Why am I unable to trade or log in to my Interactive Brokers (IBKR) account?

There can be several reasons why you might be experiencing difficulties trading or logging into your Interactive Brokers (IBKR) account. Let's explore the possible causes and solutions:

1. Technical Issues:
   • If you are having trouble logging in or accessing your account, try these troubleshooting steps:
     1. Clear your browser cache and delete browser data.
     2. Log out from both the mobile app and desktop platform, then log back in.
     3. Try using a different browser, preferably in private/incognito mode to prevent storing cookies and temporary data.
     4. Use one of these non-redirect web login pages, which bypass certain routing processes:
        • HK server login page
        • US server login page
   • If the issue persists after trying these steps, additional investigation may be required.
2. Account Type Restrictions:
   • Financial Advisor (FA) managed accounts are trading disabled by default.
   • 'Trading disabled' accounts only allow access to Account Management & Settings features.
   • These accounts do not permit trading or access to trading platforms such as the Mobile App or Trader Workstation (TWS).
   • To resolve this, you can either:
     • Continue managing the account via your Financial Advisor
     • De-link the account from your Financial Advisor to allow full trading access
3. Cash Account Settlement:
   • In a cash account, you can only open new positions when there is a settled cash balance for the full value of the order in the currency of the stock you want to trade.
   • For example:
     • To trade in the US market, you need to have settled USD in your account.
     • Your cash balance in the Portfolio view shows both settled and unsettled cash together, so it's important to wait for the funds to settle before trading.
   • To find settlement dates, check the Trade Confirmation Report. For instructions on accessing this report, please see How do I download my trade confirmation reports?
4. Platform-Specific Issues:
   • If you are using a third-party platform (e.g., TradingView), ensure you are properly connected to your IBKR account and have the necessary permissions.
5. Account Restrictions:
   • Your account may have temporary trading or withdrawal restrictions. If you suspect this is the case, contact IBKR customer support for more information.
6. Insufficient Permissions:
   • Verify that you have the correct permissions for the type of trades you are attempting.

To further troubleshoot trading issues:

1. Check for any error messages or prompts when attempting to trade.

2. Try using different platforms (e.g., TWS or IBKR mobile) to see if the issue persists.

3. Review your account settings and permissions in your IBKR account management portal.

If you continue to experience issues after trying these solutions, please contact Interactive Brokers customer support for personalized assistance.