The inconvenience you go through when you are not paid on time is understandable. This can mostly lead to delays in business, you need to know how to trick PayPal into releasing funds. Moreover, the money can be gotten in other instances on behalf of the person who cannot tolerate the long PayPal hold waiting time.
PayPal usually releases money after 21 days and this process is called “payment hold” in any country. Luckily, there are quicker ways you can make PayPal release the money. This article also points out what causes this problem and how it can be prevented in the future.
How to trick PayPal into releasing funds

So, how can I get PayPal to release funds immediately?
PayPal can be made to release funds sooner than 21 days if your orders are hassle-free or the bought items are not high-risk. The following are ways to trick PayPal into releasing funds:
1. Update tracking information and delivery confirmation
If you are able to update your tracking information and delivery confirmation, then PayPal will be tricked into releasing your funds faster.
This method is the PayPal 21 day hold loophole and PayPal release funds trick you can explore to get your money instantly. To automatically update your tracking information, print a USPS or UPS shipping label from your PayPal account a day after delivery to trick PayPal into releasing funds.
2. Add tracking information
To make PayPal release funds to seller, try adding tracking information with PayPal’s supported carriers a day after delivery, PayPal will release the funds within 3 days, which is when the carrier will be confirming delivery.
What if you don’t have tracking number? Normally, PayPal wants you to add tracking. Here’s how to get PayPal money off hold without tracking number:
If you need PayPal to release funds to seller, you can simply confirm receipt so the funds can be released by PayPal ASAP. Just go to “Add Tracking” and select an order status. Next, contact the buyer to confirm receipt for PayPal to release funds.
To prevent buyers from possibly getting funny ideas like claiming the money back since you have no tracking numbers, do not ask the buyer to release the funds or click “Add Tracking”.
Just wait until 21 days are over when PayPal will release your funds.
Note that the Confirm Receipt button only shows up if the order status is updated to Order Processed, Service Rendered, or Marked as “Shipped” by the buyer.
Generally, it’s not advisable to use PayPal after selling an item a buyer will collect or that’ll be personally delivered since no tracking number means you have no seller protection. That is to say that a buyer can collect the item and then files a dispute for non-receipt of the item, which will cost your business since you would have no tracking number to prove that you delivered the item to them. Thus, you lose the dispute and can’t trick PayPal into releasing funds in 5 minutes.
Use a service like eBay, which offers you the option of “Cash on Collection” and allows a seller to state in your description that it is the only payment they accept.
That said, if your account is subject to the new seller hold, it means that your funds are only released after the tracking shows delivery of the item or after 21 days.
3. Update the order status
Is your PayPal money still on hold after delivery? Updating the order status is another PayPal trick to get your money from PayPal instantly or under 24 hours. It applies to services or intangible goods (non shippable items) such as software, knitting lessons, e-books, etc. Therefore, by doing this, you trick PayPal into releasing funds, at most within 7 days.
If “PayPal money on hold not a seller” is your issue, that means you may have received the funds from family and friends. This will happen if your account has been inactive for a long time. Also, be sure you did not mark any option that makes PayPal consider you a seller while receiving the money as a non seller on PayPal.
Reasons PayPal holds your funds
There are many instances where PayPal refuses to release your money from your account. This can be a result of them wanting to get more details or information about the activities going on in your account. The following are reasons for the actions taken by PayPal after putting your account on a hold.
a. You’re a new seller
First-time sellers on PayPal will be required to set up a good history in their transactions, showing a trustworthy buyer-seller pattern.
Nevertheless, as a first-time seller, PayPal can still be made to release funds without delay by getting your identity verified when creating a positive history of activities going on in your account.
Also, if you created a stealth PayPal account or engaged in any illegal activities like sending fake payment proof to someone, PayPal can put your money on hold until after an investigation.
b. Your customers filed for a refund, dispute, or chargeback many times
PayPal can choose to hold your funds if too many customers request a refund, chargeback, or dispute. Obviously, the answer is to resolve any chargeback or disputes immediately with your customers.
Also, if someone illegally uses another person’s PayPal account to get your product, the owner of the account has the right to request a refund, chargeback, or dispute. Do well not to ship the items so you won’t be at a loss or have to trick PayPal into releasing funds.
c. No sales recorded for sometime
If you’ve not traded your items for a long time, to prevent PayPal from holding any funds coming into your account, you will have to take time and rebuild a positive history of transactions, carried out between buyers and sellers in your account.
d. High-risk items
Higher-risk items like tickets, gift cards, computers, travel packages, or consumer electronics make PayPal holds funds till the issues are resolved. Money can also not be released depending on the kind of item.
e. Unusual selling pattern
A change in your selling pattern can also trigger PayPal into putting your funds on hold. This includes:
- a recent spike in your sales
- a change in your average selling price
- business platform or
- type of items you now sell
How to prevent PayPal from holding funds
You might think “PayPal holding funds illegal” but that’s not the case due to the agreement you accepted while signing up on PayPal. Above, I’ve explained how to get pending money from PayPal faster. But for now…
Below are ways to prevent PayPal from holding onto your funds:
1. Check your PayPal email notification
Do well to check and read notifications sent to your account. If you have been paid by your customers and the funds are not released by PayPal, they will send you a notification. This email notification is usually labeled “An important message about your PayPal balance” and can also be seen on your Account Overviewpage.
This notification from PayPal explains why payments are not available and how you can stop them in the future.
2. Prevent PayPal refunds, disputes, and chargebacks
PayPal holds your funds as a result of so many disputes, refunds, and chargebacks filed by different customers. In this way, PayPal can be tricked into releasing these funds by:
Photos: To prevent customers from filing for disputes, refunds, and chargebacks, do well to post real photos of your product.
Shipping: Have a full understanding of shipping and handling time. Make sure to discuss the cost and methods involved in processing orders with your customers.
Packaging: Make sure that products delivered to your customers are packaged properly in appropriate materials to avoid damages that will make the customers file for a refund or chargeback.
Tracking information: Either a tracking information of the supported PayPal Carrier should be uploaded or you print a USPS/UPS shipping label through your PayPal account.
Return policy: To avoid issues with your customers, tell them about your refund policy.
3. Work closely with buyers
Be sensitive and also willing to help out your customers. Communicate with them and try to provide the necessary information they need to avoid issues from intensifying and also reduce the number of customer claims, disputes, and chargebacks.
Also, be honest and open with your customers, and resolve any misunderstanding through the resolution center.
4. Set up customer service message in the resolution center
To prevent disputes, set up a customer service message in the resolution center. For example, a case whereby shipping is delayed in your area as a result of a natural disaster can prevent a dispute.
FAQs
Will PayPal release funds after 21 days?
Yes, PayPal will release funds after 21 days if you follow the instructions contained in your received PayPal email and wait.
How long is money on hold on PayPal for?
Your funds on hold on PayPal is held for 21 days. However, you can do several things (as mentioned in this guide) to expedite this timeline.