How to cancel your PayPal account

You can close your PayPal account through your account settings in a few minutes. PayPal will let you cancel as long as your account balance is zero and you have no pending transactions. If you have money in your account, you'll need to transfer it out first — either to a linked bank account or by requesting a check. Once the account is closed, you won't be able to use it to send or receive money, and PayPal will delete your transaction history after a set period.

The process is straightforward, but timing matters. If you're waiting for a refund or a payment that hasn't cleared yet, you'll need to wait until that transaction completes before you can close the account.

Key Takeaways

  • Your PayPal account balance must be zero before you can close it — transfer any remaining money to your bank account or request a check first.
  • You access the cancellation option through Account Settings under the Close Your Account section on the PayPal website or app.
  • Pending transactions, open disputes, or active subscriptions will block account closure until they're resolved.
  • After you close your account, PayPal keeps your transaction records for a limited time before deleting them permanently.
  • If you change your mind, you can reopen a closed account within a certain window, though policies vary by region.

Check your account balance and pending transactions

Before you start the cancellation process, log into your PayPal account and go to your Wallet or Summary page. Look at your available balance — it must show zero dollars. If you have money sitting in your account, you'll need to move it out first.

Also check for any transactions that are still processing. This includes pending payments you've sent, payments waiting to arrive, refunds in progress, or money held by PayPal while a dispute is open. You can see these under your Activity or Transaction History. Wait for all pending items to complete before you proceed with closing the account.

Transfer your remaining balance to a bank account

If your PayPal balance isn't zero, the fastest way to empty it is to transfer the money to a linked bank account. Go to your Wallet, select your bank account from the list of linked accounts, and choose Transfer Money. Enter the amount you want to move — you can transfer your entire balance at once. The transfer usually takes one to three business days to show up in your bank account.

If you don't have a bank account linked to PayPal, you can add one before you transfer. You'll need your routing number and account number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website. Alternatively, if you prefer not to link a bank account, you can request that PayPal send you a check for your balance, though this takes longer — typically one to two weeks.

Cancel any active subscriptions or recurring payments

If you have any subscriptions or automatic payments set up through PayPal — like a monthly service, donation, or gym membership — you need to cancel those before you close your account. Go to Settings, then Payments, and look for Manage Automatic Payments. You'll see a list of all active recurring charges. Click on each one and select Cancel.

Canceling these subscriptions stops future charges and removes the blocks that would prevent your account from closing. If you forget to cancel a subscription, PayPal won't let you close the account, and you'll have to go back and remove it before trying again.

Go to Account Settings and close your account

Once your balance is zero and all pending items are cleared, log into PayPal and go to Settings. On the website, click the gear icon in the top right. On the mobile app, tap the menu icon and select Settings. Look for the Account section and find the option that says Close Your Account or Permanently Close Account — the exact wording varies by region.

Click that option and PayPal will ask you to confirm. You may see a reason dropdown asking why you're leaving — this is optional. Read the confirmation message carefully: it will tell you what happens to your data and how long PayPal keeps your records. Once you confirm, your account closes when ready.

What happens to your data after closure

PayPal doesn't delete your information right away. The company keeps your transaction history and account details for a period of time that varies by region and the reason for closure — typically several years. This is partly for tax records and partly to handle any disputes or chargebacks that come in after you've closed the account.

You won't be able to log in or access your account once it's closed, but PayPal can still pull up your records if needed. If you want to know exactly how long your data is retained in your region, you can contact PayPal's customer service and ask about their data retention policy.

Reopen your account if you change your mind

If you close your account and then decide you want it back, you may be able to reopen it. The window to reopen varies — some regions allow it within 180 days, others have different timeframes. To reopen, you can try logging in with your old email and password, and PayPal may give you the option to restore the account.

If that doesn't work, contact PayPal customer service and explain that you want to reopen a recently closed account. They can tell you whether it's still possible and walk you through the steps. Keep in mind that if too much time has passed, you may need to create a new account instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I have a pending refund when I try to close my account?

You'll need to wait for the refund to complete before PayPal will let you close the account. Check your Activity page to see the expected arrival date. Once the refund lands in your account, transfer it to your bank account or request a check, then proceed with closing.

Can I close my account if I have an open dispute?

No. PayPal won't close an account while a dispute or claim is active. You'll need to wait for the dispute to be resolved — either decided by PayPal or settled between you and the other party. Once it's closed, you can then close your account.

Will closing my account affect my credit score?

Closing a PayPal account does not affect your credit score. PayPal is not a credit provider, and account closure is not reported to credit bureaus. Your credit history remains unchanged.

Do I need to unlink my bank account before closing PayPal?

You don't have to unlink your bank account, but you can if you want to. If you leave it linked, PayPal will keep the connection on file even after your account is closed. Unlinking it is optional and won't speed up the closure process.

What if I forgot my password and can't log in to close my account?

Use the Forgot Password link on the PayPal login page to reset it. If you no longer have access to the email address associated with your account, contact PayPal customer service and explain the situation. They can help you regain access or close the account on your behalf.