Is Charles Schwab Down Right Now?
How to check if Schwab is having an outage, how to access your account when schwab.com won't load, thinkorswim troubleshooting, and how to trade by phone during a system failure.
📡 Monitor your APIs — know when they go down before your users do
Better Stack checks uptime every 30 seconds with instant Slack, email & SMS alerts. Free tier available.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
⚡ Check Schwab Status Now
Schwab has no public status page. Use these real-time sources to check for outages:
Schwab's Platforms — Each Can Fail Independently
Charles Schwab operates multiple trading platforms. An outage on one doesn't necessarily affect the others:
Is It Schwab or Your Connection?
Quick Diagnostic
- ✅ Downdetector shows spike → widespread Schwab outage confirmed
- ✅ Schwab.com fails but mobile app works → web-only infrastructure issue
- ✅ thinkorswim desktop fails but web works → desktop application issue
- ✅ Can log in but orders fail → trading system specifically down
- ✅ Works on mobile data but not WiFi → your home network or router
- ✅ Cleared cache + incognito still fails → likely real Schwab issue
Check downdetector.com/status/charles-schwab
The fastest real-time signal. A spike significantly above the 24-hour baseline (shown in the graph) confirms a widespread Schwab outage. Also search "Schwab down" on Twitter/X — active traders post within minutes of market-hours issues.
Try the Schwab mobile app as a backup
The Schwab mobile app (iOS/Android) and Schwab.com use partially independent infrastructure. During website outages, the app often continues to function. If you need to place an urgent trade and the website is down, the app is your first alternative.
Switch to thinkorswim Web (tosweb.com)
If the thinkorswim desktop application is failing, try thinkorswim web at tosweb.com — it runs entirely in your browser and bypasses desktop application issues. Sign in with your Schwab credentials. While it lacks some desktop-only features, it supports full order entry and position management.
Clear browser cache and cookies
If Schwab.com gives errors on load, clear your browser's cookies and cache for schwab.com specifically (not all sites). Try an incognito/private window. Try a different browser entirely. These steps resolve ~30% of Schwab.com "not working" reports that aren't actual outages.
Call 800-435-4000 for urgent trades
Schwab's phone trading desk operates 24/7. Representatives can place, modify, and cancel orders even during full website outages. During major market events with simultaneous outages, expect hold times of 30-90 minutes. Have your account number and verbal verification answers ready.
Document trade impacts with timestamps
If the outage prevents an important trade, screenshot every error message with the timestamp visible. Note exact times you attempted actions. Schwab has a formal error trade review process for confirmed system failures — documentation is essential for any review request.
When Schwab Is Most Likely to Go Down
Schwab outages cluster around predictable high-traffic events:
Secure Your Brokerage Accounts Against Credential Theft
Investment accounts are prime targets for account takeover attacks. 1Password creates and stores unique, unguessable passwords for all your financial accounts — Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard — with built-in breach alerts.
Try 1Password Free →Alert Pro
14-day free trialStop checking — get alerted instantly
Next time Charles Schwab goes down, you'll know in under 60 seconds — not when your users start complaining.
- Email alerts for Charles Schwab + 9 more APIs
- $0 due today for trial
- Cancel anytime — $9/mo after trial
Schwab Emergency Contact Options
Phone Trading (24/7)
800-435-4000 — Schwab's main line. Phone reps can place, modify, and cancel orders even when all digital platforms are down. Hold times vary — up to 90 min during major outages.
thinkorswim Web Backup
tosweb.com — Browser-based version of thinkorswim. Login with your Schwab credentials. Full order entry and position management without needing the desktop application.
Twitter/X Updates
Follow @CharlesSchwab and search "Schwab down" in real-time tweets. Schwab's social team posts outage updates during major incidents.
Local Branch
Schwab has 300+ branch locations nationwide. For extended outages affecting large transactions, branch personnel can assist with account access and certain transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Schwab cover losses from system outages?
Schwab does not automatically compensate for losses caused by platform outages. However, Schwab has an error trade review process for trades materially impacted by confirmed system failures. You must initiate a review promptly after the outage resolves and provide documentation (screenshots with timestamps, trade intent, and market prices at time of failure). Outcomes vary — Schwab may adjust execution prices or waive fees, but does not guarantee loss coverage.
Is thinkorswim having issues separate from Schwab.com?
Yes — thinkorswim (inherited from the TD Ameritrade acquisition) runs on partially separate infrastructure from Schwab.com. It's possible for thinkorswim to be down while Schwab.com works, or vice versa. If thinkorswim is your primary platform, always keep the thinkorswim web (tosweb.com) as a backup. The thinkorswim desktop client can also encounter Java compatibility issues, firewall blocks, or update failures that look like outages but are actually local configuration problems.
Why does Schwab keep logging me out?
Frequent Schwab logouts are caused by: (1) Session timeout — Schwab automatically logs out inactive sessions after 10-15 minutes for security; (2) Multiple simultaneous sessions — logging in from a second device can terminate the first session; (3) Browser cookie deletion settings; (4) Security system detecting unusual activity (e.g., login from a new location or device); (5) Account security holds. If you're being logged out immediately after login, call 800-435-4000 — your account may have a security flag that needs clearing.
Why is my Schwab account showing the wrong balance?
Incorrect balance displays on Schwab are usually temporary and caused by: (1) Settlement lag — sold positions take T+1 or T+2 to settle; (2) Schwab's balance calculation cache not updating in real time during high-load periods; (3) Pending transactions not yet reflected; (4) Corporate actions (dividends, splits) processing in the background. If your balance is materially wrong and persists for more than 24 hours, contact Schwab customer service to investigate. Never assume a balance display error means money is missing.
Your Investment Data Is Being Sold — Stop It
Data brokers publish your net worth estimates, financial behaviors, and personal details. Optery automatically removes your information from 350+ data broker databases, protecting you from targeted financial scams.
Scan Free with Optery →