Hi everyone First post here so go easy on me . I started an application with Interactive Brokers and decided to try out their paper trading account while I wait for approval. I like the TWS software so far except for one issue - my charts do not update automatically. I know the data is delayed and I'm fine with that. But I have to manually refresh the chart in order to draw the most recent bars. In addition, there are question marks to the right of the bars and all of my indicators. I have attached an image of my chart. Hopefully this is just me being stupid and there is an easy fix. Thanks in advance! Ken
Welcome! Just set the update intervall at top of the window (there are some menues)... You have 5 minutes activated. Switch to a shorter timeframe like 1 minute or even shorter... You can use your paper account also with realtime data, but for this your regular account must first be created, funded, and then you have to subscribe to realtime data...
Actually just to be clear - I want 5 minute candles for my chart. The issue I am having is that the price doesn't update (I can sit there staring at the chart for 20 minutes and the price does not move and no new bars are drawn). So are you saying there is a menu option to change the refresh rate of the chart (which I would think should be automatically set to many times per second) or are you referring to switching to 1-min, or shorter time frame, candles? I am used to the Thinkorswim platform where the price is constantly updated - meaning the bar is constantly moving in step with the actual price of the stock. Thanks again, Ken
The stable version of TWS works fine here (but I use realtime data). Could it be that you maybe have installed the "latest version" (ie. beta)? Otherwise I would suggest to just open a support ticket at IB's Message Center by providing all the relevant data like TWS version, OS, RAM, free RAM, free HD/SSD space, internet connection type (ie. via LAN or WiFi), number and type of network adapters etc. And also check that your firewall doesn't block some outgoing ports or destination adresses ... See also View/Data Connections:
Click on the "chart parameters" button on the chart toolbar and make sure the "keep chart up to date" box is checked.
Thank you both for your responses. @harami - I double checked that parameter and the box is checked on all of my charts. @marsman - I will take a look at my version and firewall but I suppose my best bet is to contact IB.
Have you tried waiting the delay time? I had a similar issue with Amibroker when I took a trial of IQfeed. I didn't get any realtime data just to see how they worked together and I actually had to wait 15 minutes or so then the chart synced up and started streaming delay feed. Unless I forced refresh of the chart it wouldn't stream until that delay time passed. Once I paid exchange fees it worked as expected. Just an idea, not sure if my scenario was a iqfeed thing, amibroker or perhaps something to do with the exchanges and delay feed rules.
Thanks Metamega. I'll try that. I don't think I've waited more than 15 minutes before moving on to another stock on the chart.
As said there is a stable version and a beta version. I would suggest to work with the stable version only. The beta is of course intended for beta-testers.