If I missed a credit card payment, for how long does it affect my credit score? If you miss a payment on a credit account, the account will show 6 years of payment history, even once it is paid off. Related articles Can people living at my address affect my score? How long will it take for my score to improve? I’m still paying my student loan – will that affect my score adversely? Can other people’s debts affect my credit score? Do all lenders use your score?