How to Remove Hard Inquiries From Your Credit Report

Every time you apply for new credit, the lender typically runs a hard inquiry on your credit report. A few inquiries are normal, but too many in a short period can lower your score and make you look risky to lenders. This guide explains which inquiries you can remove, how to dispute unauthorized ones, and how long they last.

Hard Inquiries vs. Soft Inquiries

Not all inquiries are equal:

Only hard inquiries influence your score, and only they can be disputed if they are unauthorized. Checking your own credit is always a soft inquiry, so it never causes harm. For the bigger picture on scoring, see our guide on [understanding credit scores](/guides/credit-scores).

How Much Do Hard Inquiries Hurt?

A single hard inquiry usually lowers your score by only a small amount and its effect fades within a few months. The bigger risk is applying for several new accounts in a short window, which can compound the impact and signal financial stress to lenders.

One important exception: when you rate-shop for a mortgage, auto loan, or student loan, multiple inquiries of the same type within a short window are typically counted as a single inquiry, so shopping for the best rate does not unfairly penalize you.

Step 1: Identify Every Hard Inquiry

Pull your reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com and list every hard inquiry. For each one, ask: did I authorize this? A legitimate inquiry from an application you submitted cannot be removed, but an unauthorized one can.

Step 2: Dispute Unauthorized Inquiries

If you find a hard inquiry you did not authorize, it may be an error or a sign of identity theft. Under the FCRA, you can dispute it with the credit bureaus, who must investigate. If the inquiry cannot be verified as authorized, it must be removed.

You can also contact the company that made the inquiry and ask them to remove it if it was made in error. Our [credit disputes guide](/guides/credit-disputes) explains the full process, and our free [dispute letter tool](/free-dispute-letter) helps you write the request.

Step 3: Watch for Signs of Fraud

Unauthorized inquiries can be an early warning sign of identity theft. If you see applications you never made, review your full report for other suspicious activity, consider a fraud alert or credit freeze, and read our guide on [protecting yourself from identity theft](/guides/identity-theft).

Step 4: Let Legitimate Inquiries Age Off

Authorized hard inquiries cannot be removed early, but the good news is they are temporary:

How to Minimize Future Inquiries

The Bottom Line

You cannot remove hard inquiries you authorized, but you can dispute unauthorized ones and be strategic about future applications. If you spot inquiries you never made, treat it as a possible fraud signal and act quickly.

> **Want a complete plan to clean up and protect your credit?** [Get our DIY Credit Report & Dispute Guide with dispute letters and step-by-step instructions for $9 →](/product)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove hard inquiries from my credit report?

You can remove unauthorized or fraudulent hard inquiries by disputing them, but you cannot remove legitimate inquiries from credit you actually applied for. Those age off on their own.

How long do hard inquiries stay on my report?

Hard inquiries stop affecting your FICO score after about 12 months and fall off your credit report entirely after two years.

How much does a hard inquiry lower my score?

Usually only a small amount, and the effect fades within a few months. Multiple inquiries in a short period have a larger combined impact.

Does checking my own credit cause a hard inquiry?

No. Checking your own credit is always a soft inquiry and never affects your score. Only applying for new credit creates a hard inquiry.

Are unauthorized inquiries a sign of identity theft?

They can be. If you see hard inquiries from applications you never made, review your full report, consider a fraud alert or credit freeze, and monitor for other suspicious activity.