How To Delete PayPal Accounts: A Step-by-Step Guide
Written by
Sarah Sharkey
Edited by
Elizabeth Constantineau
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With so many ways to easily send and receive money, it might make spending just a little too convenient. If you are currently trying to build your bank account as opposed to depleting it, sometimes you have to take the temptation away through how you pay.
Whether you are looking to change your spending habits or prefer a different payment platform, you might be wondering how to delete PayPal accounts. The process is simple, but there are a few steps you’ll need to follow.
What To Do Before Deleting Your PayPal Account
Before you can close your PayPal account, you’ll need to tie up some loose ends. Use the guidelines below to get started.
Check for Pending Transactions
First things first, log into your PayPal account to check for pending transactions. Make sure that all payments, withdrawals and transfers are complete.
If you have any pending transactions, you might need to wait for those to clear before closing your account.
Withdraw Any Remaining Balance
If you have a balance in your PayPal account, set up a transfer of funds to your bank account or other payment method. When you close your account with funds left over, you might never see those funds again.
With that, it’s very important to make sure all of your funds are moved out of your PayPal account before you proceed with shutting it down.
Cancel Any Active Subscriptions or Recurring Payments
If you have any active subscriptions or recurring payments that come through your PayPal account, you’ll need to eliminate them.
Take a look at your transaction history to spot any ongoing payments from your PayPal account. If you spot a subscription, head to that provider to either cancel the subscription or update your payment information to a new source, like your bank account.
Removed Linked Bank Accounts and Cards
Finally, you’ll need to remove any linked bank accounts and cards from your PayPal account. You can do this by logging into your PayPal account, heading to your settings and removing your linked payment methods.
How To Delete PayPal Account: Step-by-Step Guide
After a bit of spring cleaning, it’s time to move forward with closing your PayPal account. First, log in to your account and look for the account tab on the PayPal website or app. Then follow these steps to close your PayPal account.
On Desktop Through the Website
- Step one: In the top right corner, click on the gear icon to go into the settings menu.
- Step two: Under “Account options” click “Close your account.”
- Step three: Select the “Close account” button.
On the Mobile App
In either format, you may need to answer some questions to finalize your account closure.
Reasons You May Not Be Able To Close Your PayPal Account
Though closing and deleting your PayPal account is pretty straightforward, there may be a few hang-ups you have to take care of first. Here are some factors you might have to resolve before closing your account.
- Remaining balance: Any money you have left in your PayPal balance has to be transferred to your linked bank account.
- Unresolved issues: If there have been any disputes over payments with someone you’ve sent money to or received money from that are open, those will have to be resolved.
- Pending payments: Any payments that haven’t been processed yet could hinder you from being able to close your account. In this case, you’ll have to wait until they clear.
What Happens After You Delete Your PayPal Account?
When your PayPal account is deleted, some of the consequences include:
- Loss of transaction history: You can’t double-check previous transactions through your newly-deleted PayPal account.
- No access to payment records: You cannot prove that you’d paid a merchant. If possible, download your transaction history before deleting your account.
Generally, your PayPal account is deleted within a few hours or business days. But if you have pending transactions or an outstanding balance, you cannot close your PayPal account until those are resolved.
If you run into any issues, you can reach out to PayPal’s customer service to find out more about your unique situation.
Alternative Payment Methods To Consider
PayPal is one way to manage funds. But there are other ways to send and receive funds after you delete your PayPal account. Consider the following digital payment platforms:
Conclusion
If you’re ready to move on from PayPal, following the steps outlined in this guide will help you complete the process. Knowing how to delete PayPal account properly ensures that your funds and transaction history are managed before closing it permanently.
FAQ
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about how to delete PayPal accounts.- Can I delete my PayPal account if I have pending transactions?
- If you have pending transactions, you cannot close your PayPal account. You'll need to withdraw any funds and wait for pending transactions to clear before you can close your account.
- What happens to my PayPal balance after I close my account?
- You can move your PayPal balance to a linked bank account or request a check when you close your PayPal account.
- Can I reactivate my PayPal account after deleting it?
- No, if you delete your PayPal account, you cannot reactivate it.
- How long does it take to close a PayPal account?
- It's fairly quick to request closing your PayPal account. The actual closure of your account might not go through for several business days or until any pending transactions are cleared.
- Can I delete my PayPal account from the mobile app?
- Yes, you can close your PayPal account from within the mobile app.
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
