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OptionsApp

Troubleshooting Checklist for Problems

Updated: July 26, 20254 min read

This checklist walks you through the most common causes step by step when OptionsApp isn't working as expected. In practice, most issues can be categorized into one of two groups below.

Checklist overview

CASE 1: Connection issues between TWS and OptionsApp. Category Connection/Timezone/Market Data: "Market: Unknown", incorrect times/timezone, missing market data, frequent reconnects, TWS hanging/"No response", API/Sync warnings, Historical Data Problem, ...

CASE 2: Scheduled trades are not opened (message: "Trade could not be submitted") or do not appear. Category Opening/Execution: "Trade could not be submitted", scheduled trade doesn't appear/trigger, no strike found, opposite Close Order, ...

Below you'll find troubleshooting checklists for both cases. If you can't categorize your problem, please work through both checklists.

First, you should always check that you have the latest OptionsApp version and the appropriate TWS version recommended in the user portal installed. See: Video 1: User Portal, Download and Installation

CASE 1: Connection issues

1. TWS ↔ OptionsApp: Check connection settings

  • Set TWS API and Precautions settings correctly.
  • Configure IP, Port, and Timezone correctly in OptionsApp
  • After changing settings, we recommend restarting TWS and OptionsApp completely.
  • see Connection problems OptionsApp to TWS

2. Timezone & Auto-Restart

  • Set TWS and OptionsApp to identical timezone (typically US/Eastern).
  • TWS: Enable Auto Restart (not Auto Logoff) after US market close (see Recommended TWS Restart Settings).
  • Note: Auto-Restart only works for a maximum of 1 week; manual login required after that.
  • We recommend restarting OptionsApp once per week as well

3. Live market data available?

  • Required live market data: SPX Index, SPX/SPXW Options, VIX Index, SPY ETF, SPY Options
  • Important: Index data (SPX and VIX) must also be available for OptionsApp to calculate Entry Conditions.
  • see Required live market data for using OptionsApp

4. Trading permissions available?

  • Missing permissions prevent order placement; check/request in account management (IBKR/Introducing Broker).
  • see Video 10: Check market data & trading permissions

5. Fix "Market: Unknown"

  • If the message "Market: Unknown" appears in the Dashboard, perform a reconnect in OptionsApp. If this doesn't help, restart TWS and OptionsApp.
  • IB data server (TWS "DATA" panel) must be completely green.
  • see Error message "Market Unknown"

6. Sessions, Ports & Users

  • If the same IB user logs in in parallel, the newly logged-in user will cut off live market data from the active user. This must be prevented, otherwise it will cause a connection break between OptionsApp and TWS.
  • Parallel instances each need their own user with their own live data, otherwise sessions will cut off each other's market data.
  • see Using multiple Sessions and Accounts and Can Paper Trading and Live Trading be used in parallel?

7. Server/Latency & Stability

  • Disable power saving/standby on your PC.
  • Many issues are caused by delays in TWS data connections and can be fixed by switching the IB data server (up to 10x faster queries).
  • see Request IB server change (zdc1.ibllc.com)

CASE 2: Scheduled trades are not opened / do not appear

1. Trade openings fail due to connection problems

  • The points listed under Case 1 may also be the reason why a trade is not opened.

2. Dashboard requirements

  • Did you select the correct Trading Day in the Dashboard?
  • Is the entry time not in the past?
  • Is the trade's strategy enabled?
  • Is the entry time within the trading hours of the Underlying?
  • see My trade doesn't appear in the Dashboard

3. Check Entry Conditions (Filter vs. Trigger)

  • Often there's a misunderstanding about the type of Entry Condition (Trigger or Filter).
  • Filter: one-time check at entry time / Trigger: waiting window; triggers when crossing/entering.
  • see Entry Conditions: Overview & Application

4. Read logs (identify cause)

  • There are 2 indicators for why a trade is not executed:
    • Entry condition not met: The entry conditions were not met.
    • "Trade could not be submitted": Check details in log.
  • see Trades are not being executed

5. Strategy limits & configuration

  • Trades often aren't opened because strategy settings don't allow it. Please check the following:
    • Max open Trades reached?
    • Quantity set to > 0?
    • Weekly mode: Days set correctly?
    • For Trigger: Max Executions set to > 0?

6. Strike search & Template parameters

  • Template parameters should also be checked for plausibility, such as:
    • Target Premium/Delta chosen realistically?
    • Price range too narrow?
    • Dependent Legs: Offset sign correct; Spread width plausible?

7. Parallel operation (Paper/Live)

  • Instances cleanly separated (own ports/users/live data); otherwise market data is missing: no execution.
  • see Using multiple Sessions and Accounts

8. Wrong TWS version

  • Make sure to always use the TWS version that is recommended in the OptionsApp user portal cockpit, matching your OptionsApp version.
  • You can find this in the user portal cockpit.

Links to more helpful articles

Open support ticket

If the points listed above haven't resolved your issue, please send us an email to info@optionsapp.de. We'll take care of it as soon as possible.

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