There is nothing more terrifying for a futures trader than placing an order and immediately seeing a blank screen or a dreaded “500 Internal Server Error” message. In the high-speed world of trading, every second of downtime can mean missed opportunities or, worse, unmanaged risk in an open position.
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If you are currently staring at a Tradovate internal server error, take a deep breath. This guide is designed to get you back online immediately. We will cover why this happens, how to check if Tradovate is down for everyone, and the exact steps to troubleshoot the issue on your end.
What Is the Tradovate Internal Server Error?
An Internal Server Error (often designated as HTTP Error 500) is a generic error message indicating that the server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling your request.
In the context of Tradovate, this error usually means one of two things:
- Server-Side Issue: Tradovate’s own servers are experiencing an outage, high traffic load, or maintenance.
- Client-Side “Handshake” Failure: Your browser, internet connection, or local device is failing to communicate correctly with Tradovate’s data feeds.
Unlike a “Wrong Password” error, which is specific, an internal server error is vague. However, it is almost always fixable with a systematic approach.
Step 1: The “Is It Just Me?” Check
Before you start clearing caches or resetting routers, you must determine if the problem is on your end or Tradovate’s.
Check the Official Status Page
Tradovate maintains a real-time status page that monitors their critical systems, including:
- Live Frontend Access
- Market Data Feeds
- Order Execution
- Risk & Routing
Action: Go to status.tradovate.com.
- All Green Circles: The platform is operational. The issue is likely on your end.
- Red or Yellow Indicators: There is a known outage. In this case, no amount of troubleshooting on your computer will fix it. You must wait for them to resolve it.
Pro Tip: If the official status page says “Operational” but you still can’t login, check community forums like Reddit (r/Daytrading) or Twitter (X) searching for “Tradovate down.” sometimes user reports spike before the official status page updates.
7 Proven Fixes for Tradovate Connection Issues
If the servers are up, follow these steps in order to clear the error.
1. The “Hard Refresh”
Sometimes your browser holds onto an outdated version of the trading dashboard. A simple refresh isn’t enough; you need to force the browser to re-download the page data.
- Windows: Press
Ctrl+F5. - Mac: Press
Cmd+Shift+R.
2. Sync Your PC Clock (Critical Fix)
This is the most overlooked cause of trading platform errors. Tradovate’s security protocols require your computer’s time to be perfectly synced with their servers to prevent “replay attacks.” If your clock is off by even a few seconds, the server will reject your connection request, resulting in an error or endless loading screen.
How to fix it:
- Windows: Right-click the time in the taskbar > Adjust date/time > Click “Sync now”.
- Mac: System Settings > General > Date & Time > Ensure “Set time and date automatically” is toggled on.
3. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
Corrupted cache files are a leading cause of the “500 Internal Server Error.”
- Go to your browser settings (Chrome/Edge/Firefox).
- Search for “Clear Browsing Data.”
- Select “Cached images and files” and “Cookies.”
- Set the time range to “All time” and clear it.
- Restart your browser and try logging in again.
4. Try Incognito Mode or a Different Browser
Extensions (like AdBlockers or Pop-up blockers) can sometimes interfere with Tradovate’s complex JavaScript execution.
- Open an Incognito/Private window.
- Navigate to Tradovate.
- If it works here, a browser extension is the culprit. Disable them one by one to find the offender.
5. Reset Your Internet Connection
Trading platforms require a persistent, stable connection. A micro-drop in your internet might not stop a YouTube video (which buffers), but it will disconnect a live trading feed.
- Restart your Modem/Router: Unplug it for 30 seconds and plug it back in.
- Switch to a Wired Connection: If you are on Wi-Fi, plug in an Ethernet cable. Wi-Fi instability is a common cause of data feed errors.
6. Check for “Too Many Requests” (TradingView Users)
If you connect to Tradovate via TradingView, you may see an error saying “Too Many Requests.”
- The Cause: This usually happens if you have invalid credentials saved and TradingView keeps trying to auto-login, effectively “spamming” the Tradovate server until it temporarily blocks you.
- The Fix: Wait 60 minutes. This is a security cooldown that cannot be bypassed manually.
7. Disable VPNs and Firewalls
Strict firewalls or VPNs can block the specific ports Tradovate uses for real-time data transmission.
- Temporarily turn off your VPN.
- Check if your antivirus software is flagging the Tradovate web socket connection.
Emergency Protocol: “I’m Stuck in a Trade!”
If you have an open position and cannot access the platform to close it, do not waste time troubleshooting. You need to flatten your risk immediately.
Call the Emergency Trade Desk
Tradovate (via NinjaTrader) offers an emergency desk specifically for this scenario. They can manually flatten your position or cancel working orders.
- Phone: 312-423-2234 (Emergency Only)
- Hours: Market hours (Sunday 5 PM ET – Friday 5 PM ET)
- Requirement: Have your account number ready.
Warning: This line is for closing positions only. They cannot provide tech support or account information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does “500 Internal Server Error” mean on Tradovate?
It means the server failed to process your request. This could be due to a Tradovate outage, a corrupted browser cache, or a desynchronized PC clock preventing a secure connection.
Is Tradovate down right now?
You can verify the real-time status of the platform at status.tradovate.com. If all systems show “Operational,” the issue is likely on your end.
Why does my Tradovate keep disconnecting?
Frequent disconnections are often caused by unstable Wi-Fi. Trading data feeds require a constant stream of information. Switch to a wired Ethernet connection to resolve stability issues.
Can I use the mobile app if the web platform is down?
Yes! The mobile app often uses a different gateway than the web browser version. If your desktop isn’t working, immediately try logging into the Tradovate mobile app to manage your positions.
How do I clear my cache for Tradovate specifically?
In Chrome settings, go to “Privacy and security” > “Site settings” > “View permissions and data across sites.” Search for “Tradovate” and click the trash icon to clear data for just that site without wiping your entire browser history.
Will I lose money if the server goes down?
If you have open positions without a Stop Loss, you are at risk. It is “best practice” to always have a Stop Loss attached to your orders (using Brackets/ATM strategies) so your risk is managed even if you lose connection.
How do I contact Tradovate support?
For non-emergencies, you can email support@tradovate.com or use the live chat feature on their website. For trade emergencies, call the desk at 312-423-2234.
Does Tradovate work on weekends?
The platform is generally available, but market data will be paused. Maintenance is often performed on weekends, which may cause temporary “Internal Server Errors” while they update the system.
Why am I getting a “Rate Limit” error?
This happens if you attempt to login too many times with incorrect credentials, or if you have multiple devices (e.g., TradingView and Tradovate mobile) trying to connect simultaneously with a data plan that only supports one active session.
Why is my chart not loading but the DOM is moving?
This is a local data cache issue. Right-click the chart and select “Reload Chart” or refresh your browser. The price feed (DOM) uses a different data stream than the historical chart data.
Conclusion & Next Steps
A Tradovate internal server error is frustrating, but it is rarely permanent. By following the “Check Status > Sync Clock > Clear Cache” protocol, you can resolve 90% of these issues within minutes.
Your Action Plan:
- Bookmark the Emergency Trade Desk number (312-423-2234) on your phone right now.
- Download the Tradovate Mobile app as a backup for your desktop.
- Check your PC clock settings to ensure they are set to “Automatic.”
If you have tried all the steps above and still cannot connect, it is time to contact Tradovate Support directly to ensure your account hasn’t been locked for security reasons.
Stay calm, manage your risk, and happy trading.