How to Check If Bank of America's Website or App Is Down
How to tell if Bank of America's systems are actually down
Bank of America's website and mobile app go offline for maintenance or experience outages from time to time. The fastest way to know whether the problem is on their end or yours is to check a third-party status tracker, then try accessing your account from a different device or network.
Start by visiting downdetector.com and searching for "Bank of America". This site collects real-time reports from customers experiencing problems. If hundreds of people reported issues in the last hour, the bank's systems are likely down. If only a handful reported problems spread across the day, your issue is probably local to your device or internet connection.
You can also check Bank of America's official status page at bankofamerica.com/security — scroll to the bottom of the page for a link to their system status updates. The bank posts maintenance windows and outage notices there, though they do not always update it when ready when problems occur.
Key Takeaways
- Downdetector.com shows you in seconds whether thousands of other Bank of America customers are reporting the same problem.
- Try logging in from a different device or network to rule out issues with your phone, computer, or internet connection.
- Bank of America performs scheduled maintenance most often on Tuesday and Wednesday nights between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Eastern time.
- If the website is down but the mobile app works (or vice versa), the problem is isolated to one system, not a full outage.
- Contact Bank of America directly at 1-800-432-1000 if you need to access your account during an outage and cannot wait for service to return.
What to do if you cannot access your account
Before you call the bank, try these steps in order. Clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try logging in again. On mobile, close the app completely and reopen it. If you use a password manager, try typing your password manually instead — sometimes the autofill does not work during partial outages.
If the website loads but shows an error message, take a screenshot of the error. Bank of America's customer service team will ask for this information if you call. The error code tells them exactly where the problem is occurring in their system.
If you need money urgently and cannot access your account online, you can still visit a Bank of America branch in person with your ID, or call 1-800-432-1000 to speak with a representative who can help you over the phone. They can verify your identity and information with transfers, payments, or account questions without requiring you to log in yourself.
Scheduled maintenance windows and when they happen
Bank of America schedules most maintenance on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, typically between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Eastern time. During these windows, the website and app may be slow or completely unavailable. The bank usually announces maintenance in advance through email or in-app notifications, though the notice period varies.
Holiday weekends sometimes trigger additional maintenance or extended outages. If you know you will need to access your account on a holiday, log in the day before to handle any urgent transfers or payments.
You can sign up for Bank of America's service status notifications through their website. This way you will receive alerts when maintenance is scheduled or when an unexpected outage occurs.
Differences between a full outage and a partial one
A full outage means the website and app are both down, or down for most users. A partial outage means some features work while others do not — for example, you might be able to check your balance but not transfer money, or the app works fine while the website shows errors.
Partial outages are often harder to diagnose because they look like your personal account has a problem. If you can log in but a specific feature is broken, check Downdetector to see if other customers report the same issue with that feature. If they do, it is a bank-side problem and you should wait for the bank to fix it rather than changing your password or trying other troubleshooting steps.
If only the mobile app is down but the website works (or vice versa), you can use whichever one is functioning. This usually means the outage is limited to one platform and should resolve within a few hours.
What causes Bank of America outages
Most outages fall into three categories: scheduled maintenance, unexpected technical problems, and network issues affecting multiple banks at once. Scheduled maintenance is planned and usually announced in advance. Unexpected problems can range from server failures to software bugs introduced during updates. Network-wide issues are rare but can affect many banks simultaneously when they involve internet infrastructure or payment processing systems.
Cyberattacks and security incidents occasionally cause outages, though Bank of America does not always disclose the reason when ready. If you see news reports about a breach or attack, the bank's status page will eventually confirm whether it affected customer access.
How long outages typically last
Scheduled maintenance usually lasts between 2 and 8 hours. Unexpected outages vary widely — some resolve in 30 minutes, while others can last several hours or even a full day. The bank's status page will give you an estimated time for resolution, though these estimates are often optimistic.
If an outage lasts more than 4 hours, Bank of America typically posts updates on their status page and sends notifications to customers. If you do not see any official communication after several hours, check Downdetector again to confirm whether the problem is still widespread or has been resolved for most users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Bank of America's website go down so often?
Most outages are scheduled maintenance, not failures. The bank performs updates and security patches regularly, which requires taking systems offline. Unexpected outages happen less frequently than scheduled ones, but they do occur. If you notice patterns — like outages always on certain days — that is usually scheduled maintenance, not a sign of poor reliability.
Can I still use my debit card if the website is down?
Yes. Your debit card works independently of the website and app. You can swipe or insert your card at stores, use ATMs, and make purchases online. The outage only affects your ability to log in and view your account or make transfers through Bank of America's systems.
What should I do if I see a suspicious transaction during an outage?
Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 when ready. Do not wait for the website to come back up. The phone line stays open during outages, and representatives can freeze your card, dispute transactions, and document the issue while the systems are down. The sooner you report it, the sooner the bank can investigate.
Is there a way to know about maintenance before it happens?
Yes. Bank of America posts maintenance schedules on their status page, and you can sign up for email or in-app notifications. You can also call 1-800-432-1000 and ask when the next scheduled maintenance window is. Planning important transactions for other days reduces the chance you will be affected.
Does Bank of America have a backup system I can use during outages?
The bank does not offer a separate backup website or app. During outages, your options are calling customer service at 1-800-432-1000, visiting a branch in person, or using your debit card for transactions. Some features may return before others, so it is worth trying again every 15 to 30 minutes if you need to access your account urgently.
This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.