How to reconnect a bank account in QuickBooks Online without creating a duplicate

Allow me to join you here and offer my help with your online banking concerns. Let's make sure that the existing account is added with the new details, Henry.

Whenever there are changes to the bank's name or website, you'll need to disconnect their connection in QuickBooks and set it up again using the updated information. 

This process will ensure the integration stays linked properly with the bank's refreshed credentials. Please note that this process will delete transactions that still need to be categorized in the For review tab. If the transactions are older than 90 days, you won't be able to download them into QuickBooks again.

 Let me share these steps on how you can do it:

1. Go to Transactions, then Bank Transactions.
2. Select the tile for the bank account.
3. Click the Pencil ✎ icon, then select Edit account info.
4. Select the Disconnect this account on save checkbox. 
5. Choose Save and Close.

Once done, let's go to your Chart of Accounts to reconnect the existing account. Here's how:

1. Go to the Accounting menu and select Chart of Accounts.
2. Look for the bank account, then click the dropdown beside View register and select Connect bank.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions to make a connection.

Please be aware that merging accounts connected to Online Banking is not possible, which is why you are unable to do it.

Here's an article about this for more details: Merge Duplicate Accounts, Customers, and Vendors in QuickBooks Online.

Never hesitate to ask follow-up questions as we get your account added, Henry. Smooth bank feeds integration is crucial, so I want you to feel fully supported. 

Losing a bank connection because your institution changed its name is frustrating, especially when reconnecting creates more work instead of less. You can fix this by starting the reconnection from your chart of accounts instead of the bank transactions page. That way QuickBooks links the new bank feed to your existing account register instead of building a second one.

Reconnect an account without creating a duplicate

When a bank changes its name, the old feed breaks, and QuickBooks needs to be told which account to attach the new feed to. Reconnecting from the bank transactions screen often defaults to creating a fresh account instead of matching it to the one you already have. Starting from the chart of accounts avoids that.

Here's how to do it in QuickBooks Online:

1. Go to Settings, then select Chart of accounts.
2. Find the existing bank account you want to reconnect.
3. In the Action column, open the dropdown and select Connect bank.
4. Search for your bank under its new name, then sign in with your online banking credentials.
5. Follow the on-screen steps to finish connecting.

This links the account you already have, so your transaction history stays put and nothing new gets created.

For more detail, see How to connect bank accounts and manage imported transactions in QuickBooks Online.

Already have a duplicate account? Here's why you can't merge it

If QuickBooks already created a second account for the new connection, you won't be able to merge it with your original one. Accounts connected to online banking aren't supported for merging, even when they're duplicates of each other.

Instead, disconnect the duplicate account from online banking, then follow the steps above to connect your original account to the bank feed. Once your original account is linked, you can make the duplicate inactive from the chart of accounts.

Learn more in Merge duplicate accounts, customers, and vendors in QuickBooks Online.

Have more questions about getting your accounts back in sync? Just ask below.