How do I delete a QuickBooks checking account that doesn't have the "Disconnect this account on save" option?

Hi there, @mich5428.

I'm here to guide you on disconnecting your QuickBooks checking account in QuickBooks Online. The Disconnect this account on save checkbox only appears if QuickBooks isn't downloading new transactions, and you'll need to wait a few minutes for the update to finish. You'll also need to be in Business view for this option to appear.

Here's how:

1. Click the Gear icon.
2. Click the Switch to Business view option.

However, if you still don't see the option after several minutes, you can sign in to QuickBooks using an incognito or private browser or try other browser troubleshooting options.

When you activate QuickBooks Checking, the QuickBooks Checking bank account is created. You can edit it, however you can't make it inactive. As a workaround, you can change it's name, such as No longer in use or Not active,so you'll know that you're not using it anymore.

Furthermore, if you want to close your actual QuickBooks Checking account, it needs to have a $0 balance. You can consider spending the remaining balance or transfer it to your external bank account. Once done, give us a call at the number on the back of your QuickBooks Debit Card. Our team is available to help you settle everything.

Let me know if you have additional concerns about deleting a QuickBooks checking account in QuickBooks Online. I'm always here to help you.

Thank you for your reply. I cleared my cache and tried a different browser (Edge instead of Chrome) and the "Disconnect this account on save" checkbox still does not appear. It also wasn't updating at the time. It does have a small negative balance if that makes a difference. Does the QBO balance need to be at zero to make the account inactive? I thought QBO would automatically adjust for it.  

Thank you for your reply. I believe the issue is that I was not in business view. Now that I know that, I can resolve this. I appreciate the help!

On behalf of my colleague above, you're welcome, @mich5428.

Please don't hesitate to reach out anytime you need a helping hand. We are always happy to provide the best steps for your solution. Take care! 

Hello, I have another roadblock to this. We went into business view but still could not see a "disconnect on save" checkbox. We couldn't make the account inactive either because we received an error message, I think because there is a small negative QB balance and a small positive bank balance. I thought QB would automatically make an adjustment? Does the checking account need to be zeroed out before we can make it inactive?

Let me guide you on how you can fix your banking issues, Mich.

In the normal process, you'll find the Disconnect account on save option in the Business View interface. Click the Edit account info button so it will show up on your end.

Since, it's now showing up, you'll want to switch to Accountant View to see the button instead. Follow the steps below:

1. Go to the Transactions tab on the left.
2. Select Bank transactions.
3. Choose the account that you want to disconnect.
   
    
4. Click the Edit account info option.
   
5. Tick the Disconnect this account on save box to disconnect the account.
   

On the other hand, once you make an account with a balance inactive, QuickBooks creates a journal entry to move the remaining balance to another account. Your existing transactions don't disappear and you'll still be able to access them on financial reports.

However, if you decide to make the account active or use the account again, QuickBooks won't move the balance back or change the journal entry. Also,  certain accounts in QuickBooks can't be deleted because they are default accounts.  That's why you're getting an error message when you make the account inactive. To know more about what accounts can't be deactivated, check out this article for more details: Manage Default and Special Accounts In Your QuickBooks Online Chart of Accounts.

Furthermore, learn how to compare each transaction on your bank statement with the ones entered into QuickBooks.I've added this article for more details: Reconcile An Account in QuickBooks Online.

You can always keep in touch if you have any questions when inactivating or disconnecting your account. I'm always right here to help.

Thank you for your help. I am not seeing the "disconnect this account on save" checkbox. I am in business view. Do I have to be in accountant view? I thought this could be done in business view but still cannot see the checkbox in that view.

We appreciate you getting back here in the thread, @mich5428.

Know that Disconnect this account on save box when on the Banking page is available for both the Business and Accountant view in QuickBooks Online (QBO). A possible reason why you don't see this option is that the bank's not connected to your company file. In this situation, you can check the Chart of accounts to verify if this is the case. We'll write down the steps to get you going:

1. Access your QuickBooks Online company.
2. On the left navigational bar, go to the Transactions tab.
3. Choose Chart of accounts.
4. Locate the bank you're trying to disconnect. If you see the ⮂ icon, it means the bank is connected to your account, and if not, know it's no longer associated with the account.

If you wish to make an account inactive, please refer to this page for more details: Make an account inactive on your chart of accounts in QuickBooks Online.

In addition, we recommend checking this handy article to help you manage accounts inside the program: Manage default and special accounts in your QuickBooks Online chart of accounts.

You can visit the Community space anytime if you have any additional QuickBooks-related concerns or need assistance managing bank accounts. As always, we'll be around to help you out again. Keep safe and have a good one. 

Thank you for your reply and help. This bank does have the ⮂ icon. We are getting an error message when we try to make the account inactive. I will find out what the error message says and repost back here.