What to do when Charles Schwab is down or slow
If you can't log in, see error messages, or the site loads slowly, start by checking whether the problem is on Schwab's end or yours. Go to downdetector.com and search "Charles Schwab" — if hundreds of people are reporting outages in the last hour, Schwab's systems are down. If the outage map shows activity concentrated in your region, it may be your internet connection or your device.
While you wait for service to return, you can still reach your account through the mobile app if the website is down, or vice versa — they run on different infrastructure. If both are down, call Schwab's main line at 1-800-435-4000 to confirm the outage and ask when service is expected to return. During major outages, wait times are long, but the recorded message will tell you whether they're aware of the problem.
Key Takeaways
- Check downdetector.com to see whether the outage is widespread or specific to your location or device.
- Try the mobile app if the website is down, or the website if the app is down — they use separate systems.
- Call 1-800-435-4000 to confirm an outage and get an estimated time for service to return.
- During an outage, you cannot place trades or transfer money, but your account balance and holdings are safe and unchanged.
- Schwab publishes outage notices on their Twitter account (@CharlesSchwab) and their status page at schwab.com/status.
How to tell if it's Schwab's problem or yours
The fastest way to know is to try a different device. If you can't log in on your phone but the website works on your laptop, the problem is your phone — restart it and try again. If neither works, restart your internet router (unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in) and wait two minutes for it to fully boot.
If you still can't reach Schwab after restarting both your device and router, and downdetector shows hundreds of reports, Schwab is down. If downdetector shows no recent reports but you still can't connect, the problem is likely your internet service provider or your device's network settings — contact your ISP or restart your device in safe mode.
What you can and cannot do during an outage
During a Schwab outage, you cannot log in, place trades, transfer money, or view real-time account balances. Your money and investments are not at risk — they're held in Schwab's secure systems regardless of whether the website is working. The outage only blocks your access to the platform, not the underlying accounts.
If you need to make a time-sensitive trade or transfer during an outage, call 1-800-435-4000 and ask to speak with a broker. They can execute trades and transfers by phone while the website is down, though you may wait on hold. For routine questions that don't require immediate action, wait for service to return rather than calling, since outage periods create long hold times.
How long outages usually last
Most Schwab outages last between 15 minutes and two hours. Planned maintenance windows, which Schwab announces in advance, typically happen on weekends or after market hours and last 30 minutes to a few hours. Unplanned outages caused by technical failures are less predictable but are usually resolved within an hour.
During market hours (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern on weekdays), Schwab prioritizes getting trading systems back online first, then account access. If you're locked out during market hours, the company knows traders need access urgently and will work faster than during after-hours outages. Check their status page at schwab.com/status for real-time updates — it updates more frequently than their Twitter account.
Planned maintenance versus unexpected outages
Schwab announces planned maintenance in advance through email, in-app notifications, and on their status page. These windows are scheduled for low-traffic times — usually Saturday or Sunday mornings, or weekday evenings after 8 p.m. Eastern. Planned maintenance is predictable and brief, usually 30 minutes to two hours.
Unexpected outages happen without warning and are caused by server failures, network problems, or software bugs. Schwab publishes a notice on their status page and Twitter account within 15 to 30 minutes of detecting an unplanned outage. If you see no official notice but can't access your account, wait 30 minutes and check again — they may still be investigating.
Steps to take if you're locked out during a critical moment
If you need to trade or transfer money and Schwab is down, call 1-800-435-4000 immediately. Tell the representative you're experiencing an outage and need to execute a trade or transfer. They will verify your identity and can place trades or initiate transfers by phone, though they may ask you to confirm the action in writing after service returns.
If you're trying to sell a position because the market is moving against you, the broker can execute a market order by phone. If you're trying to buy before a price rises, be aware that phone orders may take longer to execute than online orders, and the price may have changed by the time the broker places it. Ask the representative for the current bid-ask spread before you commit to the order.
How to stay informed about outages
Follow Charles Schwab on Twitter (@CharlesSchwab) to get real-time outage notifications. Schwab posts updates there faster than on their website during active outages. You can also bookmark schwab.com/status and check it whenever you can't log in — the page shows current and past outages with timestamps and estimated resolution times.
Sign up for Schwab's email notifications in your account settings to receive alerts about planned maintenance. This way you won't be surprised by a weekend maintenance window. During earnings season or market volatility, outages are slightly more common because trading volume spikes and server load increases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose money if Schwab is down when the market is moving?
No. Your positions are held safely regardless of whether the website is working. You cannot place new trades or sell existing positions during an outage, but your holdings are unchanged. If the market moves against you while Schwab is down, you can call a broker to execute a trade by phone once service returns or while the outage is ongoing.
Can I access my money if Schwab's website and app are both down?
You can call 1-800-435-4000 and ask a representative to initiate a transfer to your bank account. They can process the request by phone, though it may take one to three business days to complete. Your money is not locked in — you just need to go through a broker instead of doing it online.
What if I see an error message instead of a complete outage?
Error messages like "service temporarily unavailable" or "connection timeout" usually mean Schwab's servers are overloaded, not completely down. Wait 10 to 15 minutes and try again. If the error persists, restart your device and router, then try once more. If it still fails, check downdetector to see if others are experiencing the same error.
Does Schwab compensate customers for outages?
Schwab does not automatically credit accounts for outages. If an outage caused you to miss a trade or incur a loss, you can contact customer service and file a complaint, but compensation is not may provide. Schwab's terms of service state that they are not liable for losses caused by outages beyond their control.