You can remove a bank account from PayPal in about two minutes through your account settings
Go to your PayPal account, select Wallet from the menu, find the bank account you want to remove, and click the delete or trash icon next to it. PayPal will ask you to confirm. The account disappears from your wallet when ready, though any pending transfers may still process. You do not need to contact PayPal support unless the delete button does not appear or you are trying to remove your only linked payment method.
The reason you might not see a delete option is usually because money is still moving through that account — either a transfer is pending, or PayPal is waiting for a small deposit it sent to verify the account is yours. Wait for those transactions to finish, then try again.
Key Takeaways
- Open your PayPal Wallet, locate the bank account, and click the delete icon to remove it in seconds.
- If the delete button is missing, a pending transfer or verification deposit is likely blocking removal.
- Removing a bank account does not close your PayPal account or affect any other linked payment methods.
- You can re-add the same bank account later if you change your mind.
Step-by-step removal process
Log into your PayPal account on a computer or the mobile app. On a computer, click Wallet in the top menu. On the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Wallet.
Look for the bank account you want to remove in the list of payment methods. Next to it, you should see a trash can icon or a three-dot menu. Click or tap that icon. PayPal will show a confirmation message asking if you are sure you want to remove this account. Confirm the removal. The account is now gone from your wallet.
Why the delete button might be missing
PayPal blocks removal of a bank account if money is still in motion. The most common reasons are a pending transfer (you sent money to that account and it has not arrived yet) or a verification deposit (PayPal sent you two small deposits to confirm the account is real, and you have not confirmed the amounts yet).
If you initiated a transfer to that bank account, wait for it to complete. This usually takes one to three business days. Once the money lands, the delete button will reappear. If you are waiting for verification deposits, check your bank account for two small amounts (usually under $1 each), then return to PayPal and enter those amounts to verify the account. After verification is complete, you can remove it.
In rare cases, PayPal may flag an account for review if there was unusual activity. If you have waited several days and the delete button still does not appear, contact PayPal support through the Resolution Center or the Help section of your account.
What happens after you remove a bank account
Removing a bank account from your wallet does not affect your PayPal account itself. You can still send and receive money through other linked payment methods — credit cards, debit cards, or other bank accounts. Your transaction history remains unchanged.
If the bank account you removed was set as your default payment method, PayPal will automatically switch to another linked method for future transactions. If it was your only linked payment method, you will need to add a new one before you can send money.
You can re-add the same bank account to your PayPal wallet at any time. You will need to go through the verification process again if more than a few months have passed.
Removing a bank account vs. unlinking from your bank
Removing an account from your PayPal wallet is different from revoking PayPal's access at your bank. When you delete the account from PayPal, it disappears from your wallet but PayPal may still have permission to access that account at your bank.
If you want to fully revoke PayPal's access — so it cannot initiate any transfers or pull any money — you need to do that through your bank's settings, not through PayPal. Log into your bank's website or app, find the section for connected apps or third-party access (often under Security or Settings), and revoke PayPal's permission there. This is a good idea if you no longer plan to use that bank account with PayPal.
What to do if you cannot remove the account
If you have waited for pending transfers to complete and verification deposits to be confirmed, but the delete button still does not appear, the account may be under review or flagged for a security reason. Contact PayPal support through your account. Go to Help, then Resolution Center, and select Contact Us. Describe the account you want to remove and ask why the delete option is unavailable.
PayPal support can usually remove an account for you if there is a technical issue or if the account is locked for a legitimate reason. Response time is typically one to three business days through the Resolution Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing a bank account close my PayPal account?
No. Removing a bank account only deletes that one payment method from your wallet. Your PayPal account stays open and active. You can still send and receive money through other linked cards or accounts.
Can I remove a bank account if money is being transferred to it?
No. PayPal blocks removal while a transfer is pending. Wait for the transfer to complete (usually one to three business days), then the delete button will reappear and you can remove the account.
What if I accidentally removed the wrong bank account?
You can re-add it when ready. Go to your Wallet, click the option to add a new payment method, and enter the bank account details again. You will need to verify it with the two small deposits PayPal sends, which takes a few business days.
Do I need to tell my bank that I removed PayPal?
Not required, but it is a good idea to revoke PayPal's access through your bank's app or website if you do not plan to use that account with PayPal again. This prevents PayPal from initiating transfers even if you re-add the account later.