You can unlink a bank account from PayPal in your account settings in about two minutes

Go to your PayPal account, select Wallet from the menu, find the bank account you want to remove, and click the option to delete or unlink it. PayPal will confirm the removal. The account stays in your PayPal record for a short time (usually 10 days) in case you need to undo the action, but after that it is gone.

You do not need to contact PayPal support to remove a bank account. The process is self-service and takes no longer than unlinking a credit card. If you are removing your only payment method, PayPal will warn you before you finish — you will need at least one way to pay or receive money to keep your account active.

Key Takeaways

  • Unlinking a bank account happens in your Wallet settings and takes about two minutes with no phone call needed.
  • PayPal keeps the account information for roughly 10 days after removal, so you can restore it if you change your mind.
  • If the bank account is your only payment method, you must add a different one before you can remove it.
  • Removing a bank account does not close your PayPal account or affect any past transactions.

Step-by-step: removing a bank account

Log into your PayPal account on a computer or the mobile app. On a computer, look for the menu at the top and click Wallet. On the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Wallet.

You will see a list of all payment methods linked to your account — bank accounts, debit cards, and credit cards. Find the bank account you want to remove and click or tap on it. A menu will appear with options. Look for Remove, Unlink, or Delete (the exact wording varies slightly depending on your device). Click that option.

PayPal will ask you to confirm. Read the message — it will tell you the account will be removed and give you the option to undo within a certain time frame. Click Confirm or Yes to finish. The account is now unlinked.

What happens to your account after you unlink

The bank account is no longer connected to your PayPal account and PayPal cannot pull money from it. If you had set up automatic payments or recurring transfers from that account, those will stop. You will not be charged again from that bank account through PayPal.

PayPal keeps a record of the account for about 10 days. If you realize you made a mistake, you can restore it by going back to your Wallet and looking for an option to re-add it. After 10 days, the record is deleted and you would need to link the account again from scratch, which requires the same verification process as the first time.

Any transactions you already made using that bank account remain in your PayPal history. Removing the account does not erase past payments or refunds.

When you cannot remove your only payment method

If the bank account you want to remove is the only way you can send money or receive payments through PayPal, the system will not let you delete it. PayPal requires at least one active payment method on file to keep your account in good standing.

To work around this, add a different payment method first — a debit card, credit card, or another bank account. Once you have added the new method, you can then remove the original bank account. This takes only a few extra minutes and uses the same Wallet menu.

Reasons to unlink a bank account

People unlink bank accounts for several reasons. You might be closing the account at your bank and switching to a new one. You may want to use a different bank for PayPal transactions. Or you might be removing old accounts you no longer use, to keep your PayPal profile clean and reduce the number of places your banking information is stored.

Unlinking is also a security step if you believe your PayPal account has been compromised. Removing the bank account prevents someone else from using it to withdraw money, even if they have access to your PayPal login. If you suspect fraud, change your PayPal password at the same time.

Linking a new bank account after you unlink

If you unlinked an account because you are switching banks, you will need to add your new bank account to PayPal before you can pay from it. Go to Wallet, select Link a Bank Account, and enter your new routing number and account number. PayPal will verify the account by making two small deposits to it — this usually takes one to two business days.

Once verification is complete, your new bank account is ready to use. You can then remove the old account if you have not already done so.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does unlinking a bank account close my PayPal account?

No. Unlinking a bank account only removes that one payment method. Your PayPal account stays open and active. You can still send and receive money using any other payment methods you have linked, or you can add new ones.

Can I unlink a bank account if I have a pending payment from it?

If PayPal is in the middle of processing a payment from that account, you may not be able to unlink it until the transaction completes. Wait for the payment to finish, then unlink. If you are having trouble, contact PayPal support with the transaction details.

What if I unlink my bank account by mistake?

You have about 10 days to restore it through your Wallet settings. After 10 days, you will need to link it again as if it were new, which means going through verification with the two small deposits again.

Will unlinking my bank account affect my credit score?

No. Unlinking a bank account from PayPal is not reported to credit bureaus and does not affect your credit in any way. It is purely a change to your PayPal settings.

Can I unlink a bank account if I owe PayPal money?

If you have an outstanding balance or a dispute with PayPal, the system may prevent you from removing your only payment method. Resolve the balance first, then unlink. Contact PayPal support if you are unsure whether a balance is blocking the removal.