PayPal deletion is permanent and takes about 180 days to complete
When you delete your PayPal account, the company removes your personal information, transaction history, and login credentials. The deletion process is not instant — PayPal keeps your data for roughly six months to handle any outstanding disputes, chargebacks, or tax records. After that period, your account is gone. You cannot undo a deletion once it starts, so make sure you have settled all transactions, withdrawn your balance, and downloaded any records you need before you begin.
Deletion is different from deactivation. A deactivated account can be reactivated if you change your mind, but a deleted account cannot. If you simply want to stop using PayPal temporarily or are unsure, deactivation is the safer choice. Deletion is permanent and should only be done when you are certain you will not need the account again.
Key Takeaways
- You must withdraw your entire PayPal balance and settle all pending transactions before you can delete your account.
- The deletion process takes approximately 180 days from the date you request it, and you cannot reverse it once started.
- Download your transaction history and any records you need before deletion, because you will lose access to them after the account is removed.
- If you have an active PayPal Credit or PayPal Working Capital loan, you must pay off the balance before deletion is possible.
- Deactivation is a temporary option that lets you stop using your account without losing the ability to reactivate it later.
Check your account balance and settle all transactions first
Before you can delete your PayPal account, your balance must be zero. Log into your account and go to your Wallet. If you have money in your PayPal balance, transfer it to your linked bank account. This usually takes one to three business days. If you have a very small balance (under $1), PayPal may not let you withdraw it — contact PayPal Support to ask about removing it.
Next, check for any pending or incomplete transactions. Go to your Activity or Transaction History and look for any payments that are still processing, on hold, or awaiting action. If you have sent money as a friend or family transfer and the recipient has not claimed it, that money is still tied to your account. You can cancel unclaimed transfers from your transaction history. If you have received money that is still pending, wait for it to clear or contact the sender to cancel it.
If you have a PayPal Credit account or a PayPal Working Capital loan, you must pay off the entire balance before deletion. These are credit products, and PayPal will not close your account while you owe money. Check your statements to confirm the balance is zero.
Download your transaction history before you lose access
Once your account is deleted, you will no longer be able to view your transaction history, invoices, or any records stored in PayPal. If you need this information for taxes, accounting, or personal records, download it now. Log into your account and go to Settings, then Activity. Look for a Download or Export option — the exact wording varies depending on whether you are on desktop or mobile.
You can usually download your history as a CSV file (a spreadsheet format) or PDF. Choose the date range you need and request the download. PayPal will send you a file via email, sometimes within minutes and sometimes within a few hours. Save this file to your computer in a safe location before you proceed with deletion.
Start the deletion process through Settings
Log into your PayPal account on a computer (the mobile app does not always show all account settings). Go to Settings, usually found in the top right corner of the page. Look for Account Settings or Account Information. Scroll down until you find a section called Close Account, Deactivate Account, or Delete Account — the exact label depends on your account type and region.
Click on that option. PayPal will show you a confirmation screen explaining that deletion is permanent and will take about 180 days. It will also remind you that you cannot undo this action. Read through the warnings carefully. If you are certain you want to proceed, click the button to confirm deletion. PayPal will ask you to enter your password to verify your identity.
After you confirm, you will receive an email from PayPal confirming that your deletion request has been received. This email is your proof that the process has started. Keep it for your records.
What happens during the 180-day waiting period
Once you request deletion, your account enters a holding period of approximately 180 days. During this time, your account is no longer active — you cannot log in or use PayPal services. However, PayPal is still processing any outstanding disputes, chargebacks, or refund claims. If a buyer files a dispute about a transaction from months ago, PayPal needs to investigate it, and your account data is necessary for that process.
You will not be able to reactivate your account during this period. If you change your mind, you cannot stop the deletion. The only exception is if PayPal contacts you about an unresolved dispute or chargeback — in that case, you may need to provide information, but this does not restart your account.
After the 180 days are complete, PayPal will permanently remove your personal information, transaction history, and login credentials from their servers. At that point, the account is fully deleted and cannot be recovered.
Deactivation is a reversible alternative if you are unsure
If you are not completely certain about permanent deletion, consider deactivating your account instead. Deactivation temporarily closes your account without deleting your data. You cannot use PayPal while your account is deactivated, but you can reactivate it at any time by logging in with your email and password.
To deactivate instead of delete, go to Settings and look for Deactivate Account or Temporarily Close Account. The process is faster than deletion — your account closes immediately. If you decide you want to use PayPal again in the future, simply log in and your account will reopen. All your transaction history, balance, and settings remain intact.
What to do if you cannot find the delete option
Some account types do not have a self-service delete option. If you have a PayPal Business account, a PayPal for Nonprofits account, or an account with outstanding disputes or chargebacks, you may not see a delete button in Settings. In this case, you will need to contact PayPal Support directly.
Go to the PayPal Help Center and select Contact Us. Choose Account Closure or Account Deletion as your topic. PayPal will offer you options to chat with support, call, or submit a request. Have your account email address and password ready. Explain that you want to delete your account and that you have already withdrawn your balance and settled all transactions. A support agent can process the deletion request for you or explain why your account type cannot be deleted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my PayPal account if I have a pending refund?
No. You must wait for the refund to complete before deletion. If a seller has issued a refund, it may take several business days to arrive in your account. Once the money is in your PayPal balance, withdraw it to your bank account, and then you can proceed with deletion.
What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to delete my account?
Go to the PayPal login page and click Forgot Password. PayPal will send you a reset link to your email address. Follow the link to create a new password, then log in and proceed with deletion. If you no longer have access to the email address on your account, contact PayPal Support — they can verify your identity and help you reset it.
Will deleting my PayPal account affect my credit score?
Deleting your PayPal account itself does not affect your credit score. However, if you have a PayPal Credit account with an outstanding balance, that debt will remain on your credit report even after deletion. You must pay off the balance before you delete the account.
Can someone else access my account during the 180-day deletion period?
No. Your account is locked and inactive during the waiting period. No one, including you, can log in or use the account. PayPal's systems are the only ones accessing your data to resolve any outstanding disputes.
Do I need to unlink my bank account before deleting PayPal?
You do not have to, but it is a good idea. Before deletion, go to Settings and remove any linked bank accounts, credit cards, or other payment methods. This prevents any accidental charges or confusion if someone tries to use your information later. Unlinking is optional, but it adds an extra layer of security.