Tired of PayPal Automatically Using Your Balance First? Here's Your Comprehensive Guide to Taking Control!
Are you frustrated by PayPal's tendency to automatically deduct funds from your PayPal balance, even when you'd prefer to use a linked card or bank account? You're not alone! Many users find this default setting inconvenient and wish for more control over their payment methods.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through various strategies and settings you can adjust to ensure PayPal prioritizes your preferred payment method. We'll explore both temporary solutions for individual transactions and more permanent adjustments to your PayPal settings.
Let's start with the very first step: Are you currently about to make a payment with PayPal and want to choose a different funding source right now? If so, jump directly to Step 1: Selecting Your Preferred Payment Method During Checkout. Otherwise, continue reading for more permanent solutions.
Step 1: Selecting Your Preferred Payment Method During Checkout
This is the most immediate way to bypass your PayPal balance for a specific transaction. Pay close attention during the checkout process!
1.1: Reaching the PayPal Payment Page
After selecting PayPal as your payment method on the merchant's website, you'll be redirected to PayPal's secure login page. Log in to your account as usual.
1.2: Identifying the Default Payment Method
Once logged in, you'll typically see a summary of your order and the default payment method selected by PayPal. This is often your PayPal balance if you have sufficient funds.
1.3: Crucially, Look for the "Change" or "Payment Method" Link
This is the key to overriding the default. The exact wording and placement of this link can vary slightly depending on PayPal's interface updates, but it's usually located near the displayed payment method. Look for something like:
- Change
- Payment method
- Funding source
- Edit
Don't proceed with the payment until you've located this option!
1.4: Choosing Your Desired Payment Method
Clicking the "Change" or similar link will present you with a list of your linked payment methods, including:
- Your PayPal balance (which will likely be highlighted as the default)
- Your linked credit cards (e.g., Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
- Your linked bank accounts
Select the credit card or bank account you wish to use for this specific transaction.
1.5: Confirming Your Selection
After choosing your preferred payment method, you might need to click a "Continue" or "Save" button to confirm your selection for this transaction. Make sure the displayed payment method now reflects your choice before you finalize the payment.
1.6: Completing the Purchase
Once you've confirmed your desired payment method, you can proceed with the payment by clicking the "Pay Now" or similar button. PayPal will then use the selected funding source for this particular transaction.
Remember: This method only changes the payment method for the current transaction. PayPal's default behavior might revert to using your balance for future purchases. For more persistent control, continue to the next steps.
Step 2: Setting a Preferred Payment Method in Your PayPal Account Settings
PayPal allows you to designate a preferred payment method that it will attempt to use first for most online purchases. While this doesn't guarantee your balance will never be used, it significantly increases the likelihood of your chosen card or bank being prioritized.
2.1: Logging into Your PayPal Account via a Web Browser
This setting is typically managed through the PayPal website, not the mobile app. Open your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) and navigate to the PayPal website (
2.2: Navigating to Account Settings
Once logged in, look for the "Settings" or "Gear" icon, usually located in the top right corner of the page. Click on it.
2.3: Accessing Payment Preferences
Within the "Settings" menu, you'll need to find the section related to payments or financial settings. Look for options like:
- Payments
- Payment preferences
- Funding sources
- Financial settings
Click on the relevant option.
2.4: Finding the "Preferred Payment Method" Option
Within the payment settings, you should see an option related to your preferred way to pay online. It might be labeled as:
- Preferred payment method
- Default payment method for online purchases
- How you pay online
Click on this option.
2.5: Selecting Your Preferred Card or Bank Account
You will now see a list of your linked payment methods. Select the credit card or bank account that you want PayPal to prioritize for your online purchases. You might see a radio button or a dropdown menu to make your selection.
2.6: Saving Your Changes
After selecting your preferred payment method, make sure to save your changes. There will usually be a "Save" or "Done" button. Confirm that your chosen payment method is now listed as the preferred option.
Important Note: Setting a preferred payment method doesn't entirely eliminate the possibility of PayPal using your balance. There might be situations (e.g., insufficient funds on your preferred method, specific merchant agreements) where PayPal still defaults to your balance. However, it significantly reduces the frequency of this happening.
Step 3: Managing Backup Funding Sources
PayPal allows you to set up backup funding sources in case your primary payment method fails. Reviewing and managing these can also influence when your PayPal balance is used.
3.1: Locating Backup Funding Options
Within the same "Payments" or "Financial settings" section of your PayPal account settings (accessed via a web browser), look for options related to:
- Backup funding sources
- Secondary payment methods
- Payment risk settings
3.2: Reviewing Your Current Backup Funding
You'll see a list of the payment methods PayPal will attempt to use if your preferred method (or the method you selected during checkout) fails. Your PayPal balance might be listed here.
3.3: Removing Your PayPal Balance as a Backup (If Desired)
While you can't entirely remove your PayPal balance from your account, you can often prioritize other funding sources as backups. Look for options to:
- Change the order of backup funding sources: If available, ensure your preferred card or bank account is listed before your PayPal balance in the backup order.
- Remove other unwanted backup methods: If you have multiple cards or bank accounts linked, you can choose which ones you want to serve as backups.
Caution: Removing all backup funding sources might lead to failed transactions if your primary method declines. Ensure you have at least one reliable backup method selected.
3.4: Saving Your Backup Funding Preferences
After making any changes, remember to save your preferences.
Step 4: Understanding Automatic Payments and Subscriptions
If you have recurring payments or subscriptions set up through PayPal, they might have their own default funding sources. You'll need to manage these individually.
4.1: Navigating to Automatic Payments
In your PayPal account settings (via a web browser), look for a section related to:
- Automatic Payments
- Subscriptions
- Recurring Payments
- Manage automatic payments
4.2: Reviewing Your Active Automatic Payments
You'll see a list of merchants you've authorized for automatic payments.
4.3: Updating the Funding Source for Each Automatic Payment
Click on each automatic payment individually to view its details. You should see the current funding source being used. Look for an option to:
- Change funding source
- Edit payment method
4.4: Selecting Your Preferred Card or Bank Account
For each automatic payment, select the credit card or bank account you want to be charged.
4.5: Saving Your Changes for Each Payment
Make sure to save the changes for each individual automatic payment you update.
Step 5: Being Mindful During Transactions
Even with preferred payment methods set, always double-check the selected payment method on the PayPal payment page before finalizing any transaction. PayPal's interface can sometimes default back to your balance, especially if it's the only source with sufficient funds at that moment.
Take that extra second to verify!
Step 6: Contacting PayPal Support (If Necessary)
If you've tried the above steps and are still experiencing issues with PayPal consistently using your balance first, consider contacting PayPal support directly. They can provide personalized assistance and troubleshoot any underlying issues with your account settings.
You can usually find contact information and support options on the PayPal website.
How to... Frequently Asked Questions
How to check my current default payment method on PayPal?
Quick Answer: Log in to your PayPal account via a web browser, go to Settings (gear icon) > Payments > Preferred payment method.
How to change my payment method during a PayPal transaction?
Quick Answer: On the PayPal payment review page, look for a "Change" or "Payment method" link next to the displayed funding source and select your preferred card or bank account.
How to set a specific credit card as my preferred payment method?
Quick Answer: In your PayPal settings (via web browser), navigate to Preferred payment method and select your desired credit card from the list.
How to set a specific bank account as my preferred payment method?
Quick Answer: Similar to setting a preferred card, go to Preferred payment method in your PayPal settings and choose your linked bank account.
How to manage backup funding sources on PayPal?
Quick Answer: In your PayPal settings, find the Backup funding sources option and review, reorder, or remove backup methods as needed.
How to change the payment method for a recurring PayPal subscription?
Quick Answer: Go to Settings > Payments > Automatic Payments, select the subscription, and look for an option to "Change funding source."
How to prevent PayPal from ever using my balance?
Quick Answer: While you can't entirely eliminate your PayPal balance, setting a strong preferred payment method and carefully checking during transactions significantly reduces its usage.
How to see which payment method was used for a past PayPal transaction?
Quick Answer: Log in to your PayPal account, go to "Activity," and click on the specific transaction to view its details, including the funding source used.
How to add a new credit card or bank account to my PayPal account?
Quick Answer: In your PayPal settings, go to "Wallet" and click on "Link a card" or "Link a bank account" and follow the on-screen instructions.
How to troubleshoot if my preferred payment method isn't being used?
Quick Answer: Double-check your preferred payment settings, ensure the preferred method has sufficient funds, and review the payment method selected during each transaction. If issues persist, contact PayPal support.
We hope this comprehensive guide helps you take better control of how you pay with PayPal and ensures your preferred funding sources are prioritized! Remember to regularly review your settings to maintain your desired payment preferences.