You can remove a bank account from PayPal in a few steps, and it does not affect your PayPal account itself

Removing a bank account from PayPal means disconnecting that specific bank from your PayPal wallet — you keep your PayPal account open, but PayPal can no longer pull money directly from or send money to that bank. This is different from closing your PayPal account entirely. You might do this if you switched banks, no longer want PayPal linked to that account, or want to use a different bank instead.

The process takes less than five minutes and you can do it from your phone or computer. PayPal does not charge you to remove a bank account, and you can add a different one whenever you want.

Key Takeaways

  • Removing a bank account from PayPal keeps your PayPal account active — only that one bank connection is deleted.
  • You can remove a bank account through the Wallet section of your PayPal account settings on any device with internet access.
  • If you have pending transfers to or from that bank account, you should wait for them to complete before removing it.
  • You can add a different bank account to PayPal at any time after removing one, using the same Wallet section.

Steps to remove a bank account on the PayPal website

Log into your PayPal account at paypal.com using your email and password. Once you are logged in, look for the gear icon (⚙) in the top right corner of the page and click it to open Settings.

From the Settings menu, click on Wallet on the left side. You will see a list of all the payment methods connected to your PayPal account — this includes bank accounts, credit cards, and debit cards. Find the bank account you want to remove and click on it to open its details.

Once you have opened that bank account's details, look for a Remove or Delete button (the exact wording can vary). Click it, and PayPal will ask you to confirm that you want to remove this bank account. Click the confirmation button, and the bank account will be disconnected from your PayPal wallet when ready.

Steps to remove a bank account on the PayPal mobile app

Open the PayPal app on your phone and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen. Tap Settings, then tap Wallet.

You will see your connected payment methods listed. Tap the bank account you want to remove. On the account details screen, scroll down until you see the Remove or Delete option and tap it. Confirm when PayPal asks you to verify the removal.

What happens to pending transfers when you remove a bank account

If you have money in the middle of transferring to or from that bank account, do not remove it yet. Removing a bank account while a transfer is pending can cause the transfer to fail, and you may have trouble recovering the money.

Before you remove a bank account, check your Activity or Transaction History to see if any transfers involving that account are still in progress. Most transfers complete within one to three business days. Wait until the transfer shows as complete before you remove the bank account.

What to do if you cannot find the remove option

If you are looking at your bank account in the Wallet section but do not see a Remove button, it may be because that account is set as your primary payment method. PayPal sometimes requires you to choose a different primary payment method before you can remove the current one.

To change your primary payment method, go to Wallet, find a different bank account or payment method you want to use instead, and look for an option that says Make Primary or Set as Default. Once you have switched the primary method, go back to the original bank account and the Remove option should appear.

Adding a different bank account after removal

Once you have removed a bank account, you can add a new one whenever you need to. Go back to Settings, click Wallet, and look for an Add Bank Account or Link a Bank button. You will need your bank's routing number and your account number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website.

PayPal will verify the new bank account by making two small deposits (usually under one dollar each) to that account. You will need to confirm the amounts of those deposits back in PayPal to complete the verification, which usually takes one to two business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does removing a bank account close my PayPal account?

No. Removing a bank account only disconnects that one bank from your PayPal wallet. Your PayPal account stays open and active, and you can still use any other payment methods you have linked to it.

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

Yes, you can remove a bank account even if you have money in your PayPal balance. The balance stays in your PayPal account. You can transfer it to a different bank account later, or use it to pay other PayPal users.

What if I remove a bank account by mistake?

You can add the same bank account back to PayPal at any time by going to Wallet and selecting Add Bank Account. You will need to verify it again with the two small deposits, which takes one to two business days.

Will removing a bank account affect my credit score?

No. Removing a bank account from PayPal has no effect on your credit score. Your credit is only affected by credit accounts (credit cards, loans) and payment history, not by digital wallet connections.

Can I remove a bank account if PayPal owes me money from a refund?

If a refund is pending to that bank account, wait for it to complete before removing the account. If you remove the account before the refund arrives, the refund may fail. Check your Activity to see the status of any pending refunds first.