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How long does it take for credit score to go up after consolidation?

Author

Sarah Martinez

Updated on January 26, 2026

There’s no guarantee that paying off debt will help your scores, and doing so can actually cause scores to dip temporarily at first. In general, however, you could see an improvement in your credit as soon as one or two months after you pay off the debt. Here’s what to expect as you pay off debt.

What bills improve your credit score?

While it depends on the circumstance, all of the following bills could impact your credit score for better or worse.

  • Rent payments.
  • Utility bills.
  • Cable, internet or cellphone bills.
  • Insurance payments.
  • Car payments.
  • Mortgage payments.
  • Student loan payments.
  • Credit card payments.

Will consolidating my debts affect my credit rating?

Consolidating debts into one payment and paying as agreed can help your credit and make budgeting easier — but there are risks as well. Consolidating your debt can lower your monthly payments, but it can also cause a temporary dip in your credit score.

Which is better consolidation vs loan?

Pay less in interest Another primary benefit of consolidating your debt is that, many times, you can secure a new loan with a lower interest rate. If you’re paying less in interest for your debt, you could possibly save hundreds or thousands of dollars over your loan term compared to if you didn’t consolidate.

How does debt consolidation help your credit score?

Not only does debt consolidation make paying bills more simple, but more importantly, it often results in a credit score boost for some individuals,” says Liz Pagel, senior vice president and consumer lending business leader at TransUnion. There are several ways to pay down credit card debt through consolidation.

Why does paying off a debt lower your credit score?

Be Careful Paying Off Old Debts If a debt is “charged off” by the creditor, it means they do not expect further payments. If you make a payment on a charged off account, it reactivates the debt and lowers your credit score. This often happens when collection agencies are involved.

What’s the best way to consolidate credit cards?

If it’s on the high end, that expense could eat up the savings you earn with the lower interest rate. Instead of taking out a personal loan, you could apply for a credit card that allows you to transfer and combine the balances onto a single card. Look for a card that has no balance transfer fee and an interest rate of 0% for at least a year.

What’s the best way to improve your credit score?

The second-most crucial component in your score is how much debt you’re carrying compared with your credit limit—your credit utilization ratio. In 2020, make it a goal to reduce any high interest credit card debt first, since that likely costs you more money in interest than, say, an auto loan or federal student loan does.