PayPal limited or money on hold: what to do

In short

How do I get a limitation removed from my PayPal account?

Log in and open the Resolution Center or the bell icon on your Dashboard. PayPal shows the steps there, such as uploading documents. Once they're complete, PayPal says the review usually takes 3 business days, and some limitations are lifted automatically.

Limitation or hold?

A limited account means you can't do certain things with it, for example send or withdraw money. A payment hold affects single payments: they appear in your account as pending or unavailable.

For a hold, log in and click Know your options under your PayPal balance. PayPal says this shows why it is holding the payment and how you can release it.

Why PayPal limits accounts

Regulatory requirements, for example after requesting certain products such as a debit card
Selling banned items or other breaches of PayPal's Acceptable Use Policy
Suspected unauthorized use of the account
Higher-risk activity: many claims or chargebacks, a sudden new product type or an unusual jump in sales
An account that has barely been used since sign-up

Why payments are held

PayPal's US user agreement says risk-based holds generally last up to 21 days from when the payment was received, and PayPal may release a hold earlier, for example after you upload shipment tracking.

You're a new seller, or an established seller with a new account
You haven't sold in a while
Several customers reported problems or asked for refunds
Your selling pattern changed, such as a surge in sales or a new type of item
You sell higher-risk items

Remove a limitation: step by step

1Log in yourself by typing paypal.com or using the app, not through a link in an email.
2Open the Resolution Center or the bell icon on your Dashboard and read the reason.
3Complete every step PayPal lists, such as uploading ID, business documents or invoices.
4Wait for the review: PayPal says it usually takes 3 business days once the steps are complete, and it emails you when it's done.
5Still limited? Check your email: PayPal may have asked for more information or still be reviewing what you sent.

If PayPal holds your balance for up to 180 days

PayPal's US user agreement allows it to hold a balance for up to 180 days if this is reasonably needed to protect against the risk of liability, or if you have violated its Acceptable Use Policy. The hold can last longer under a court order, regulatory requirement or other legal process.

Terms differ by country. Read the user agreement for your country, keep every notice and reply in writing, and answer within any deadline PayPal gives.

Fake “account limited” emails

If you get an email saying your account is limited but there is no limitation in the Resolution Center, PayPal says it may be a fake email. Forward it to phishing@paypal.com and delete it.

Clicking the link in the email to “verify” your account
Sending your password, a code or ID documents to anyone who contacts you
Paying someone who promises to unlock the account for you

Frequently asked questions

Does a reserve mean my account is limited?

Not necessarily. PayPal says it may place a reserve on a business account to cover potential losses from chargebacks and disputes, and that it may lower or remove the reserve if your business improves.

Can you speed up PayPal's review?

No one outside PayPal can. We help you send complete, consistent evidence, so the review isn't held up by missing documents.

Someone on social media says they can unlock PayPal accounts for a fee. Should I pay?

No. Limitations are lifted by PayPal's own review in your account. Anyone who asks for your login details or upfront payment is a scam warning sign. Check the message with our scam message checker.

Official sources

The platforms' own help and policy pages. We are not affiliated with them.

PayPal account limited or money on hold: what to do