QuickBooks Online connects your bank and credit card accounts to download recent transactions automatically. The bank connection sometimes stops working after you change your bank credentials, after security requirements change, or after the bank updates its connection system. When you reconnect the bank feed, you restore the connection and let QuickBooks download new transactions again.
This guide explains how to reconnect bank feed in QuickBooks Online and when to disconnect and reconnect an account within a few clicks.
What Does Reconnecting a Bank Feed in QuickBooks Online Mean?
When you reconnect bank account to QuickBooks Online, you restore the connection between your bank account and QuickBooks Online. This process lets QuickBooks access your bank’s latest transaction data and download new transactions into the connected account.
Reconnection does not delete the existing accounting data in your QuickBooks account. Disconnecting an online banking connection simply stops new transactions from downloading until you reconnect the account.
Why do you need to Reconnect Bank Feed in QuickBooks Online?
You need to reconnect a bank feed when QuickBooks Online stops receiving transactions from your bank. Reconnecting restores the connection and helps QuickBooks download new transactions automatically.
Common reasons include:
- Bank login changes: Updated usernames or passwords require a new connection.
- Security updates: Your bank introduces new verification or security requirements.
- Connection errors: QuickBooks reports an error that affects the bank feed.
- Expired authorization: The existing bank connection expires and requires reauthorization.
- Bank connection changes: Your bank switches to a new connection system.
- Missing transactions: New transactions stop appearing in QuickBooks.
Reconnect the bank feed to keep your QuickBooks Online records current and reduce manual transaction entry.
What to Check Before Reconnecting Your Bank Account
Take a few minutes to check your account before disconnecting the existing connection. This step helps prevent duplicate transactions and protects the accuracy of your books.
- Confirm Your Bank Login: Sign in to your bank’s website and resolve any login or security issues.
- Review Downloaded Transactions: Check the existing transactions in Bank transactions and categorize or match them as needed.
- Verify the QuickBooks Account: Make sure you reconnect the bank feed to the correct existing QuickBooks account.
- Check Connection Errors: Review the error message to determine whether you need a refresh or a full disconnect and reconnect.
How to Reconnect Bank Feed in QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online reconnects your bank or credit card account whenever the connection fails, or your bank demands an update. Before you disconnect an account, review all downloaded transactions to reduce the risk of duplicate entries after you reconnect.
Method 1: Reconnect Your Bank Account in QuickBooks Online
Use this method when your existing bank connection asks you to sign in again or needs updated banking credentials.
Step 1: Open Bank Transactions
- Sign in to QuickBooks Online.
- Go to Transactions.
- Select Bank transactions.
- Select the bank or credit card account that needs reconnection.
Step 2: Update Your Bank Sign-In Information
- Select the Edit or pencil icon on the account tile.
- Select Edit sign-in info.
- Enter your current online banking user ID and password.
- Select Save and connect.
QuickBooks uses the updated credentials to restore the connection and resume automatic transaction downloads.
Step 3: Complete Bank Verification
- Follow the on-screen instructions to reconnect your bank.
- Your financial institution might require an additional security check before QuickBooks completes the connection.
Step 4: Review the Bank Connection
- After reconnecting, check the account in Bank transactions. QuickBooks will download available transactions from your bank.
- Review the For Review tab and match or categorize the downloaded transactions as needed.
Method 2: Disconnect and Reconnect the Bank Account
Use this method when the normal sign-in update fails to restore the connection or when QuickBooks specifically asks you to disconnect and reconnect the account. Intuit recommends that you review all existing downloaded transactions before you disconnect, as this helps prevent duplicate transactions after you reconnect.
Step 1: Review Existing Bank Transactions
- Go to Transactions and select Bank transactions.
- Select the affected bank account.
- Open the For review tab.
- Review the downloaded transactions.
- Add, match, or categorize transactions that need attention.
Step 2: Disconnect the Bank Account
- Select the Edit or pencil icon on the bank account tile.
- Select Edit account info.
- Select Disconnect this account on save.
- Select Save or Save and Close.
When you disconnect the bank feed, you stop new transactions from downloading, but you do not delete the existing accounting data in QuickBooks.
Step 3: Reconnect the Bank Account
- Return to Transactions>>Bank transactions.
- Select Link account.
- Search for your bank.
- Select the correct financial institution.
- Enter your online banking credentials.
- Complete any additional security checks.
- Select the bank account you want to connect.
- Map it to the existing QuickBooks account that represents the same bank account.
- Select Connect and complete the setup.
QuickBooks Online bank feed lets you select an existing account during the connection process. Mapping the bank connection to the correct existing QuickBooks account keeps your transaction history together and prevents unnecessary duplicate accounts.
Step 4: Review the Downloaded Transactions
- After QuickBooks reconnects the bank, open Bank transactions and review the newly downloaded transactions.
- Check the For review tab and match or categorize the transactions before adding them to your books.
What Happens to Existing Transactions After Reconnecting?
When you reconnect the bank feed in QuickBooks Online, you do not remove your existing accounting records. QuickBooks resumes the bank connection and downloads available transactions from the financial institution. Review the downloaded transactions after you reconnect. QuickBooks separates newly downloaded transactions for review before you add or match them in your books.
Keep in mind that the transaction history available after reconnection depends on your bank. QuickBooks states that banks support different download periods, ranging from 90 days to 24 months for new connections. For older transactions that do not download automatically, you must upload them manually.
Conclusion
This guide explained how to reconnect the bank feed in QuickBooks Online and restore automatic transaction downloads. Start with the regular reconnect process and use the disconnect-and-reconnect method when QuickBooks requires it. Review your downloaded transactions after reconnecting to prevent duplicates and keep your financial records accurate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reconnect my bank feed in QuickBooks Online?
Go to Bank transactions, select the affected bank account, and follow the available reconnect or sign-in prompts. Enter your current bank credentials, complete the required security checks, select the correct existing QuickBooks account, and select Connect.
Why did my QuickBooks Online bank connection disconnect?
A bank connection can stop working after changes to bank credentials, account details, security requirements, or the bank’s connection system. QuickBooks also displays specific errors when a bank connection needs an upgrade or reconnection.
Will reconnecting my bank account delete my existing transactions?
No. Disconnecting an online banking connection stops new downloads but does not delete existing accounting data. Review pending or downloaded transactions before disconnecting to reduce the risk of duplicate transactions after reconnection.
Why are new transactions not showing after reconnecting?
Check the For review tab, select Update, and confirm that your bank connection completed successfully. Bank download periods differ, so older transactions might require a manual upload.
Do I need to reconnect my bank account after changing my bank password?
A change to your online banking credentials often requires you to update the connection in QuickBooks. Sign in to your bank first, then return to QuickBooks and follow the bank reconnection prompts.
Can I manually import transactions when my bank feed does not reconnect?
Yes. QuickBooks supports manual transaction uploads for older transactions that do not download through the bank connection. This provides an alternative when the required transaction history is unavailable through the bank feed.
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