Hard inquiries, which occur when a lender checks your credit after you apply for a loan or credit card, typically stay on your credit report for up to two years. However, their impact on your credit score usually lasts for only about one year. After this period, the inquiries remain visible on your report but generally no longer affect your credit score
. Soft inquiries, such as when you check your own credit or a lender pre- approves you without a formal application, also stay on your report for up to two years but do not impact your credit score
. In summary:
- Hard inquiries remain on your credit report for 2 years.
- They usually affect your credit score for only 12 months.
- Soft inquiries remain for 2 years but do not affect your score.
This timeframe allows lenders to see your recent credit activity while minimizing long-term negative effects on your creditworthiness
