Why did my credit score drop 40 points for a hard inquiry?

Asked by: Iliana Wilderman  |  Last update: January 23, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (62 votes)

You applied for a new loan, which resulted in a hard inquiry. You've increased your credit utilization, perhaps by maxing out your credit cards. Often, a sudden 40-point decrease in your credit score is the result of two or more of these actions happening all at once or close together.

Why did my credit score go down 40 points for no reason?

Your credit score may be impacted if your credit mix has changed significantly. It's worth noting that a drop of 40 points is significant and may indicate a more serious problem, such as identity theft or fraud. Check your credit report for any unusual activity and report it immediately if you find it.

How many points will my credit score decrease with a hard inquiry?

But keep in mind that there are other credit-scoring companies and models, like VantageScore®, that a lender could use. A hard inquiry typically only causes credit scores to drop by about five points, according to FICO. And if you have a good credit history, the impact may be even less.

Why did my credit score drop 30 points after a hard inquiry?

Another situation when your score might drop is when you apply for a loan or new credit card and the lender performs a hard inquiry. Each inquiry could cause your score to fall by five points or more, and it may stay on your credit report for up to two years.

Why did my credit score go down after a hard search?

Whether or not you're accepted, 'hard' credit searches could affect your credit score, especially if you make a number of full credit applications in a short period of time. When you're approved for new credit, the average age of your accounts will drop, which might also reduce your credit score.

My Credit Score DECREASED Nearly 40 POINTS | Why I'm Not Worried

39 related questions found

How long does it take for a credit score to recover after a hard inquiry?

Hard inquiries stay on your credit report for two years, but they only affect your FICO Score for 12 months.

Why did my credit score drop but nothing changed?

Using more of your credit card balance than usual — even if you pay on time — can reduce your score until a new, lower balance is reported the following month. Closed accounts and lower credit limits can also result in lower scores even if your payment behavior has not changed.

Why did my credit score drop 37 points for no reason?

Credit scores can drop due to a variety of reasons, including late or missed payments, changes to your credit utilization rate, a change in your credit mix, closing older accounts (which may shorten your length of credit history overall), or applying for new credit accounts.

Is 700 a good credit score?

A 700 credit score is considered a good score on the most common credit score range, which runs from 300 to 850. How does your score compare with others? You're within the good credit score range, which runs from 690 to 719.

Why did my credit score drop 50 points overnight?

There are several reasons why your credit score may have dropped 50 points out of nowhere. Some common culprits include a late loan payment, increased credit utilization, or closure of an old account. A mistake on your credit report or identity theft could also cause your credit score to drop.

Will credit score go up after hard inquiry drops off?

In most cases, hard inquiries have very little if any impact on your credit scores—and they have no effect after one year from the date the inquiry was made. So when a hard inquiry is removed from your credit reports, your scores may not improve much—or see any movement at all.

What is the secret way to remove hard inquiries?

You cannot remove legitimate hard inquiries from your credit report. Fortunately, hard inquiries have a minimal impact on your credit, and they fall off your credit report after two years. If your credit report contains a hard inquiry that you don't recognize, you have the right to dispute it.

What is an excellent credit score?

For a score with a range of 300 to 850, a credit score of 670 to 739 is considered good. Credit scores of 740 and above are very good while 800 and higher are excellent.

How long does it take for credit score to go up after paying off debt?

How long after paying off credit cards does credit score improve? You should see your score go up within a month (sometimes less).

Why did my TransUnion score drop but Equifax went up?

The credit bureaus may have different information.

And a lender may report updates to different bureaus at different times. So, it's possible that Equifax and TransUnion could have different credit information on your reports, which could lead to your TransUnion score differing from your Equifax score.

Why is there a 40 point difference in my credit scores?

Credit scores can vary because of differences in the credit scoring algorithms that each reporting agency uses. There are many distinct credit scoring formulas used by creditors, lenders, and insurers to evaluate your creditworthiness.

Can I buy a house with a 704 credit score?

The minimum credit score needed to buy a house can range from 500 to 700, but will ultimately depend on the type of mortgage loan you're applying for and your lender. While it's possible to get a mortgage with bad credit, you typically need good or exceptional credit to qualify for the best terms.

Is a 900 credit score possible?

What is the highest credit score possible? To start off: No, it's not possible to have a 900 credit score in the United States. In some countries that use other models, like Canada, people could have a score of 900. The current scoring models in the U.S. have a maximum of 850.

Can I get 50000 with 700 credit score?

A 700 credit score can help you in securing a Rs 50,000 Personal Loan with many benefits, such as: Lower interest rates. Higher loan amounts. Faster approval process.

Why did my credit score suddenly drop 40 points?

Even if you make on-time payments, your credit score can drop if you open too many new accounts at once or use up all your available credit every month. A major drop in your credit score could also indicate errors on your credit report or, even worse, identity theft.

Why did my credit score drop 39?

You Have Late or Missing Payments

Your payment history is the most important factor in your FICO® Score , the credit scoring model used by 90% of top lenders. It accounts for 35% of your score, and even one late or missed payment can have a negative impact. So, it's key to make sure you make all your payments on time.

Is AnnualCreditReport.com a legitimate website?

AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site to get your free annual credit reports. This right is guaranteed by Federal law. You can verify this is the official site by visiting the CFPB's website. Don't be fooled by look-alike sites.

What habit lowers your credit score?

Late or missed payments can cause your credit score to decline. The impact can vary depending on your credit score — the higher your score, the more likely you are to see a steep drop.

Is the FICO score the same as the credit score?

FICO® Scores are a type of credit score, but not all credit scores are FICO® Scores. Checking your FICO® Score may be more beneficial, as 90% of top lenders use FICO® Credit Scores. There are different versions of FICO® Credit Scores finetuned for different credit products (like home and car loans).

Why did my credit score drop even though I pay everything on time?

you might have paid your bills on time, but you also need to check the balance you carry on each credit card. if you have a high credit utilization ratio, it can cause a drop in your credit score. you should check your credit limit usage on both an overall and per-card basis.