You can delete a bank account from PayPal in your account settings, and it takes about two minutes

To remove a bank account from PayPal, log into your account on a computer or the mobile app, go to your wallet or settings, find the bank account you want to remove, and select the delete or remove option. PayPal will confirm the deletion. The account stays linked to your PayPal record for a short time after deletion for security reasons, but you cannot use it for transfers or payments when ready.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you are on the website or mobile app, and whether the account has pending transactions. If you have money moving to or from that bank account, you may need to wait for the transfer to complete before deletion is possible.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank accounts are removed through your PayPal wallet settings, not through your bank.
  • Pending transfers to or from the account must complete before you can delete it.
  • Removing an account does not affect your PayPal balance or other linked payment methods.
  • If you see an error message when trying to delete, check whether a transfer is still in progress.

Steps to delete a bank account on the PayPal website

Open PayPal in a web browser and log 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 payment methods linked to your account, including bank accounts, debit cards, and credit cards.

Find the bank account you want to remove and click on it to open the details. Look for a Delete or Remove button, usually at the bottom of the account details panel. Click it, and PayPal will ask you to confirm. Click Yes, remove this account or the equivalent confirmation button. The account is now deleted from your wallet.

Steps to delete a bank account on the PayPal mobile app

Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen. Tap Wallet, then look for the bank account section. Swipe left on the account you want to delete, or tap the three dots next to it if swiping does not appear as an option.

A menu will appear with a Remove or Delete option. Tap it and confirm when PayPal asks you to verify. The account is removed from your wallet when ready, though PayPal may keep a record of it for fraud prevention.

What happens if a transfer is pending to or from that account

If you have a transfer in progress to the bank account you want to delete, PayPal will not let you remove it until the transfer completes. This is a safety measure to prevent money from being sent to an account you no longer control. You will see an error message saying the account cannot be deleted at this time.

Check your transaction history to see when the transfer is scheduled to arrive. Once it lands in your bank account, return to PayPal settings and try deleting again. Transfers from PayPal to a bank account typically take one to three business days, depending on your bank.

Removing an account that shows an error message

If you try to delete a bank account and see a message like "This account cannot be removed" or "Transaction in progress," the most common cause is an active or recent transfer. Wait 24 hours and try again. If the error persists, the account may have been flagged for a security review.

Log out of PayPal completely, wait 10 minutes, and log back in. Try deleting the account again. If the error continues, contact PayPal support through the Help section in your account settings. They can check whether the account is locked for a specific reason and help you remove it if there is no legitimate hold.

The difference between deleting and unlinking a bank account

Deleting a bank account removes it from your PayPal wallet so you cannot use it for transfers or payments. Unlinking is the same action—PayPal uses both terms interchangeably. Once deleted, the account no longer appears in your payment method list.

PayPal keeps a record of deleted accounts in your account history for up to 180 days for fraud prevention and dispute resolution. This means if a transaction dispute arises involving that account, PayPal can still investigate it. You can re-add the same bank account later if you change your mind, but you will need to verify it again with the micro-deposits PayPal sends to confirm ownership.

What to do if you want to stop using PayPal transfers to your bank entirely

Deleting one bank account does not close your PayPal account or prevent you from receiving money. If you delete all linked bank accounts, PayPal balance transfers will not be possible until you add a new one. Money sent to you through PayPal will still arrive in your PayPal balance; you straightforward cannot move it to a bank account without re-linking one.

If you want to stop using PayPal altogether, you can close your entire account through settings. This is different from deleting a single bank account. Closing your account removes all payment methods and prevents you from sending or receiving money through PayPal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete a bank account if it is my only payment method?

Yes. Deleting your only bank account does not close your PayPal account. You can still receive money and hold a balance in PayPal. To transfer money out later, you will need to add a new bank account and verify it.

Will deleting a bank account affect my credit score?

No. Removing a bank account from PayPal is not reported to credit bureaus and does not affect your credit. It is purely an internal PayPal account change.

What if I deleted a bank account by mistake?

You can add it back by going to your wallet and selecting the option to add a new bank account. You will need to verify it again with the micro-deposits PayPal sends, which takes one to two business days.

Does PayPal charge a fee to delete a bank account?

No. Removing a bank account is free. PayPal does not charge for adding, removing, or changing payment methods.

How long does it take for a deleted bank account to stop showing in my wallet?

It disappears when ready from your payment method list. However, PayPal may keep it in your account history for fraud prevention purposes for up to 180 days.