If you are experiencing issues with your linked accounts, use the guide below to resolve common problems.
My Account Name, Account Type, or Account Owner is Wrong
If the details of your connected account (such as account name, type, or owner) are incorrect:
- Go to Settings > External Accounts.
- Select the account in question.
- Click Edit and update the relevant fields.
My Balance is Showing Incorrectly
If your connected account balance is not updating or appears incorrect, this is likely a connection issue.
- Try refreshing the connection under Settings > External Accounts > Refresh Account.
- If the issue persists, contact support or type "I’d like to connect with support" in the chatbot. Our team will work with Plaid to resolve the issue.
I Want to Hide Certain Accounts
If you see duplicate accounts or want to hide accounts from view within Betterment:
- Go to Settings > External Accounts.
- Select the account you want to hide.
- Click Edit > Hide Account.
This will remove the account from your financial overview, but it will not disconnect the account from Betterment.
I Want to Delete an External Account
- To delete a connected account, go to Settings > External Accounts, select the account, and choose Delete.
- To delete a funding account, go to Settings > External Accounts and select Remove Account.
⚠ Note: You must have at least one funding account linked at all times to enable ACH transfers. If you’re removing an external account, ensure you have a replacement linked first.
My External Account is Not Verified
If your external account is showing as "Not Verified", it may be awaiting micro-deposit verification.
To complete micro-deposit verification:
- Check your external bank account for two small test deposits from Betterment (typically less than $1 each). Deposits should appear within 1-2 business days.
- Log in to Betterment > Settings > External Accounts.
- Select the unverified bank account and enter the exact deposit amounts.
- Once confirmed, your bank account will be verified for use.
⚠ If you do not verify the deposits within the required timeframe, the linking request may expire, and you may need to restart the process.
Error: "We're having trouble submitting your selection. Try selecting your funding account in settings later."
This error usually means the bank you’re trying to link is blocked due to past fraud concerns. What to do:
- Try linking a different bank account as your transactional account.
- If the issue persists, contact support for assistance.
Betterment may restrict certain financial institutions due to security measures, but our team can help explore alternative solutions.
Unable to Search for My Bank or Credit Union
If you can’t find your bank or credit union when trying to link a funding or connected account, it means the institution is not supported by Plaid for instant linking. Try linking your bank account manually using your account and routing number instead. Here's how:
- Go to Settings > External Accounts > Link new account > Link Manually Instead (1-2 business days)
- If manual linking is not available for your account type (e.g., Betterment Checking external accounts), you’ll need to use a different financial institution.
My Routing Number is Being Rejected as Invalid
If you receive an error stating that your routing number is invalid, it means the financial institution has been blocked for security reasons and cannot be linked to Betterment. You will need to link a different bank account as your transactional account.
Unable to Link a Credit Card or Debit Card
Betterment does not support linking credit cards or debit cards as funding accounts. Only checking or savings accounts held at a U.S.-based financial institution can be used for deposits, withdrawals, or transfers.
What to do:
- If you were trying to link a debit card, instead try linking the checking account associated with that card using your account and routing number.
- Go to Settings > External Accounts > Link new account.
- If you were trying to link a credit card, you will need to use a checking or savings account instead.
I Want to Set Up Recurring Deposits From Multiple External Accounts
Betterment allows recurring deposits from different funding accounts.
✅ What You Can Do:
✔ Set up recurring deposits from different bank accounts into Betterment accounts.
- Example: Bank 1 deposits monthly into Betterment Account 1
- Example: Bank 2 deposits monthly into Betterment Account 1
- Example: Bank 1 and Bank 2 both depositing monthly into Betterment Account 1
Plaid Connection Failed – How to Fix It
If your Plaid connection fails, you may see a yellow banner in the External Accounts section indicating that the connection needs to be reattempted.
How to Fix a Failed Plaid Connection:
On a Web Browser:
- Log in to your Betterment account.
- Go to Settings > External Accounts.
- Look for the yellow banner indicating a connection issue.
- Click the banner and follow the prompts to reattempt the connection.
On the Mobile App:
- Log in to the Betterment app.
- Tap Menu (☰) > Settings > External Accounts.
- Look for the yellow banner at the top indicating a connection issue.
- Tap the banner and follow the prompts to reattempt the connection.
If Re-attempting the Connection Doesn’t Work:
- Contact Betterment Support for further troubleshooting.
- Some financial institutions may require additional authentication or may not support Plaid connections at this time.