You can unlink a bank account from PayPal in your account settings, and it takes about five minutes
Go to your PayPal account, select Wallet or Money (depending on whether you use the app or website), find the bank account you want to remove, and click the delete or remove option next to it. PayPal will ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, the link is severed — PayPal can no longer pull money from that account or send money to it.
The process is straightforward, but timing matters. If you have a pending transfer to or from that bank account, you may need to wait for it to complete before you can unlink. If you're trying to unlink because of fraud or unauthorized access, there are faster steps to take.
Key Takeaways
- Unlinking a bank account through your PayPal settings takes about five minutes and stops all future transfers to and from that account.
- Pending transfers must complete before you can unlink the account, which usually takes one to three business days.
- If your account has been compromised, contact PayPal's Resolution Center when ready rather than waiting to unlink through settings.
- Unlinking does not close your PayPal account or affect your ability to receive payments through other methods.
- After unlinking, you can link a different bank account at any time using the same Wallet or Money section.
Step-by-step: Unlinking on the website
Log into PayPal.com with your username and password. Click the gear icon in the top right corner and select Account Settings. On the left menu, click Wallet. You will see a list of all payment methods linked to your account — bank accounts, debit cards, and credit cards.
Find the bank account you want to remove. Next to it, you should see three dots or a menu icon. Click it and select Remove or Delete (the exact wording varies). PayPal will ask you to confirm that you want to remove this payment method. Click Yes, remove it or the equivalent button. The account is now unlinked.
If you do not see a remove option, the account may have a pending transaction. Wait for the transfer to complete, then try again. You can check pending transfers in the same Wallet section — they usually show a status like "Processing" or "Pending."
Step-by-step: Unlinking on the mobile app
Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Tap Wallet or Money depending on your app version. Scroll to find the bank account you want to unlink. Tap the account name or the three dots next to it.
Select Remove, Delete, or Unlink. Confirm when PayPal asks you to verify. The account is now removed from your PayPal wallet. You can link a new bank account anytime by tapping the plus icon or Add a bank account button in the same section.
What happens to pending transfers when you unlink
If you have a transfer in progress to or from the bank account you want to unlink, PayPal will not let you remove it until the transfer completes. Transfers typically take one to three business days. You can check the status of any pending transfer in your Activity or Transaction History section.
If a transfer is stuck or shows an error, contact PayPal's customer service before attempting to unlink. A stuck transfer can sometimes prevent you from removing the account, and PayPal may need to cancel it first. Once the transfer is complete or cancelled, the unlink option will become available.
If your account was compromised or used fraudulently
Do not wait to unlink through your settings. Instead, go to the Resolution Center on PayPal.com and report the unauthorized transaction or account access. Click Report a Problem and describe what happened. PayPal can freeze your account and unlink payment methods when ready while they investigate.
You can also call PayPal's fraud line at the number on the back of your PayPal debit card or on your account statement. Have your account details and the fraudulent transaction information ready. PayPal will walk you through securing your account and can unlink the compromised bank account right away, even if there are pending transfers.
After you report fraud, check your linked bank account directly through your bank's website or app to make sure no unauthorized transfers are still pending. If you see suspicious activity on your bank account itself, contact your bank when ready — they have separate fraud protections and may be able to reverse transfers that PayPal cannot.
What unlinking does and does not do
Unlinking a bank account stops PayPal from accessing it. You will no longer be able to transfer money from that account into PayPal, and PayPal will no longer be able to send refunds or transfers to it. If you have a PayPal debit card, it will no longer be able to pull from that bank account.
Unlinking does not close your PayPal account. You can still receive payments, use PayPal Credit, or send money using other payment methods you have linked. It also does not affect your bank account itself — the account remains open and functional at your bank. You are only breaking the connection between PayPal and that specific account.
If you want to unlink all payment methods and close your PayPal account entirely, that is a separate process. You would need to go to Account Settings, scroll to the bottom, and look for a Close Account option. PayPal will ask you to confirm and may require you to resolve any outstanding balances first.
Relinking a bank account later
You can link the same bank account back to PayPal at any time. Go to Wallet, click Add a payment method or the plus icon, and select Link a bank account. Enter your bank's routing number and your account number, or let PayPal connect to your bank directly through a find login.
PayPal will verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under one dollar) into the account. You will need to confirm those amounts in your PayPal settings within a few days. Once confirmed, the account is linked and ready to use. This process takes about one to two business days from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will unlinking my bank account affect my credit score?
No. Unlinking a bank account from PayPal does not affect your credit score. Your bank account and credit history are separate from your PayPal payment methods. Credit bureaus only see credit-related activity, not which accounts you link to digital wallets.
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 without touching your PayPal balance. If you want to move your PayPal balance to a different bank account, you can transfer it to any linked account before or after unlinking the original one.
What if PayPal says I cannot remove the account?
The most common reason is a pending transfer. Wait one to three business days for it to complete, then try again. If the message persists, contact PayPal's customer service — there may be a hold on your account or a dispute that needs to be resolved first.
Do I need to notify my bank when I unlink from PayPal?
No. Your bank does not need to know. Unlinking only breaks the connection on PayPal's side. Your bank account remains open and active. However, if you are unlinking because of fraud, contact your bank directly to report it and ask them to monitor the account for suspicious activity.
Can someone else unlink my bank account if they have access to my PayPal?
Yes, which is why account security matters. If someone gains access to your PayPal account, they can unlink your bank account or link a new one. If you suspect unauthorized access, change your password when ready, enable two-factor authentication, and review your linked payment methods in your Wallet section.