How to check if Bank of America's website is actually down
When you can't reach Bank of America's website, the problem is usually on your end — your internet connection, your browser, or something cached on your device — not with Bank of America's servers. Before you assume the bank's systems are down, try these steps in order.
First, open a different website entirely — something like Google or CNN — to confirm your internet connection works. If that site loads, your connection is fine and the problem is specific to Bank of America. If nothing loads, restart your modem and router, wait two minutes, and try again.
Next, try accessing Bank of America from a different browser. If you normally use Chrome, open Firefox or Safari instead. If the site works in the new browser, your usual browser has a problem — try clearing its cache and cookies, then restart it. You can usually find this under Settings or Preferences, often labeled "Clear browsing data" or "Privacy".
If the site still won't load, try accessing it from your phone using mobile data instead of WiFi. This tells you whether the problem is your home network or something broader. You can also try the Bank of America mobile app instead of the website — sometimes one works when the other doesn't.
Key Takeaways
- Most "website down" problems are actually your internet connection, browser cache, or device issue, not Bank of America's servers.
- Test your connection by opening a different website, and test Bank of America specifically by trying a different browser or your phone.
- Bank of America publishes real-time system status on their official status page, which you can reach even if the main website is slow.
- If the bank's systems are genuinely down, you can still access your account through the mobile app, call customer service, or visit a branch.
- Bank of America typically schedules maintenance on Sunday nights; if you're having trouble then, check back in a few hours.
Check Bank of America's official status page
Bank of America maintains a status page that shows whether their systems are actually down. You can reach this page even when the main website is slow or unreachable. Go to status.bankofamerica.com — this address often works even when bankofamerica.com does not, because it's hosted separately.
The status page shows you which services are working and which are having problems. You'll see categories like "Online Banking", "Mobile App", "ATM Network", and "Customer Service Phone Lines". A green checkmark means that service is working normally. A yellow or red indicator means there's a known problem, and the page will tell you when Bank of America expects to fix it.
If you can't reach the status page either, you can also check third-party monitoring sites like DownDetector or IsItDownRightNow. These sites track reports from users across the country and show you whether other people are experiencing the same problem. A spike in reports from many users in your area suggests a real outage. A handful of reports suggests your personal connection or device is the issue.
When Bank of America does scheduled maintenance
Bank of America schedules routine maintenance — updates and repairs that require the systems to be offline — on Sunday nights, usually between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Eastern Time. During this window, online banking, the mobile app, and some ATM functions may be unavailable. This is planned and expected, not an emergency.
If you're trying to access your account on a Sunday night and can't, check the status page first. If it says "Scheduled Maintenance", the systems will be back online by morning. You can still call customer service during maintenance — the phone lines usually stay open — or visit a branch on Monday.
Bank of America sometimes extends maintenance if they run into unexpected problems. If the status page says maintenance should have ended but the site is still down, wait another hour and check again. Unplanned outages are rare but do happen; when they do, the status page updates every 15 to 30 minutes.
What you can do while the website is down
If Bank of America's website is genuinely down and you need to access your account, you have several options that don't require the website. The mobile app often works independently of the website, so try opening the Bank of America app on your phone even if the website won't load.
You can also call Bank of America's customer service line at 1-800-432-1000. This number works 24 hours a day, and representatives can help you check your balance, make transfers, pay bills, or answer questions about your account. Have your account number or the phone number associated with your account ready when you call.
If you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash, visit any Bank of America branch or ATM. ATMs usually work even during website outages because they're on a separate system. Branches are open during business hours — typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and shorter hours on Saturday. You can find your nearest branch and its hours on the Bank of America website when it's working, or by calling the customer service number above.
Why websites go down and how long it usually takes
Bank of America's website goes down for a few reasons. Scheduled maintenance is the most common — the bank updates software, patches security problems, or upgrades hardware. These are planned events that the bank announces in advance, usually on the status page.
Unplanned outages happen when something breaks unexpectedly — a server fails, a network connection drops, or a software bug causes a crash. These are rare at large banks because they have backup systems designed to prevent them. When an unplanned outage does occur, Bank of America's engineers work to restore service as quickly as possible, usually within 30 minutes to a few hours.
Widespread internet problems in your area — a downed power line, a fiber cut, or your internet provider's equipment failure — can make it look like Bank of America is down when actually your connection to the internet itself is broken. This is why testing other websites first matters so much.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use my debit card if the website is down?
Yes. Your debit card works through a separate payment network, not through Bank of America's website. You can swipe, insert, or tap your card at any store or ATM regardless of whether the website is working. The only exception is if Bank of America's entire network is down, which is extremely rare.
Will I lose money if the website goes down while I'm transferring funds?
No. Bank of America's systems are designed so that if a transfer is interrupted, the money stays in your account and the transfer doesn't go through. You'll need to try again once the website is back up. Never attempt the same transfer twice — wait to confirm the first one completed before trying again.
How do I know if it's my problem or Bank of America's problem?
Open a different website like Google to test your internet. If that works, the problem is Bank of America-specific. Then try Bank of America on a different browser or your phone. If it works on your phone but not your computer, your computer's browser is the problem. If it doesn't work anywhere, check status.bankofamerica.com or DownDetector to see if others are reporting the same issue.
What should I do if the website is down and I need to pay a bill today?
Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and a representative can process a bill payment over the phone. Have your account number and the details of the bill you're paying ready. If it's after hours, you can also pay directly through the biller's website if you have an account with them — most utilities and credit card companies let you pay without going through your bank.
Does Bank of America notify customers when the website will be down?
Bank of America posts scheduled maintenance windows on their status page and sometimes sends email notifications to customers. However, these notifications don't always reach everyone, so checking the status page directly is more reliable. For unplanned outages, the bank updates the status page as soon as they're aware of the problem.