How to Cancel PayPal: Close Your Account or Stop Automatic Payments

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Cancel automatic payments to a merchant

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   1. Log in on the PayPal website
   2. Settings, then Payments, then Manage automatic payments
   3. Select the merchant and choose Cancel
   4. Also cancel with the merchant so the service itself stops
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Withdraw or spend your balance

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   1. Transfer the full balance to your bank
   2. Resolve pending transactions and disputes first; allow a few days
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Close the account

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   1. Settings, Account options, Close your account (desktop browser is the safest route)
   2. Confirm; sources say closing is generally permanent and history can no longer be retrieved
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Afterwards

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   1. Blocking PayPal at your bank does not close the account
   2. Download statements before closing
   3. Check merchants have another payment method
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

You want to stop recurring charges made through PayPal or delete your PayPal account.

Why it happens

• Active automatic payments or subscriptions block closure
• Balance must be emptied first
• Closing the account does not cancel merchant billing

This guide also covers

• how to close paypal account
• cancel paypal automatic payments
• delete paypal account
• cancel paypal subscription

Other PayPal errors

• PayPal Payment Declined
• PayPal Account Limited
• PayPal Funds on Hold
• PayPal Account Frozen: 180-Day Hold
• PayPal Can't Log In
• PayPal Verification Code Not Received
• PayPal Transfer to Bank Pending or Not Arrived
• PayPal Payment Pending