickBooks and your bank's system fails. This usually happens because you changed your online banking password, your bank updated its security settings, or the connection straightforward timed out after sitting unused. The fix is straightforward: you remove the old connection and set up a new one, which takes about five minutes if you have your online banking login ready.
The process is the same whether you're reconnecting a checking account, savings account, or credit card. You'll work in the QuickBooks settings, not in your bank's system — your bank doesn't need to know you're doing this.
Key Takeaways
- A disconnected bank account shows a red warning icon next to the account name in your Chart of Accounts, and QuickBooks stops pulling transactions.
- You reconnect by going to Settings, then Accounts and Settings, then the Connected Accounts tab, and selecting the account that needs reconnecting.
- QuickBooks will ask you to log into your online banking account during the reconnection process — use the same username and password you use to check your balance online.
- After reconnection completes, QuickBooks will pull any transactions it missed while the connection was down, usually within a few hours.
- If reconnection fails, check that your online banking password is current and that your bank hasn't locked your account due to failed login attempts.
Where to find the disconnected account in QuickBooks
Open QuickBooks Online and go to the Chart of Accounts. Look for a red warning icon (usually an exclamation mark or a broken link symbol) next to the account name. This icon means the connection is broken and QuickBooks is no longer receiving transactions from your bank.
If you don't see the warning icon, click on the account name to open its details. At the top of the account page, you'll see a message that says something like "Bank connection is inactive" or "Last update: [date]" with a red status indicator. This confirms the connection needs to be reset.
The reconnection process step by step
Click on the Settings gear icon in the top right corner of QuickBooks Online. From the dropdown menu, select Accounts and Settings. On the left sidebar, click the Connected Accounts tab.
You'll see a list of all the accounts you've connected to QuickBooks. Find the account you need to reconnect and look for a button that says Reconnect or Update Connection next to it. Click that button.
QuickBooks will open a window asking you to log into your online banking account. Enter your username and password — the same ones you use when you log into your bank's website or app to check your balance. Do not use your QuickBooks password here.
After you log in, your bank's system will ask you to confirm that you want to allow QuickBooks to access your account. This is a security step. Click Allow or Authorize (the exact wording depends on your bank). QuickBooks will then complete the connection and return you to the settings page.
What happens after you reconnect
Once the connection is live again, the red warning icon disappears and the account status changes to green. QuickBooks will automatically read any transactions from your bank that arrived while the connection was broken. This catch-up usually takes a few hours, though it can take up to 24 hours depending on your bank.
You don't need to do anything while this happens. Check back later in the day and you should see the missing transactions in your account register. If transactions are still missing after 24 hours, contact your bank's customer service to confirm your online banking account is active and not locked.
Why reconnection fails and what to do
The most common reason reconnection fails is that your online banking password has changed since you last connected the account. If you've recently updated your password at your bank's website, use that new password when QuickBooks asks you to log in.
Your bank may also have locked your online banking account if someone (or QuickBooks) tried to log in with the wrong password too many times. If this happens, you'll see an error message like "Invalid credentials" or "Account locked." Go to your bank's website directly and log in to confirm your account is accessible. If it's locked, follow your bank's steps to unlock it, then try reconnecting in QuickBooks again.
Some banks require you to approve new devices or locations before they allow access. If you see a message asking you to verify your identity or approve a new login, check your email or phone for a message from your bank. Complete that verification, then try reconnecting in QuickBooks.
When to reconnect versus when to contact support
Try reconnecting yourself first — it works about 80 percent of the time and takes only a few minutes. You should contact QuickBooks support if you've tried reconnecting three times and still see an error message, or if your bank's system shows a message you don't recognize.
Contact your bank's customer service if the error message mentions your account is locked, suspended, or restricted. Your bank can unlock the account faster than QuickBooks support can, and you'll need that done before reconnection will work anyway.
Preventing future disconnections
Bank connections are most stable when you log into QuickBooks at least once a week. If you go months without using QuickBooks, the connection may time out and need reconnecting. A weekly check-in — even just to review transactions — keeps the connection active.
If you change your online banking password, reconnect your account in QuickBooks within a day or two. The longer you wait, the more transactions pile up that QuickBooks can't read, and the longer the catch-up takes once you reconnect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will reconnecting delete my transactions or mess up my records?
No. Reconnecting only restores the link between QuickBooks and your bank. Your existing transactions stay in place, and QuickBooks will read any new ones it missed. Your account balance and history are not affected.
Do I need to reconnect every time I change my bank password?
Yes. When you change your online banking password, QuickBooks still has the old password stored. You need to reconnect so QuickBooks can use your new password. If you don't reconnect, the connection will fail the next time QuickBooks tries to read transactions.
What if my bank isn't in the list of connected accounts?
If you never connected the account in the first place, you'll need to set up a new connection rather than reconnect an old one. Go to Settings, Connected Accounts, and look for an Add Account button. If your bank isn't supported by QuickBooks, you may need to read transactions manually from your bank's website and import them as a CSV file.
How long does it take for transactions to show up after I reconnect?
QuickBooks usually downloads transactions within a few hours of reconnection. If you're waiting for a specific transaction, check your bank's website first to confirm it has posted. Some transactions take a day or two to appear at your bank, so QuickBooks can't read them until they do.
Can I reconnect a bank account on my phone?
You can start the process on the QuickBooks mobile app, but you may need to finish it on a computer. The mobile app sometimes has trouble with the bank login window. If you run into issues, open QuickBooks Online in a web browser on your computer and reconnect from there.