Closing your Robinhood account takes about five minutes, but you need to settle any open positions and withdraw your cash first

To close a Robinhood account, you must sell all stocks, options, and crypto you hold, then withdraw any remaining cash to your bank account. Only after your account shows a zero balance can you request deletion through the app or website. Robinhood will then close the account within a few business days. If you have an unsettled trade (one that hasn't cleared yet), you'll need to wait for settlement before you can proceed.

The process itself is straightforward, but the timing depends on how long it takes your bank to process the withdrawal. Most transfers take one to three business days, though some banks are slower. You cannot close the account while money is still sitting in it.

Key Takeaways

  • Sell all positions — stocks, options, and cryptocurrency — before attempting to close your account, because Robinhood won't let you delete an account with holdings.
  • Withdraw all cash to your linked bank account and wait for the transfer to complete, which usually takes one to three business days.
  • Request account deletion through the app (Account menu, then Account Settings, then Deactivate Account) or through the website's settings page.
  • Robinhood will send a confirmation email and close the account within a few business days; you can no longer log in after that.
  • If you have unsettled trades or pending transfers, wait for those to clear before attempting to close the account.

Sell all your holdings before you start

Open the Robinhood app or website and go to your portfolio. Sell every position you own — every stock, every options contract, and every cryptocurrency. You cannot close the account while you hold any securities. If you're holding fractional shares, you can sell those too; Robinhood will execute the sale at market price.

If you have options contracts that are out of the money or expiring soon, you still need to sell or let them expire before closing. If an option expires while you're trying to close the account, wait for the expiration to settle before proceeding. The same applies to any pending trades — they must settle (usually one to two business days after you place them) before you can move forward.

Withdraw your cash to your bank account

Once all your positions are sold, go to the Account menu and select "Transfers." Choose "Withdraw" and enter the amount you want to move. You can withdraw your entire balance at once. Select your linked bank account as the destination.

Robinhood will initiate the transfer, but your bank controls how long it takes to arrive. Most banks process transfers within one to three business days. Some take longer. Do not request account closure until the money has actually arrived in your bank account — if you close the account while a transfer is pending, you may lose access to that money.

Request account deletion through the app or website

Once your account balance is zero and all transfers have completed, you can request deletion. In the app, tap your Account icon (usually at the bottom right), then go to Account Settings. Scroll down and select "Deactivate Account." On the website, log in, click your profile icon, select Settings, and look for the account deactivation option.

Robinhood will ask you to confirm that you want to close the account. You may see a prompt asking why you're leaving — this is optional to answer. After you confirm, Robinhood will send a confirmation email to the address on file.

What happens after you request closure

Robinhood typically closes the account within a few business days of your request. You'll receive an email confirming the closure. After that, you won't be able to log in, and your account will no longer appear in the app or on the website.

If you need records of your trades for tax purposes, download your statements before you close the account. Once the account is deleted, you may have a harder time retrieving that information, though Robinhood can sometimes provide historical data if you contact support.

What to do if you can't close your account

If the deactivation option doesn't appear or you get an error message, you likely still have unsettled trades, pending transfers, or holdings in your account. Go back to your portfolio and double-check that everything is sold and your balance is zero. If you see a pending transfer, wait for it to complete before trying again.

If you've done all that and the option still doesn't appear, contact Robinhood support through the app or website. They can tell you what's blocking the closure and help you resolve it. Support response times vary, but you should hear back within a few business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my account if I have a negative balance?

No. If you owe Robinhood money (usually from margin trading or a failed transfer), you must pay that balance first. Go to Account Settings and look for any outstanding balance or margin debt. Pay it through the app, then proceed with closure.

What if I have a pending deposit or transfer?

Wait for the transfer to complete before closing. If you close the account while a transfer is pending, you risk losing access to that money. Check the Transfers section to see the status of any pending movement.

Do I lose my trade history after I close the account?

You lose easy access to it. Download your statements and tax documents before you close. If you need records later, contact Robinhood support and they can provide historical data, though it may take time.

Can I reopen a closed Robinhood account?

No. Once you close the account, it's deleted. If you want to trade again, you'll need to open a new account from scratch. The new account will have a different account number.

How long does it take to close the account after I request it?

Usually a few business days. Robinhood will send a confirmation email when the closure is complete. The exact timing depends on their processing queue, but you should see the account disappear from the app within a week.