What "Charles Schwab is down" usually means
When you see that Charles Schwab is down, it almost always means the website or mobile app is temporarily unavailable or running slowly — not that the company itself has closed or that your money is at risk. Schwab's trading systems, account data, and customer funds are stored on separate infrastructure from the public-facing website, so a website outage does not affect your actual account or holdings.
The phrase "down" can refer to several different situations: the website won't load at all, the app crashes when you open it, you can get to the login page but cannot access your account, or the site loads but trades and transfers are moving very slowly. Each has a different cause and a different timeline for resolution.
Key Takeaways
- A website or app outage does not mean your account or money is affected — those run on separate systems that Schwab maintains separately.
- Check Schwab's official status page or their social media accounts to confirm whether an outage is happening before you troubleshoot on your own.
- Most brief outages (under an hour) are caused by routine maintenance, traffic spikes, or temporary server issues and resolve without customer action.
- If Schwab's systems are down during market hours, you cannot place trades, but existing orders and positions remain intact.
- Planned maintenance windows are usually announced in advance through your account notifications and on Schwab's website.
Planned maintenance versus unexpected outages
Schwab schedules maintenance windows — usually on weekends or after market hours — to update systems, patch security issues, and add features. These are announced ahead of time through notifications in your account, on the Schwab website, and sometimes via email. During a planned maintenance window, the website and app will be unavailable, but this is expected and temporary.
Unexpected outages happen when servers fail, traffic spikes beyond capacity, or a software bug causes a crash. These are not announced in advance and are usually resolved within minutes to a few hours. Schwab publishes real-time status updates on their official status page (status.schwab.com) and on their Twitter account (@SchwabSupport), which is the fastest way to confirm whether an outage is actually happening.
How to check if Schwab is actually down
Before you assume there is a problem with Schwab's systems, rule out issues on your end. Clear your browser cache, try a different browser, restart your phone, or switch from WiFi to mobile data (or vice versa). Sometimes the problem is your internet connection, your device, or your browser — not Schwab.
If the problem persists, visit Schwab's official status page at status.schwab.com. This page shows real-time information about whether the website, mobile app, trading systems, and customer service are operational. You can also check @SchwabSupport on Twitter or look at recent posts on Schwab's Facebook page to see whether other customers are reporting the same issue. If the status page shows everything is operational but you still cannot access your account, the problem is likely on your device or network.
What you cannot do when Schwab's trading systems are down
If Schwab's trading or account systems are down during market hours, you cannot place new trades, execute transfers, or make changes to your account. Existing orders that were already placed may not execute, and you cannot cancel them. Your positions and holdings remain in your account — they are not lost — but you have no way to buy, sell, or move money until the systems come back online.
If you need to place an urgent trade during an outage, Schwab's phone line (1-800-435-4000) may be available, though call wait times are typically very long during major outages. Some customers have reported being able to place trades by phone when the website is down, but this is not may provide and depends on whether Schwab's phone systems are also affected.
How long outages typically last
Most brief outages last between 15 minutes and an hour. These are usually caused by temporary server issues, traffic spikes, or minor software glitches. Planned maintenance windows are usually scheduled for 2 to 4 hours, often on Saturday or Sunday mornings, and Schwab typically completes them on schedule.
Longer outages (several hours or more) are rare but do happen. Major incidents — such as a data center failure or a significant security issue — can take longer to resolve. Schwab publishes updates on their status page every 30 minutes or so during an active outage, so check back there if you need to know the current timeline.
What to do while you wait for Schwab to come back online
If you are in the middle of a trade or transfer when the outage happens, write down what you were trying to do — the security symbol, the number of shares, the dollar amount, the destination account — so you can complete it as soon as the system is back. Do not try to repeat the action multiple times, because each attempt may queue up in the system and execute all at once when service returns.
If you have a time-sensitive financial need — such as a large transfer that needs to clear by a certain date — call Schwab's customer service at 1-800-435-4000 to explain the situation. They may be able to help you manually or provide guidance on alternative ways to handle the transaction. During a major outage, hold times are usually very long, so be prepared to wait.
Why Schwab experiences outages
Schwab is one of the largest brokerages in the United States and handles millions of trades and account logins every day. Even brief spikes in traffic — such as when the market opens, during earnings announcements, or when there is major news — can strain the servers. Schwab invests heavily in infrastructure to prevent this, but outages still happen occasionally.
Security updates and patches are another common reason for planned downtime. Schwab must regularly update its systems to protect against new threats, and these updates often require taking systems offline. Unexpected outages can also be caused by hardware failures, software bugs that only appear under certain conditions, or issues with third-party services that Schwab depends on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose money if Schwab is down?
No. Your account balance and holdings are stored on Schwab's find backend systems, which are separate from the website and app. An outage means you cannot access or trade your account temporarily, but your money is not at risk. If you had open orders when the outage began, they may not execute, but they will not disappear.
Can I still see my account balance during an outage?
Usually not. If the website and app are down, you cannot log in to view your balance, positions, or transaction history. Your account data is safe, but you have no way to access it until the systems come back online. You can call Schwab's phone line to speak with a representative who may be able to tell you your balance, though wait times are typically long during outages.
What if I need to cancel an order during an outage?
If the trading systems are down, you cannot cancel orders through the website or app. Call Schwab at 1-800-435-4000 and explain that you need to cancel a specific order. A representative may be able to do this manually, though response times are slow during major outages. Have your account number and order details ready.
How do I know if the outage is affecting everyone or just me?
Check Schwab's official status page at status.schwab.com first. If it shows the systems are operational, the problem is likely on your end — try clearing your browser cache, restarting your device, or switching networks. If the status page shows an outage, it is affecting other customers too. You can also search Twitter for recent posts from @SchwabSupport or check Schwab's Facebook page to see what other customers are reporting.
Will Schwab notify me when service is restored?
Schwab updates their status page in real time during an outage, so you can check there to see when service is back. They do not always send email notifications when an outage ends, so it is your responsibility to check the status page or try logging in again after some time has passed. Following @SchwabSupport on Twitter is a good way to stay informed during major incidents.