You can unlink a bank account from PayPal in a few minutes through your account settings
Unlinking a bank account from PayPal means PayPal will no longer have permission to pull money from that account or deposit money into it. The process is straightforward: you log in, find the bank account in your wallet, and remove it. PayPal does not charge a fee to unlink, and the account itself stays open — you are only breaking the connection between PayPal and that specific bank.
The main reason to unlink is security: if you close a bank account, change banks, or no longer want PayPal to access an account, removing the link prevents accidental or unauthorized charges. You might also unlink if you have multiple bank accounts linked and want to keep only one active with PayPal.
Key Takeaways
- Log into PayPal on a computer or phone, go to Wallet, and select the bank account you want to remove.
- Click the option to unlink or remove the account — PayPal will ask you to confirm before deleting the connection.
- Your bank account itself is not closed or changed; only the link to PayPal is severed.
- If you have pending transfers to or from that account, they will complete before the account is fully unlinked.
- You can relink the same bank account later if you change your mind, though you may need to verify it again.
Steps to unlink a bank account on a computer
Open PayPal in a web browser and log in with your email and password. Once you are in your account, look for the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner, or click on your name in the top right. From there, select Wallet or Account Settings — the exact wording depends on your PayPal version, but both lead to the same place.
In the Wallet section, you will see a list of all payment methods linked to your account, including bank accounts, debit cards, and credit cards. Find the bank account you want to remove and click on it. A details panel will open showing the account number (usually partially hidden for security) and options to manage it. Look for a button or link that says Remove, Unlink, or Delete — again, the exact label varies. Click it.
PayPal will ask you to confirm that you want to remove this account. Read the confirmation message to make sure you are removing the right account, then click Yes or Confirm. The account will be unlinked when ready, and you will see it disappear from your Wallet list.
Steps to unlink a bank account on a phone or tablet
Open the PayPal app and log in. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen on most phones, or at the top left on some versions. Select Wallet from the menu.
Scroll through your linked payment methods until you find the bank account you want to remove. Tap on it to open the account details. You should see options to manage the account — look for Remove, Unlink, or a three-dot menu icon that opens more options. Tap the remove or unlink option.
PayPal will ask you to confirm. Tap Yes or Confirm, and the account will be unlinked from your PayPal wallet.
What happens to pending transfers when you unlink
If you have a transfer in progress — money you sent to that bank account or money PayPal is about to pull from it — the transfer will complete before the account is fully unlinked. PayPal does not cancel transfers just because you removed the account from your wallet.
This means if you sent money to that bank account yesterday and it is still processing, it will arrive even after you unlink the account. Similarly, if PayPal was scheduled to pull money from that account for a payment you made, that pull will go through. Once all pending activity clears, the account is completely disconnected.
Relinking the same bank account later
If you unlink a bank account and then decide you want to use it with PayPal again, you can add it back. Go to Wallet, select the option to add a new payment method, and enter the bank account details again. PayPal may ask you to verify the account by depositing small amounts into it (usually two small deposits of a few cents each) or by confirming a code sent to your bank's website.
The verification step depends on PayPal's security rules at the time you relink. Sometimes it is when ready; sometimes it takes a few business days. You will not be able to use the account for transfers until verification is complete.
Why you might want to unlink instead of just not using the account
You might think: "I will just leave it linked and not use it." That works in most cases, but unlinking is safer if the account is no longer active or if you are concerned about security. If your bank account is closed and PayPal tries to pull money from it, the transaction will fail and you may see error messages or holds on your PayPal account.
Unlinking also reduces the number of places that have access to your bank account. The fewer services with permission to move money from your account, the smaller the risk if one of those services is compromised. If you have changed banks or closed an account, unlinking is the cleaner choice.
Troubleshooting: the account will not unlink
If you try to unlink an account and PayPal will not let you, the most common reason is that a transfer is still processing. Wait a few business days for all pending activity to clear, then try again.
Another reason is that the account is set as your primary payment method for automatic payments or subscriptions. If you have a recurring payment tied to that account, PayPal may not let you unlink it until you change the payment method for that subscription. Go to your subscriptions or recurring payments section, select the subscription, and change the payment method to a different card or account. Then try unlinking the bank account again.
If neither of those applies and the account still will not unlink, contact PayPal's support team through the Help section of your account. They can see if there is a technical issue or a hold on the account that is preventing removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does unlinking a bank account close the account at my bank?
No. Unlinking only removes PayPal's permission to access the account. Your bank account stays open and active. If you want to close the account, you need to contact your bank directly.
Can I unlink a bank account if I have a PayPal balance?
Yes. Your PayPal balance and your linked bank accounts are separate. You can unlink a bank account whether you have money in your PayPal wallet or not. If you want to move your PayPal balance to a different bank account, you will need to link that account first, then transfer the money, then unlink the old account.
What if I unlink my only bank account?
PayPal will still work, but you will not be able to transfer money to a bank account until you link one. You can still receive payments and hold a balance in your PayPal wallet. If you want to move money out of PayPal later, you will need to add a bank account again.
How long does it take to unlink a bank account?
The unlink happens when ready once you confirm it. You will see the account disappear from your Wallet right away. Any pending transfers will still complete, but the account itself is no longer connected to PayPal.
Can I unlink a bank account if there is a dispute or claim against it?
If PayPal is investigating a transaction or holding funds related to that account, you may not be able to unlink it until the investigation closes. Contact PayPal support to find out the status of any holds or disputes before trying to remove the account.