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

Go to your PayPal account on a computer or the mobile app, find the Wallet or Financial Information section, locate the bank account you want to remove, and select the delete or remove option. PayPal will ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, the account is disconnected from your PayPal profile when ready, though any pending transfers may still process.

You do not need to contact PayPal support to remove a bank account unless something goes wrong during the process. The steps are the same whether you linked the account years ago or just added it yesterday.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank accounts are removed through your PayPal account settings under Wallet or Financial Information, not through your bank.
  • Removing a bank account does not cancel any pending transfers — money already sent to that account will still arrive.
  • You can remove a bank account at any time, even if you have used it recently or have an active PayPal balance.
  • If you want to stop receiving money to a specific account, you should remove it from PayPal and add a different one instead.

Step-by-step: removing a bank account on desktop

Open PayPal in a web browser and sign in. Click the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings. Select Wallet from the left menu.

You will see a list of all connected payment methods — credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts. Find the bank account you want to remove. It will show the bank name and the last four digits of the account number. Click on it to open the account details.

Look for a Remove or Delete button, usually near the bottom of the account details. Click it. PayPal will ask you to confirm that you want to remove this account. Click Yes or Confirm. The account is now disconnected.

Step-by-step: removing a bank account on the PayPal app

Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Wallet.

You will see your connected bank accounts and cards. Tap the bank account you want to remove. Tap Remove or Delete. Confirm when PayPal asks you to verify. The account is removed when ready.

What happens to money already sent to that account

If you remove a bank account while a transfer to that account is in progress, the transfer will still complete. PayPal processes transfers on a schedule, and removing the account from your profile does not stop a transfer that has already been submitted.

Check your PayPal activity or transaction history to see if any transfers are pending. If you see a transfer that has not yet arrived at your bank, contact PayPal support before removing the account — they can tell you whether the transfer has been sent to your bank or is still queued.

When you might want to remove a bank account

Remove a bank account if you have closed that account at your bank, changed banks, or no longer want PayPal to have access to that account number. You might also remove an old account if you have added a new one and want to keep your PayPal profile clean.

If you are concerned about security — for example, if someone else had access to your PayPal account — remove any bank accounts you do not recognize. Then change your PayPal password and review your recent activity to see if anyone made unauthorized transfers.

Adding a new bank account after removing one

You can add a new bank account to PayPal at any time, even right after removing an old one. Go back to Wallet in Settings, select Link a Bank Account, and enter your new bank's routing number and account number. PayPal will verify the account by making two small test deposits to your bank account — this usually takes one to two business days.

Once verified, your new bank account is ready to use. You can receive transfers to it or use it to fund your PayPal balance.

Troubleshooting: the remove button is not showing

If you cannot find a remove option for a bank account, it may be because that account is set as your primary transfer destination. Change your primary account first: tap or click a different bank account and look for an option to Make Primary or Set as Default. Then go back to the original account and try to remove it.

If the remove button still does not appear, the account may be linked to an active or recent transaction. Wait a few hours or a full business day, then try again. If it still does not work, contact PayPal support through the Help Center in your account settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does removing a bank account from PayPal close the account at my bank?

No. Removing a bank account from PayPal only disconnects it from your PayPal profile. Your actual bank account remains open and unchanged. If you want to close the account, you must contact your bank directly.

Can I remove a bank account if I have money in my PayPal balance?

Yes. Your PayPal balance is separate from your linked bank accounts. You can remove a bank account and still have money in PayPal. To move that money to a bank account, you will need to add a different bank account or use another transfer method.

What if I remove a bank account by mistake?

You can add it back when ready by going to Wallet and selecting Link a Bank Account. Enter the same routing number and account number. If the account was recently verified, PayPal may skip the verification step and reconnect it right away.

How long does it take to remove a bank account?

The removal is when ready once you confirm. The account disappears from your Wallet when ready. However, any transfers already sent to that account will still process normally.