How to tell if Charles Schwab's website is actually down
Charles Schwab's website goes down occasionally for maintenance, updates, or technical problems. Before you assume the site is down, check whether the problem is on Schwab's end or yours. Open a different website — your bank, Gmail, or a news site — to confirm your internet connection works. If other sites load normally but Schwab does not, the issue is likely with Schwab's systems.
Next, check the Charles Schwab status page at schwab.com/status. This page shows real-time updates about service outages, maintenance windows, and which platforms are affected. Schwab posts notices here before scheduled maintenance and updates the page during unplanned outages. The status page tells you whether the main website, mobile app, trading platforms, or customer service phone lines are down.
If the status page shows everything is operational but you still cannot access your account, try clearing your browser cache and cookies. Restart your browser completely, or try a different browser altogether. Sometimes a cached version of a page prevents you from logging in even when the site itself is working.
Key Takeaways
- Check the Charles Schwab status page at schwab.com/status to see whether Schwab's systems are down or under maintenance.
- Test your internet connection by opening a different website — if other sites load, the problem is with Schwab, not your connection.
- Clear your browser cache and cookies, or try a different browser, because cached data sometimes blocks login even when Schwab's servers are working.
- During major outages, call Schwab's customer service line to confirm the outage and ask when service is expected to return.
- Scheduled maintenance usually happens outside market hours, so check the status page before market open if you plan to trade.
What to do while the website is down
If Schwab's website is genuinely down and you need to reach your account, use the Charles Schwab mobile app instead. The app sometimes remains available even when the website experiences problems, because they run on different systems. Log in with your username and password just as you would on the website.
If both the website and app are down, call Schwab's customer service line at 1-800-435-4000. Representatives can answer questions about your account, help you place trades by phone, and tell you when the website is expected to come back online. Phone lines typically stay open even during website outages, though wait times may be longer than usual.
For time-sensitive trades during an outage, Schwab also offers trading by phone. Tell the representative you want to place a trade, and they will execute it for you. There is no extra fee for phone trades during an outage.
Scheduled maintenance windows
Charles Schwab performs scheduled maintenance regularly, usually outside trading hours. Maintenance typically happens on weekends or after market close on weekdays. During these windows, the website and some trading platforms may be unavailable for 30 minutes to several hours.
Schwab announces scheduled maintenance in advance on the status page and sometimes through email to account holders. If you plan to trade early in the morning or on a Monday, check the status page the night before to see whether maintenance is scheduled. This prevents you from trying to log in during a known outage window.
Outages that affect only certain features
Sometimes Schwab's website is up but specific features do not work — for example, you might be able to log in but not see your account balance, or you can view your portfolio but cannot place trades. These partial outages are listed on the status page by feature or platform.
If you can log in but a specific tool is broken, try using a different tool to accomplish the same task. For instance, if the web platform will not let you place a trade, try the mobile app or call customer service. Partial outages usually resolve faster than full outages because they affect fewer systems.
Outages during market hours versus after hours
An outage during market hours (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday) is more disruptive than one after hours because you cannot execute trades while the market is open. If the website is down during market hours, use the mobile app or phone trading to place urgent trades.
Outages after market close or on weekends are less urgent because you cannot trade anyway. You can usually wait for the website to come back online before taking action. However, if you need to check your account balance or review positions before market open the next day, the mobile app or a phone call to customer service can help.
What causes Charles Schwab outages
Schwab's outages fall into two categories: planned and unplanned. Planned outages are scheduled maintenance, software updates, or system upgrades. These are announced in advance and usually last less than two hours. Unplanned outages are caused by technical failures, network problems, or unexpected issues. These are less predictable and may last anywhere from minutes to several hours.
Major market events sometimes strain Schwab's systems. During periods of very high trading volume — such as market crashes or major earnings announcements — the website may slow down or become temporarily unavailable. This is not a true outage but a capacity issue. The site usually returns to normal speed once trading volume drops.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Charles Schwab outages usually last?
Scheduled maintenance typically lasts 30 minutes to two hours and happens outside market hours. Unplanned outages vary widely — some last minutes, others several hours. Check the status page for an estimated time to resolution, or call customer service at 1-800-435-4000 for the latest information.
Can I still see my account balance if the website is down?
Usually yes, through the Charles Schwab mobile app. The app often stays available when the website is down because they use separate systems. If both are down, call customer service and a representative can tell you your balance and account details over the phone.
Will I lose money if I cannot trade during an outage?
An outage does not cause you to lose money directly. However, if you cannot execute a trade you intended to make, you might miss a market opportunity. During outages, use the mobile app or phone trading to place urgent trades. For non-urgent trades, wait for the website to return.
Does Charles Schwab notify customers before scheduled maintenance?
Yes, Schwab posts scheduled maintenance on the status page in advance, usually several days ahead. Some customers also receive email notifications. Check the status page before you plan to trade early in the morning or on weekends to avoid surprises.
What if the status page says everything is fine but I still cannot log in?
Clear your browser cache and cookies, restart your browser, or try a different browser. If that does not work, try the mobile app. If the app also will not let you log in, call customer service — there may be an issue with your specific account that is not reflected on the status page.