Common NinjaTrader Errors and How to Fix Them

1) error: bad input (Logon failed)

Error Explanation: This error indicates that your credentials are missing in the connection configuration for your NinjaTrader platform.
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​Solution:
1. Ensure you have entered the correct credentials in the connection configuration.
2. Follow the appropriate setup instructions based on your platform:
• Rithmic & NinjaTrader Setup Instructions
• Tradovate & NinjaTrader Setup Instructions

2) session count to exceed its maximum

3) disconnect enforced by broker

Solution:
1. Verify that your settings are configured correctly.
2. Ensure that Market Data in RTrader Pro is set to OFF.
3. In NinjaTrader, go to the plug-in mode settings and make sure it is UNCHECKED.
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For detailed setup instructions, follow the steps provided here.

4) check your account connection parameters and internet connection (Logon failed)

Solution:
1. Verify that your LICENSE KEY and credentials are correct.
2. Open NinjaTrader and delete your APEX “My Rithmic for NinjaTrader Brokerage” connection under the connection configuration.
3. Click Apply, then OK to save the changes.
4. Close NinjaTrader 8 and restart it.
5. Re-add the APEX connection using your credentials.
6. Click Apply, then OK to save the new connection.
7. Reboot your machine and restart NinjaTrader 8.
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This process ensures the connection is reset and properly configured.

5) Order can be placed by administrators only

Explanation: This message indicates that your account has reached the drawdown limit and has been liquidated.
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​Solution: For detailed information and next steps, click here. Review your trading strategy to avoid exceeding the drawdown limit in the future.

6) The OCO ID cannot be reused

Error Explanation: This occurs because OCO (One Cancels Other) mode is activated, causing the initial OCO order to be canceled.
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​Solution:
1. Press CTRL + Z on your keyboard to deactivate OCO mode.
2. Confirm that the small green “OCO” icon is no longer active.
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For further instructions on managing OCO orders, click here.

7) toolkit version has expired

Error Explanation: This message pertains to a product or service provided by ApexInvesting.com.
​Solution: For assistance, reach out to Apex Investing directly through their support page here. They will be able to provide specific guidance regarding the error.

8) Unable to submit order - no handle affected

Solution:
1. Go to the Connections menu in NinjaTrader.
2. Disconnect from “MY Rithmic for NinjaTrader Brokerage”.
3. Wait a few seconds and then reconnect to the same connection.

9) Remove failed

Error Explanation: This message indicates an issue within your custom indicators.
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​Solution:
1. Review the error details in NinjaTrader’s Log tab to identify the problematic indicator.
2. Disable or remove the faulty custom indicator.
3. For detailed instructions on resolving indicator issues, click here.
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This will ensure your platform runs smoothly without interference from faulty indicators.

10) Send cancels only after 30 secs

Error Explanation: This message indicates that you have sent too many cancellation requests in a short period, triggering a system limitation. If you continue, the system may log you out.
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​Solution:
1. Wait at least 30 seconds before attempting any further cancellation requests.
2. Contact your broker to discuss this error, as it may indicate your account requires additional configuration.
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Addressing this issue with your broker is essential to prevent recurring problems and avoid potential account lockouts.

11) No such route exists

Solution:
1. Uninstall NinjaTrader 8 from your system.
2. Download and install the latest version of NinjaTrader 8 from the official website.
3. Follow the installation instructions provided here.
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Reinstalling ensures you are using the most up-to-date and stable version of the platform.

12) The IB you are trying to connect is not authorized

Solution:
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Close and restart your NinjaTrader 8 application to refresh the platform and resolve potential temporary issues.

13) thrown by the target of an invocation

Solution:
1. Close the NinjaTrader 8 application.
2. Reboot your computer to ensure all processes are refreshed.
3. Once the system restarts, open NinjaTrader 8 again.
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This process helps resolve many common issues by resetting the platform and system resources.

14) can't have a zero limit price

Solution:
1. Disconnect from your “MY Rithmic for NinjaTrader Brokerage” connection in NinjaTrader.
2. Wait a few moments, then reconnect to the same connection.
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This simple step often resolves connectivity issues with Rithmic on NinjaTrader.

15) Unable to connect to DB

Solution for Mac Users with Parallels:
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If you are using a Mac with Parallels, you must install NinjaTrader 8 version 8.0.26.1 instead of 8.0.27.0.
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This version is more compatible with the Parallels environment. Download and install the correct version to ensure smooth functionality. Restart your platform after installation to confirm the issue is resolved.

16) Rejected at RMS

Solution:
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To resolve this issue, disable the “Liquidating Only” option in your RTrader dashboard:
1. Open the RTrader dashboard.
2. Right-click on the account listed in the dashboard.
3. Select Enable Liquidating Only (Trader) to turn it off.
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This will allow normal trading activity on the account. Restart your platform to ensure the change takes effect.

17) You must set a date for TIF=GTD

Error Explanation: This error occurs because the Time in Force (TIF) is set to GTD (Good ’Til Date) without specifying a date.
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​Solution:
1. Enter a valid date for the GTD setting.
2. Alternatively, change the TIF setting to GTC (Good ’Til Canceled) or Day if no specific date is required.
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Adjusting the TIF ensures your orders are correctly configured and executed.

18) market not open

Error Explanation: This indicates that you are attempting to trade an expired contract.
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​Solution: Visit the CME Group Futures website to verify the current contract month for the instrument. To learn how to roll over your contracts to the current month, follow the steps provided here. Ensure your platform is updated with the latest contract to avoid trading issues.

19) Historical data failed to start

Solution:
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To resolve the issue, you need to turn off your market data. Follow the detailed instructions provided on this page. Ensure you complete every step as outlined to properly disable the market data and avoid further complications.

20) Auto log failed

Solution:
1. Navigate to the folder in the specified path.
2. Right-click on the folder and select Properties.
3. In the General tab, locate the “Read-only” attribute.
4. Uncheck the Read-only box and click Apply, then OK.
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This will allow NinjaTrader to access the folder without restrictions. Restart NinjaTrader to confirm the issue is resolved.

21) Unable to load risk template
Unhandled exception

Solution:
1. Close NinjaTrader completely.
2. Navigate to the following folder on your PC:
Documents\NinjaTrader 8\templates\Risk
3. Delete the file named NinjaTrader Brokerage Default.xml.
4. Restart NinjaTrader to resolve the issue.
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*Ensure NinjaTrader files are excluded from OneDrive syncing to avoid further issues.

22) Unable to recover NinjaTrader custom assembly

Error Explanation: This error indicates that another application on your PC, such as a cloud storage or backup provider like OneDrive, is blocking NinjaTrader from accessing its files.
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​Solution: Ensure that NinjaTrader directories are excluded from syncing or backup processes to prevent interference. Adjust your cloud or backup provider settings to allow uninterrupted access to NinjaTrader files.

23) No accounts were found

Error Explanation: This error indicates that there are no active Tradovate accounts linked to your NinjaTrader platform.
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​Solution: Verify your account status to ensure it is active. If necessary, log in to your account to confirm or activate your subscription. Once your account is active, reconnect it to NinjaTrader to resolve the issue.

24) account is currently set to liquidation

Message: Your Tradovate account on NinjaTrader has reached the drawdown limit and requires a reset.
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​Solution: To resolve this, log in to your Tradovate account and perform an account reset. This will clear the drawdown status and allow you to resume trading. Ensure you review your trading plan to prevent hitting the drawdown limit again in the future.

25) Atomic order operation in progress

Error Explanation: This error typically occurs when an additional action is attempted on an order that is in the process of being changed, filled, or canceled. NinjaTrader does not allow modifications to an order while the initial action is still in progress.
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​Solution: To avoid this error, wait until the initial action on the order is fully completed. Once the action is finalized, you can proceed with any further modifications or actions on the order.

26) Instruments not subscribed for real-time data

Warning: This message indicates that NinjaTrader has pre-loaded instruments that are not included in your data package. While these instruments may appear in your platform, trading them is not possible with your current account. Additionally, any data displayed for these instruments will be delayed. This is simply a notification and does not impact the functionality of instruments included in your data plan.
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​Tradovate Instruments

27) Password should be specified

Error Message: “Market data failed get_order_book error: 13”
This error indicates missing Level 2 market data required for the order book. To fix this, ensure that Level 2 data is included in your subscription. For Rithmic, enable Level 2 data under the Rithmic Addons section. For Tradovate, navigate to the web platform, go to Settings > Subscriptions, and add Level 2 data to your plan.
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​NinjaTrader Forum Solution

28) get_order_book error : 13

Error Message: Market data failed get_order_book error: 13 - This indicates missing level 2 data. You must add level 2 data for order book. For Rithmic, under Rithmic Addons. For Tradovate, on their web platform, go to Settings, Subscriptions, and add level 2 data.

29) already has a running connection

Error Message: “Provider ‘Rithmic for NinjaTrader Brokerage’ already has a running connection.”
This indicates that there are multiple instances of the Rithmic connection active. To resolve this, locate the previous connections in the NinjaTrader platform and select the “Remove” option next to any duplicate or unnecessary connections. This will ensure only one active connection is running at a time.

30) error fetching external content

Error Message: “Error fetching external content, please try again later.”
To resolve this issue, manually adjust your computer’s clock to the Eastern Time Zone. This will help synchronize your system with the required settings and fix the error.

31) unable to load log files
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​Error Explanation: This issue may be caused by Windows Defender or McAfee blocking NinjaTrader.
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​Solution: Follow these instructions for both Windows Defender and McAfee:
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​For Windows Defender:
1. Open Settings on your PC.
2. Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Security.
3. Select Firewall & network protection.
4. Click Allow an app through firewall.
5. Click Change Settings in the upper-right corner.
6. Check all the boxes for any NinjaTrader listings.
7. Click OK to save changes.
• Watch this short video for guidance: Screencast Tutorial.
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​For McAfee:
If Windows Defender adjustments don’t resolve the issue, follow the steps outlined in this McAfee guide: How to exclude files from virus scans on Windows or macOS (TS102056).
• Ensure you select the correct version of McAfee for your PC.
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Adding NinjaTrader as an exclusion in these programs should resolve the issue. Read more here.

32) disconnections from server

Error Explanation: This behavior suggests a connection loss between your computer and NinjaTrader servers.
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​Solution: Follow these network troubleshooting steps, testing after each one:
1. Restart NinjaTrader, your computer, and your modem/router.
2. Install all available updates for your PC via Windows Settings > Update and Security. Restart your computer after installing updates.
3. Disable your VPN service, if applicable.
4. Clear your DNS:
• Open the Command Prompt.
• Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
5. Add the Documents\NinjaTrader 8 folder to the exceptions list for your firewall, antivirus, or backup software.
6. If you’re using WiFi, switch to a wired ethernet connection; if you’re already hardwired, try connecting via WiFi.