You can unlink a bank account from PayPal in your account settings in under a minute
Go to your PayPal account, select Wallet from the menu, find the bank account you want to remove, and click the three dots next to it. Choose Remove and confirm. The account is gone from your PayPal wallet when ready, though any pending transfers may still process.
You do not need to contact PayPal support to do this. The process is the same whether you linked the account for sending money, receiving deposits, or as a backup payment method. If you have forgotten your password or cannot access your account, you will need to reset it first—but the removal itself takes seconds once you are logged in.
Key Takeaways
- Bank accounts unlink when ready from your PayPal wallet through the Wallet menu, with no waiting period or support ticket required.
- Pending transfers to or from that bank account may still complete even after you remove it, so check your activity before unlinking.
- Removing a bank account does not close your PayPal account or affect any other linked payment methods.
- If you want to stop PayPal from using a bank account as your default payment method without removing it entirely, you can change your default instead.
Step-by-step removal process
Log into your PayPal account on a computer or the mobile app. On the website, click Wallet in the top menu. On the app, tap the Wallet icon at the bottom. You will see a list of all linked payment methods—credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts.
Find the bank account you want to remove. Next to it, you will see three vertical dots (sometimes called a menu icon). Click or tap those dots. A small menu will appear with options including Remove. Click Remove. PayPal will ask you to confirm—click Remove again. The account is now unlinked.
The entire process takes about 30 seconds. You do not need to provide a reason, and PayPal does not send you a confirmation email unless you have notifications turned on in your settings.
What happens to pending transfers when you unlink
If you have a transfer in progress to or from that bank account, it will still complete. PayPal processes transfers in batches, usually overnight or within one to three business days depending on your bank. Unlinking the account does not stop a transfer that has already been submitted.
Before you remove a bank account, check your Activity or Transaction History to see if any transfers are pending. If you see a transfer that has not yet arrived at your bank, wait until it clears before unlinking. If you unlink by accident and a transfer is still in flight, you cannot retrieve it—it will go to the bank account that was linked at the time you initiated the transfer, not to a new one.
Removing versus changing your default payment method
If you want to keep the bank account linked but stop PayPal from using it as your primary way to pay, you can change your default payment method instead of removing it. Go to Wallet, find the bank account, click the three dots, and select Make Default next to a different payment method (a credit card, for example). PayPal will use that method first the next time you send money.
This is useful if you want to keep the account on file for backup purposes but prefer to spend from a credit card or a different bank account. Removing the account is the right choice only if you no longer want PayPal to have access to it at all.
Why you might want to unlink a bank account
You may unlink a bank account because you closed it at your bank, switched banks, or no longer want PayPal to have access to your account number and routing information. Removing it from PayPal does not close the bank account itself—that happens only at your bank. But it does prevent PayPal from initiating any new transfers to or from that account.
If your bank account was compromised or you suspect fraud, removing it from PayPal is a good first step. However, you should also contact your bank directly to report the issue and ask them to monitor the account for unauthorized activity. PayPal's fraud team can also help if you believe someone used your PayPal account without permission.
If you cannot find the bank account in your Wallet
Sometimes a bank account does not appear in your Wallet even though you linked it before. This can happen if the account was already removed, if you are looking in the wrong section, or if the account was deactivated by PayPal due to inactivity or a failed verification.
Check that you are in the Wallet section, not Settings or Security. If the account still does not appear, it may have been removed already. You can also search your email for messages from PayPal about that account—if PayPal deactivated it, they usually send a notice. If you believe the account should be there and it is not, contact PayPal support through the Help menu in your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does unlinking a bank account close my PayPal account?
No. Removing a bank account only removes that one payment method from your wallet. Your PayPal account stays open, and any other linked cards or bank accounts remain active. You can still send and receive money using other payment methods.
Can I re-link the same bank account later?
Yes. You can link the same bank account again at any time by going to Wallet, clicking Link a Bank Account, and entering your account and routing numbers. PayPal may ask you to verify the account again by depositing small amounts or confirming a code, depending on your account history.
What if I unlink a bank account by mistake?
You can re-link it when ready using the same process as above. If a transfer was in progress when you unlinked it, the transfer will still go through to the account that was linked when you started the transfer, not to a new account you link afterward.
Will PayPal notify my bank that I removed the account?
No. Unlinking from PayPal does not send any message to your bank. Your bank will not know that you removed PayPal's access unless you tell them. If you are concerned about PayPal having your account information, you can contact your bank separately to revoke PayPal's authorization.
Can I unlink a bank account if I have a PayPal Credit line or loan?
You can unlink the account from your wallet, but if that account is set up as your primary payment method for PayPal Credit or a loan, you may need to change your payment method first. Contact PayPal support if you are unsure whether the account is tied to an active credit product.