You can remove a bank account from PayPal in a few clicks, but understand what happens first
Removing a bank account from PayPal stops PayPal from being able to pull money from that account or send money to it. The account itself stays open at your bank — you are only disconnecting it from PayPal. If you have a PayPal balance, you will need another way to move that money out before you delete the bank account, because PayPal cannot send it anywhere once the account is gone.
The steps are the same whether you are using PayPal on a computer or phone. You go into your wallet, find the bank account in your list of payment methods, and select the option to remove it. PayPal does not ask you to confirm or explain why. Once it is deleted, you cannot undo it from PayPal's side — you would have to add the account again from scratch if you change your mind.
Key Takeaways
- Removing a bank account from PayPal disconnects it from your wallet but does not close your bank account itself.
- You must move any PayPal balance to another payment method before deleting your only bank account, because PayPal cannot send money to an account that is no longer linked.
- The deletion is permanent on PayPal's end, but you can re-add the same bank account later if you need to.
- If you are removing the account because of fraud or a security concern, contact PayPal support first to report the issue.
Steps to remove a bank account on a computer
Log into your PayPal account and go to the Wallet section. You will see a list of all your payment methods — credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts. Find the bank account you want to remove and click on it to open its details.
Once the account details open, look for a menu icon (usually three dots or lines) or a link that says "Remove" or "Delete". Click that option. PayPal will ask you to confirm that you want to remove the account. Click confirm, and the account is deleted from your wallet when ready.
Steps to remove a bank account on the PayPal app
Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen. Tap "Wallet" to see all your payment methods. Find the bank account you want to remove and tap on it.
Tap the menu icon next to the account (three dots) and select "Remove" or "Delete". PayPal will ask you to confirm. Tap confirm, and the account is removed from your wallet right away.
What to do with your PayPal balance before you delete
If you have money sitting in your PayPal account, you cannot leave it there and then delete your only bank account. PayPal needs a way to send that money somewhere. Before you delete the bank account, move your balance to another payment method — either a different bank account, a debit card, or a credit card that is already linked to PayPal.
To transfer your balance, go to your Wallet, select "Transfer Money", and choose where you want the money to go. The transfer usually takes one to three business days. Once the money is out, you can safely delete the bank account.
If you are removing the account because of fraud or security concerns
If someone else used your bank account without permission, or if you think your PayPal account has been compromised, do not just delete the bank account and move on. Contact PayPal support first and report the fraud. PayPal can flag the account, review the transactions, and help you dispute any charges that were not yours.
You can reach PayPal support through the Resolution Center in your account, or by calling the number on the back of your PayPal debit card if you have one. Have your bank account number and the dates of any suspicious transactions ready when you contact them.
What happens after you delete the bank account
Once the account is deleted, PayPal cannot pull money from it or send money to it. If someone tries to use your PayPal account to make a purchase and your other payment methods fail, the transaction will not go through — PayPal will not fall back to the deleted bank account.
If you linked that bank account to other services besides PayPal (like a bill payment app or a paycheck deposit service), deleting it from PayPal does not affect those connections. You would have to remove it from those services separately if you want to disconnect it completely.
How to add the bank account back if you change your mind
If you delete a bank account and later decide you need it again, you can add it back to PayPal. Go to your Wallet, select "Link a Bank Account", and enter the account number, routing number, and other details again. PayPal will verify the account the same way it did the first time — usually by depositing two small amounts and asking you to confirm them.
This verification process takes a few business days, so you cannot use the account when ready after you add it back. Plan ahead if you know you will need it soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting my bank account from PayPal affect my credit score?
No. Removing a bank account from PayPal is not reported to credit bureaus and does not show up on your credit report. Your credit score is based on your borrowing and payment history, not on which payment methods you have linked to digital wallets.
Can I delete a bank account if I have pending transactions?
PayPal will let you delete the account even if a transaction is pending, but the pending transaction may fail if it was supposed to pull from that account. If you have a transaction in progress, wait for it to complete or cancel it before you delete the bank account.
What if I delete my bank account but forget I had a PayPal balance?
Your PayPal balance does not disappear — it stays in your account. You just cannot move it out to a bank account anymore. You can still use the balance to make purchases through PayPal, or you can add a different bank account or card and transfer the balance to that instead.
Do I need to tell my bank that I am removing the account from PayPal?
No. Your bank does not know or care which apps and services have access to your account. Removing it from PayPal only affects PayPal. If you want to stop PayPal from accessing your account at the bank level, you would need to revoke PayPal's permission in your bank's app or website, but deleting it from PayPal is usually enough.
Can I delete a bank account if it is my only payment method on PayPal?
Yes, PayPal will let you delete it. But once it is gone, you will not be able to send money out of your PayPal account or make purchases unless you add another payment method first. If you have a PayPal balance, move it somewhere else before you delete your last bank account.