The steps to unlink a bank account from Stripe
To unlink a bank account from Stripe, log into your Stripe Dashboard, go to Settings, then select Linked Accounts or Bank Accounts (the exact name depends on your account type). Find the account you want to remove and click the delete or remove button next to it. Stripe will ask you to confirm the action. Once confirmed, the account is unlinked when ready and Stripe will no longer be able to pull funds from or send payouts to that account.
The process takes less than a minute. You do not need to contact Stripe support unless the delete button is missing or greyed out, which usually means the account is still processing a transaction or payout.
If you are unlinking because you want to use a different bank account for payouts, you can add a new one right after removing the old one. Stripe will verify the new account within one to two business days before you can use it for payouts.
Key Takeaways
- Unlinking a bank account happens in your Stripe Dashboard under Settings, and takes effect when ready.
- You cannot unlink an account if a payout is currently processing to it — wait for the payout to complete first.
- Removing a bank account does not delete your Stripe account or affect your transaction history.
- If you are switching to a new bank account, add the new one before removing the old one to avoid gaps in your payout method.
- Stripe will not send future payouts to an unlinked account, but past transactions and records remain in your account history.
When you cannot unlink an account right away
If the delete button is greyed out or missing, Stripe is likely processing a payout to that account. Payouts typically take one to two business days to complete. Once the payout clears, the delete button will become active and you can unlink the account.
In rare cases, an account may be locked if Stripe's fraud or compliance team is reviewing it. If you see a message saying the account is restricted or under review, you will need to contact Stripe support through your Dashboard. They can tell you whether the review is temporary and when you will be able to unlink it.
What happens to pending payouts when you unlink
If you unlink a bank account while a payout is scheduled but not yet sent, that payout will fail. Stripe will hold the funds and attempt to resend the payout to your default bank account (if you have one set up). If you do not have another bank account linked, the funds will remain in your Stripe balance until you link a new account.
To avoid this, always wait for any pending payouts to complete before unlinking. You can check your payout schedule in the Payouts section of your Dashboard — it shows you which account each payout is going to and when it will arrive.
Unlinking does not affect your transaction history
Removing a bank account from Stripe does not erase any past transactions, refunds, or payouts. Your full transaction history stays in your Stripe account and remains visible in your Dashboard. You can still read statements or dispute old transactions even after unlinking the account they were paid to.
If you need to reference a payout that went to the account you just unlinked, go to the Payouts section and filter by date or status. The payout record will still be there with the account details it was sent to.
Adding a new bank account after unlinking
After you unlink an account, you can add a new one when ready. Go to Settings, select Linked Accounts or Bank Accounts, and click Add Account. You will need to provide your bank's routing number, your account number, and the account type (checking or savings). Stripe will verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) to your bank account.
Verification takes one to two business days. During that time, you can see the new account in your Dashboard but cannot use it for payouts yet. Once verified, Stripe will mark it as active and you can set it as your default payout account.
If you want to pause payouts instead of unlinking
If you are unlinking because you want to stop payouts temporarily, consider pausing your payouts instead. In your Stripe Dashboard, go to Settings and look for Payout Schedule. You can change your payout frequency to manual, which means Stripe will hold your balance until you request a payout. This keeps your bank account linked but gives you control over when money leaves your Stripe account.
Manual payouts are useful if you want to batch multiple days of transactions together or if you are between bank accounts. You can switch back to automatic payouts (daily, weekly, or monthly) at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will unlinking a bank account close my Stripe account?
No. Unlinking a bank account only removes that account from your payout methods. Your Stripe account, all your transaction history, and your ability to accept payments remain unchanged. You can continue to use Stripe as long as you have at least one active bank account linked for payouts.
Can I unlink a bank account if I have a balance in my Stripe account?
Yes, you can unlink the account. However, if that is your only linked bank account, your balance will stay in Stripe until you link a new account. Once you add a new account and it is verified, you can request a payout of your balance to that account.
What if I unlink the wrong bank account by mistake?
You can link it again when ready by going to Settings and adding the account. You will need to provide the routing number and account number again, and Stripe will verify it with two small deposits. There is no penalty for unlinking and relinking the same account.
Does Stripe charge a fee to unlink a bank account?
No. Unlinking a bank account is free. Stripe does not charge for adding, removing, or changing your linked bank accounts.
How long does it take for Stripe to stop sending payouts to an unlinked account?
when ready. Once you confirm the unlink action, Stripe will not send any new payouts to that account. Any payouts already in progress will complete, but no future payouts will go there.