Removing a payment method from Stripe takes two minutes and happens in your account dashboard
Log into your Stripe account, go to the Settings menu, select Payments, then Payment Methods. Find the card or bank account you want to remove and click the trash icon next to it. Stripe will ask you to confirm, and once you do, that payment method is deleted from your account when ready. You cannot undo this action, so make sure you are removing the right one.
The process is the same whether you are removing a debit card, credit card, or bank account. Stripe does not keep a copy of the payment method after you delete it, and it will no longer appear in any dropdown menus when you are setting up charges or transfers.
Key Takeaways
- Payment methods are removed from your Stripe dashboard under Settings > Payments > Payment Methods, using the trash icon next to each one.
- Deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed, so double-check which payment method you are removing before confirming.
- Removing a payment method does not affect past transactions or charges that already went through.
- If a payment method is linked to a recurring charge or subscription, you must update or cancel that charge first before you can delete the card or account.
Why you might need to remove a payment method
You may want to remove a payment method because you lost a card, closed a bank account, or no longer want to use that funding source. You might also remove an old card after adding a new one, or delete a test card you created while setting up your account.
Removing a payment method does not cancel any charges or subscriptions tied to it — those continue as normal. If you want to stop a recurring charge, you need to cancel the subscription or invoice separately. Stripe will not let you delete a payment method that is actively being used for a recurring charge, so the system will warn you if you try.
Step-by-step: finding and deleting a payment method
Step 1: Log in and navigate to Settings. Open your Stripe account and click the Settings gear icon in the top right corner of your dashboard.
Step 2: Go to Payments. In the left sidebar, click Payments. This opens a menu of payment-related options.
Step 3: Select Payment Methods. Click Payment Methods to see all the cards and bank accounts connected to your account.
Step 4: Locate the payment method you want to remove. Scroll through the list until you find the card or account. Stripe shows the last four digits and the expiration date for cards, and the last four digits and bank name for accounts.
Step 5: Click the trash icon. On the right side of the payment method row, you will see a trash icon. Click it.
Step 6: Confirm deletion. Stripe will ask you to confirm that you want to remove this payment method. Click the confirmation button, and it is deleted when ready.
What happens if a payment method is linked to a recurring charge
If you try to delete a payment method that is being used for a subscription, invoice, or other recurring charge, Stripe will not let you. Instead, you will see a message telling you that the payment method is in use and listing which charges or subscriptions depend on it.
To remove the payment method, you must first update those charges to use a different payment method, or cancel them entirely. Once you have done that, the payment method becomes available for deletion. This protection prevents you from accidentally breaking a charge that your business depends on.
Removing a payment method does not affect past transactions
Deleting a payment method from your account does not change anything about charges that already went through. Past transactions remain in your Stripe history, and customers will still see those charges on their bank or credit card statements. The deletion only removes the payment method from your account going forward.
If you need to refund a past charge, you do that separately through the Charges section of your dashboard. The refund goes back to the original payment method the customer used, even if you have since deleted that method from your account.
Removing test cards and test bank accounts
If you created test payment methods while setting up your Stripe account, you can remove them the same way you remove real ones. Test cards and accounts appear in your Payment Methods list with a label indicating they are for testing. Deleting them does not affect your live account or any real transactions.
Stripe provides a list of test card numbers you can use during development — these are not stored in your account unless you manually add them. If you did add test cards to your Payment Methods list, removing them is a good way to keep your account clean before you go live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I undo removing a payment method?
No. Once you delete a payment method, it is gone permanently and cannot be recovered. If you need to use that card or account again, you will have to add it to your account from scratch. This is why Stripe asks you to confirm before deleting.
What if I remove a payment method by mistake?
You will need to add the payment method again manually. Go to Settings > Payments > Payment Methods and click the button to add a new payment method. You will need the card number or bank account details again. If you do not have them, contact your bank or card issuer.
Does removing a payment method affect my Stripe fees or account status?
No. Removing a payment method does not change your fees, account status, or any other settings. It only removes that specific card or account from your list of available payment methods.
Can I remove a payment method if I have pending charges?
If a charge is still pending (not yet settled), you can still remove the payment method. Pending charges will complete normally. You only cannot remove a payment method if it is actively linked to a recurring subscription or invoice that has not been cancelled.
What if my payment method is expired?
Expired cards can be removed just like active ones. You do not have to wait for a card to expire before deleting it. If a charge tries to use an expired card, Stripe will decline it and you will see an error in your dashboard.