Trying to inactivate an account but it is giving me "You can't delete this account because it is part of the Online Banking feature" error message

The error you encounter happens if the system recognizes that the account is associated with Online Banking, @bansoccr9.

To clear this out, we can create another account with the same Account Type and Detail Type. Here's how:

1. On your QuickBooks Online account, click Accounting on the left menu.
2. Go to the Chart of Accounts tab.
3. Click the New button.
4. Enter the Account Type and Detail Type. You can name the account as "dummy".
5. Click Save and close.

Next, let's go to the account that has the error and rename it:

1. On the Chart of Accounts tab, look for the affected account.
2. Click the drop-down arrow next to View register.
3. Select Edit.
4. Change the account name to dummy.
5. Click Save and close.
6. It will prompt you to merge with the other account.
7. Click Yes to confirm.

Once done, try deleting the account again.

To learn more about the default or special accounts that can be deleted, edited, or merged, check out the information from this article: Manage default and special accounts in your QuickBooks Online chart of accounts.

For future reference, here's a link you can visit if you need additional resources while managing your accounts and banking transactions: Find help with bank feeds and reconciling accounts.

If you have any other follow-up questions about your accounts, let me know by adding a comment below. I'm always here to help. Keep safe!

Hello Mirriam and thank you for your quick reply.  When I tried merging the accounts it gave me the same error message "you cannot merge this account as it is reserved for the online banking feature."

Thanks for getting back to us, @bansoccr9.

I appreciate you following the steps shared by my colleague above. Allow me to chime in and help ensure you can inactivate your account in QuickBooks Online (QBO).

The account that you're trying to inactivate may be connected to Online Banking in QBO. If this is the case, you'll need to disconnect it first.

Before we proceed with the process, make sure to add and match all the pending transactions in the Banking page. Please take note that disconnecting the automatic online banking updates will delete any transactions in the For Review tab. You can refer to this article for further guidance: Categorize and match online bank transactions in QuickBooks Online.

Once done, here's how to disconnect it:

1. In QBO, go to the Banking on the left pane, then select Banking at the top.
2. Choose the account you want to change, then tick Edit (pencil icon).
3. Click Edit account info.
4. In the Account window, check the box next to Disconnect this account on save.
5.   Hit Save and Close.

For more information about the process, refer to this article: Disconnect accounts connected to online banking in QuickBooks Online.

After that, you can now proceed with making the account inactive. You can check out this article for the detailed steps on how to do it: Make an account inactive on your chart of accounts in QuickBooks Online.

For more tips and other resources, I recommend visiting our website for future reference: Self-help articles.

Let me know in the comment below if you have additional questions about this or anything else QuickBooks. I'll be here to help. Keep safe.

Thank you Fritz, I appreciate the help.  I will try this later today.  One follow up question, once I disconnect the bank account and then inactivate the linked account in my chart of accounts, can I then just go back in and reconnect the bank account without any interruptions or discrepancies?

I have the same issue. The account cannot be merged.  It is not located on my Banking page (there is no online banking associated with it).  When I try to inactivate or merge, it tells me it is part of the online banking feature.  I cannot find a place to sever that link.  Do you have any other suggestions?

I'd love to help get this cleared up for you, @tabithamcc.

I wish you didn't face all these hurdles when merging accounts. 

Since you already confirmed that there is no online banking associated with it, you may need to report this to our QuickBooks Customer Care Team. One of our agents will investigate this further and provide additional troubleshooting steps to get this fixed. They can also create an investigation ticket if other users are experiencing the same. 

To reach them, please follow the steps below: 

1. Go to the Help menu, then click Contact Us.
2. Type your concern in the box and tap Let's talk.
3. Choose either Get a call or Start a chat.
4. Complete the required data and submit the request.

Make sure to contact them within business hours to ensure a swift response.

For future reference, visit these links if you need additional resources while managing your registry in QuickBooks:

• Manage default and special accounts in your QuickBooks Online chart of accounts
• Learn about the chart of accounts in QuickBooks Online

Let me know if there is any else I can help with too. I'll keep an eye out for your response. Keep safe. 

Having the same issue here. I have tried all the following above (Other then calling into tech support) with no resolution

Hello there, @jvanoy3.

I recognize how challenging it was on your end upon trying to inactivate an account. Let me redirect you to our best support group available to get this addressed right away.

Since you've already performed all the troubleshooting steps above, I recommend contacting our Customer Support team. They all have the resources to check your account securely to determine its root cause and provide you with a resolution.

Here's how:

1. Sign in to your QuickBooks Online account.
2. Select Help (?).
3. Head to the Search tab and select Contact Us.
4. Pick the topic you need help with or choose to Ask about something else, then enter your concern.
5. Click on Continue.
6. Determine how you would like to connect with our support.

Please check our support hours to guarantee you'll receive immediate help.

I'm adding this article for additional information about account inactivation: Make an account inactive on your chart of accounts in QuickBooks Online.

You can also review this material to learn which accounts can be deleted, edited, or merged: Manage default and special accounts in your QuickBooks Online chart of accounts.

Please return if you have further questions about managing your accounts in QuickBooks Online. I'm more than willing to help.

there is no fix for this at this time we will up date as soon as a fix is available