How to Check If Bank of America Is Down and What to Do While You Wait

How to tell if Bank of America is down right now

Bank of America publishes real-time status updates on its official status page at bankofamerica.com/status. This page shows whether online banking, the mobile app, ATMs, and customer service phone lines are working normally or experiencing outages. The status page updates every few minutes during an incident, so check there first before assuming your account has a problem.

If the status page shows all systems operational but you still cannot access your account, the issue is likely on your end — a browser problem, app cache issue, or internet connection problem — rather than a Bank of America outage. Try clearing your browser cookies, restarting your phone, or switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data to test.

You can also call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 to ask whether an outage is affecting your region. Wait times are usually shorter during an active outage because the bank routes more staff to the phone lines.

Key Takeaways

• Bank of America's official status page at bankofamerica.com/status shows whether online banking, the app, ATMs, and phone lines are working.
• If the status page shows everything is normal but you cannot log in, the problem is usually your browser, app, or internet connection, not the bank.
• Clearing your browser cache, restarting your phone, or switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data often fixes access problems that look like outages.
• Calling 1-800-432-1000 during a reported outage will connect you to a representative who can tell you when service is expected to return.

What to do if you cannot access your account during an outage

If Bank of America's status page confirms an outage affecting online banking or the mobile app, you have several options depending on what you need to do. For urgent transfers or payments, visit a Bank of America branch in person — tellers can process transactions even when online systems are down. ATMs usually work during online outages because they run on a separate network, so you can withdraw cash if you need it when ready.

If you need to pay a bill and the outage is preventing you from logging in, contact the company you owe money to and explain the situation. Most utilities, credit card companies, and loan servicers will note your account if you call and say you are experiencing a banking outage and will pay as soon as access is restored. This protects you from late fees during the outage window.

For time-sensitive transactions like payroll deposits or loan payments, call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000. A representative can sometimes process certain transactions over the phone or give you a specific time when online access will return so you can plan accordingly.

Outages versus account lockouts and fraud holds

A Bank of America outage affects many customers at once and appears on the status page. An account lockout or fraud hold affects only your account and will not show on the status page. If you can log in but see a message that your account is locked or restricted, that is a separate issue from an outage.

Account lockouts usually happen after multiple failed login attempts or when the bank detects unusual activity. Fraud holds happen when a transaction looks suspicious. Both require you to contact Bank of America directly at 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch to verify your identity and unlock the account. The status page will not help in these cases because the bank's systems are working — your account access is just restricted.

How long Bank of America outages typically last

Most Bank of America outages last between 30 minutes and 2 hours. Longer outages are rare but do happen, especially during major system updates or after severe weather affecting data centers. The status page usually provides an estimated time for restoration once the bank identifies the problem.

During the outage, Bank of America continues to receive deposits and processes them once systems come back online. Your paycheck will still deposit even if the bank is down when it arrives. Scheduled bill payments and transfers may be delayed by a few hours, but they do not get lost.

Checking outage history and planned maintenance

Bank of America sometimes schedules maintenance windows and announces them in advance on the status page. These planned outages are usually brief — often just a few hours on a weekend — and the bank gives customers notice several days ahead. Check the status page regularly if you have a time-sensitive transaction coming up, or sign up for email notifications through the status page so you know when maintenance is scheduled.

If you want to see whether Bank of America has had recent outages, third-party outage tracking sites like Downdetector and IsItDown also log reports from customers. These sites show outage history and can help you determine whether a problem you experienced was widespread or isolated to your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Bank of America app say I am not connected even though my internet is working?

The app may have an outdated cache or need an update. Try closing the app completely, waiting 10 seconds, and reopening it. If that does not work, go to your phone's app store, find the Bank of America app, and check whether an update is available. Uninstalling and reinstalling the app also fixes connection problems that survive a restart.

Can I still use my debit card during a Bank of America outage?

Yes. Your debit card works at stores and ATMs during an outage because those transactions do not require real-time connection to Bank of America's online systems. The transaction will process normally, and the charge will appear in your account once the outage ends.

What if the status page says everything is fine but I still cannot log in?

Try logging in from a different browser or device. If you can log in on your phone but not your computer, the problem is your computer's browser, not Bank of America. Clear your browser cache, disable browser extensions, or try a different browser like Chrome or Firefox. If nothing works, call 1-800-432-1000 to rule out a problem with your specific account.

Do I need to do anything if my direct deposit arrives during an outage?

No. Your employer's bank sends the deposit to Bank of America regardless of whether the bank's online systems are down. The money arrives in your account, but you may not see it in your balance until the outage ends and systems sync. Once access is restored, the deposit will be visible.