Close Your PayPal Account in Three Steps

To close your PayPal account, you log in, navigate to your account settings, and select the option to close the account. PayPal will ask you to confirm, and the account closes when ready. You cannot reopen a closed account, so make sure your balance is zero and you have no pending transactions before you proceed.

The process takes about five minutes. You do not need to contact PayPal support unless your account is limited or restricted — in those cases, you must resolve the restriction before closing is an option.

Key Takeaways

  • Your PayPal account must have a zero balance before you can close it; any remaining money must be transferred to your bank account or kept in the account.
  • Any pending payments, open disputes, or active subscriptions will block the closure and must be cancelled or resolved first.
  • Once closed, your account cannot be reopened, so you cannot recover transaction history or use the same email address to create a new account for 180 days.
  • If your account is limited or restricted by PayPal, you must contact support to lift the restriction before you can close it.

Check Your Account Balance and Pending Activity

Before you close your account, log into PayPal and check your account balance. If you have money in your PayPal wallet, you must move it. Go to your Wallet, select your PayPal balance, and choose "Transfer to your bank." PayPal will move the money within one to three business days, depending on your bank.

While you are in your account, look for any pending transactions. Check your Activity page for payments that are still processing or awaiting confirmation. If you have an open dispute or a claim filed against you, that must be resolved before you can close the account. Cancel any active subscriptions or recurring payments you have set up through PayPal — these will block closure.

Navigate to Account Settings and Find the Close Account Option

Log into your PayPal account on the website (the mobile app does not have a close account option). Click the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings. Select "Account" from the left menu, then scroll down to find "Close your account." Click that link.

PayPal will show you a confirmation screen that lists what happens when you close: your account will be permanently closed, you will lose access to your transaction history, and you cannot use the same email address to open a new account for 180 days. Read this screen carefully, because closure is permanent.

Confirm the Closure and Understand What Happens Next

Click the button to confirm closure. PayPal will ask you to enter your password one more time as a final check. Once you do, your account closes when ready. You will receive a confirmation email at the address associated with your account.

After closure, you lose access to all PayPal services tied to that account. If you have linked PayPal to other apps or websites (like eBay, Etsy, or Shopify), those connections will break. You will need to update your payment method on those sites if you want to continue using them. Any refunds or chargebacks that come in after closure will be rejected.

What to Do If Your Account Is Limited or Restricted

If PayPal has limited or restricted your account, the close account option will not appear in your settings. A limited account means PayPal has placed temporary restrictions on what you can do — usually because of unusual activity, a dispute, or a violation of their terms. A restricted account is more serious and usually means PayPal suspects fraud or a policy violation.

You must contact PayPal support to lift the restriction before you can close the account. Go to the Resolution Center in your account, or call PayPal's support line. Explain that you want to close your account and ask what steps are needed to remove the restriction. This process can take several days to several weeks, depending on the reason for the restriction.

Recover Your Data Before Closing

PayPal does not provide a way to read your transaction history after your account is closed. If you need records of past transactions for taxes, accounting, or a dispute, read them before you close. Log into your account, go to Activity, and look for a read or export option. You can usually export the last 90 days of activity directly; for older transactions, you may need to contact support.

If you are closing because of a dispute or chargeback, keep records of all communications with PayPal and the other party. These records will not be available through PayPal after closure, so save them to your computer or email them to yourself.

Reopen Your Account or Create a New One

You cannot reopen a closed PayPal account. If you change your mind within a few days, contact PayPal support when ready — they may be able to reverse the closure if you reach them quickly enough. After that window closes, the account is gone for good.

You can create a new PayPal account using a different email address right away. However, if you want to use the same email address, you must wait 180 days after closure. During that waiting period, PayPal will not allow you to create a new account with that email.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my PayPal credit or PayPal working capital loan if I close my account?

If you have an active PayPal Credit line or a working capital loan, you cannot close your account until the balance is paid off. Contact PayPal to set up a payment plan if you cannot pay the full balance when ready. Once the loan is paid, you can proceed with closure.

Can I close my account if I have a pending refund?

No. You must wait for the refund to arrive in your account first. Once the refund is there, transfer it to your bank or leave it in your account, then close. If the refund is delayed, contact the seller or PayPal support to track it down before you attempt closure.

Will closing my PayPal account affect my credit score?

Closing your PayPal account itself does not affect your credit score. However, if you have an unpaid PayPal Credit balance, that debt will be reported to credit bureaus and will hurt your score. Pay off any credit balance before closing to avoid this.

Can I close my business PayPal account the same way?

The process is similar, but business accounts have additional requirements. You must settle any outstanding invoices, cancel any active payment plans, and may support your business information is current. If your business account is in good standing, you can close it through Settings the same way as a personal account.

What if I forgot the password to my PayPal account?

You can still close your account, but you will need to reset your password first. Go to the PayPal login page, click "Forgot password?", and follow the steps to reset it using your email address. Once you have access to your account again, you can proceed with closure.