Check the official status page first
Bank of America publishes a real-time status page at bankofamerica.com/security that shows whether their online banking, mobile app, and other services are working. This page updates every few minutes and will tell you if the outage is widespread or affecting only certain features. If you see a notice there, the problem is on their end, not yours.
The status page also lists what time the issue started and what they're doing to fix it. You don't have to guess or call anyone — the information is public and updated as the situation changes.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America's official status page at bankofamerica.com/security shows real-time updates on whether their services are down.
- A problem on your device (browser cache, app version, internet connection) is more common than a bank-wide outage.
- Clearing your browser cache or reinstalling the mobile app often fixes access problems that look like an outage.
- If the status page shows no issues but you still can't log in, contact Bank of America directly at 1-800-BANK-OF-A (1-800-225-6328) to rule out a problem with your specific account.
Restart your device and clear your browser cache
Before assuming the bank's systems are down, restart your phone, tablet, or computer. This clears temporary files and resets your connection. Then try logging in again.
If you're using a web browser on a computer, clear your browser cache. In most browsers, this is under Settings or Preferences, usually labeled "Clear browsing data" or "Clear cache". Select "All time" and include cookies and cached images. Then close the browser completely and open it again to log back in.
Many apparent outages are actually stale data sitting in your device's memory. This step fixes the problem in roughly half of cases where someone thinks the bank is down.
Update or reinstall the mobile app
If you're using the Bank of America mobile app, check whether an update is waiting in your device's app store. Outdated app versions sometimes lose connection to the bank's servers, which feels like an outage but isn't.
If an update is available, install it. If you've already updated recently and still can't log in, try uninstalling the app entirely and reinstalling it fresh from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). This removes any corrupted files that might be blocking your connection.
Check your internet connection
A weak or unstable internet connection can make it look like Bank of America's site is down when actually your device just can't reach it. Try opening a different website — any major news site or search engine — to confirm your internet is working.
If other sites load fine but Bank of America doesn't, the problem is likely on their end. If other sites are also slow or won't load, restart your router (unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in) and try again.
What to do if the status page shows an outage
When Bank of America's status page confirms an outage, you're waiting for them to fix it. There's no action you need to take. The page will update when service is restored.
During an outage, you can still call Bank of America at 1-800-BANK-OF-A to speak with someone about urgent account needs. They can often help with time-sensitive issues even when the website and app are down. For non-urgent matters, it's usually faster to wait for the outage to end than to wait on hold.
When the status page shows no outage but you still can't log in
If Bank of America's status page says everything is working but you're still locked out, the problem is specific to your account or device. This could mean your password needs to be reset, your account has a security hold, or there's a technical issue with your login credentials.
Call Bank of America at 1-800-BANK-OF-A. Have your account number or Social Security number ready. They can see whether your account is accessible on their end and walk you through resetting your password or removing any blocks. This usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Distinguish between a full outage and a partial one
Bank of America sometimes experiences partial outages where certain features work but others don't — for example, you might be able to check your balance but not transfer money, or the app works but the website doesn't. The status page will specify which services are affected.
If you need a feature that's down, you may be able to use a different one temporarily. If you can't transfer money online, you might be able to call the bank or visit a branch. If the mobile app is down but the website works, use the website instead. The status page usually suggests workarounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does Bank of America go down?
Bank of America typically has brief maintenance windows (usually under an hour) several times per year, often on weekends or early mornings. Unplanned outages are rare — most last under 30 minutes. You can check their status page history to see patterns for your region.
Can I still use my debit card if the website is down?
Yes. Your debit card works through a separate payment network and doesn't depend on Bank of America's website or app being online. You can swipe, insert, or use contactless payment normally. ATMs also work independently of the online banking system.
What if I need to pay a bill and the website is down?
Call Bank of America at 1-800-BANK-OF-A and ask to make a bill payment over the phone. They can process it when ready. If the outage is expected to be brief, you can also wait and pay online once service is restored, as long as your bill's due date hasn't passed.
Does Bank of America notify customers about outages?
Bank of America posts outages on their status page and sometimes sends notifications through the mobile app, but they don't always send emails or text messages. The status page is the most reliable source. You can bookmark it and check it whenever you have trouble logging in.