Call PG&E's automated payment line at 1-800-743-5000

The fastest way to pay PG&E by phone is their automated system. Call 1-800-743-5000 and follow the prompts to enter your account number and payment amount. The system accepts debit cards, credit cards, and bank account information. You do not need to speak to a representative — the entire process takes about five minutes.

The automated line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Payments made before 5 p.m. Pacific Time are typically processed the same business day. If you call after 5 p.m. or on a weekend, your payment will process the next business day.

Have your bill or account number ready before you call. If you do not have it, you can look it up on your PG&E online account or find it on a recent bill statement. The account number is a nine-digit number printed in the upper right corner of your bill.

Key Takeaways

  • PG&E's automated phone payment line is 1-800-743-5000 and operates 24/7 with no wait to speak to someone.
  • Payments made before 5 p.m. Pacific Time process the same business day; after 5 p.m. or on weekends they process the next business day.
  • You can pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank account information over the phone.
  • Have your nine-digit account number ready, which appears in the upper right corner of your bill.
  • If you prefer to speak with a representative, call the same number and select the option for customer service instead of automated payment.

What information you need before calling

Gather these details before you dial so the call goes smoothly. You will need your account number (nine digits, printed on your bill), the amount you want to pay, and a payment method — either a debit card, credit card, or checking or savings account number.

If you are paying from a bank account, have your routing number and account number ready. These appear at the bottom left of your checks. If you are using a card, have the card number, expiration date, and three-digit security code available.

You do not need to have your bill in front of you, but it helps. If you cannot find your account number, you can call PG&E's customer service line at the same number and ask a representative to look it up for you using your service address or phone number.

When your payment posts to your account

Timing depends on when you call and what day of the week it is. Payments made Monday through Friday before 5 p.m. Pacific Time post the same day. Payments made after 5 p.m. or on weekends post the next business day.

PG&E does not process payments on federal holidays. If you call on a holiday, your payment will post the next business day. Check PG&E's website or your bill for the current holiday schedule if you are paying near a major holiday.

Once your payment posts, you will see it reflected in your account balance within one business day. You can check your balance anytime by logging into your PG&E online account or calling customer service.

Paying with a credit card or debit card

The automated system accepts both credit and debit cards. When you reach the payment prompt, select the card payment option and enter your card number, expiration date, and security code. The system will confirm the amount and process the payment immediately.

Be aware that PG&E may charge a convenience fee for credit card payments. This fee varies but is typically 2 to 3 percent of your payment amount. Debit card payments usually have a lower fee or no fee at all. The system will show you the fee amount before you confirm the payment, so you can decide whether to proceed.

If you want to avoid the convenience fee, pay from your bank account instead. Bank account payments have no fee and process just as quickly.

Paying from your bank account

Paying directly from your checking or savings account is the cheapest option — there is no convenience fee. When the automated system asks for your payment method, select the bank account option and enter your routing number and account number.

The system will ask you to confirm the amount and the account you are paying from. Once you confirm, the payment processes immediately. The funds will be withdrawn from your account within one to two business days.

If you are unsure of your routing number, you can find it on the bottom left of your checks, or call your bank. Your account number is also printed on your checks. Some banks allow you to look up both numbers in their mobile app or online banking portal.

Speaking to a representative instead of using the automated system

If you prefer to pay over the phone with a person, call the same number — 1-800-743-5000 — and select the option for customer service or billing. You will be placed in a queue and connected to a representative. Wait times vary depending on call volume, but typically range from a few minutes to 15 minutes during business hours.

A representative can help you if you have questions about your bill, need to set up a payment plan, or want to discuss your account before paying. They can also process your payment using the same payment methods as the automated system.

Customer service hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Time, and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time. PG&E is closed on Sundays and federal holidays. If you call outside these hours, you can still use the automated payment system or leave a message for a representative to call you back.

What to do if your payment does not go through

If the automated system rejects your payment, it usually means one of three things: the card or account number was entered incorrectly, the card or account has insufficient funds, or there is a temporary system issue on PG&E's end.

Try calling back and re-entering your information carefully. If it fails again, call customer service at 1-800-743-5000 and speak to a representative. They can troubleshoot the problem, check your account for holds or flags, and process the payment manually if needed.

If your payment was rejected due to insufficient funds, you will need to add money to your account or use a different payment method. PG&E does not charge a fee for a failed payment attempt, but your bank or card issuer may charge an overdraft or insufficient funds fee if the transaction was attempted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set up automatic payments by phone?

The automated payment line does not set up recurring payments. To set up automatic monthly payments, you will need to log into your PG&E online account, call customer service and ask a representative to set it up, or visit a PG&E payment center in person. Automatic payments are deducted from your bank account on the due date each month.

Is there a fee for paying by phone?

There is no fee if you pay from your bank account. Credit card payments usually have a 2 to 3 percent convenience fee. Debit card payments may have a lower fee or no fee. The system shows you the fee before you confirm, so you can choose a different payment method if you want to avoid it.

What if I need to pay a past-due bill?

You can pay a past-due balance using the same automated phone line. Enter the amount you owe, and the payment will be applied to your account. If your service has been shut off due to non-payment, paying by phone will not restore service immediately — you will need to call customer service or visit a payment center to arrange reconnection.

Can I pay someone else's PG&E bill by phone?

The automated system requires the account number of the bill you are paying. If you have the account number and permission from the account holder, you can pay their bill. However, you cannot make changes to the account or set up payment arrangements — only process a one-time payment.

What if I do not have a debit or credit card?

You can pay from your bank account using your routing and account number. If you do not have a bank account, you can pay in person at a PG&E payment center, by mail, or through a third-party payment service. Call customer service at 1-800-743-5000 to learn about payment centers near you.