Error Message #
Alert Status
Trading is currently unavailable. The instrument is not in an active trading status.
This error appears in PickMyTrade when the connected ProjectX trading infrastructure reports that the selected instrument or symbol is temporarily unavailable for trading.
Root Cause #
According to ProjectX, this happens when the instrument you are trying to trade is not in an active trading state.
Because of this, the platform temporarily rejects all new orders for that symbol.
Common Reasons for This Error #
1. Daily Market Close #
ProjectX automatically performs end-of-day processing during market close.
What Happens #
- All open positions are flattened
- Pending orders are canceled
- New orders are temporarily blocked
Trading Pause Timing #
- Trading closes at: 3:10 PM Central Time (CT)
- Trading resumes at: 5:00 PM Central Time (CT)
During this window, the error may appear for all affected instruments.
Impact #
- Automated strategies fail to place orders
- Alerts trigger but execution is rejected
- Pending trades remain unexecuted
- Scalping systems may miss entries
2. CBOT Commodity Trading Pause #
For CBOT commodity instruments, there is a scheduled pause where orders are not accepted.
Pause Window #
- Monday to Friday
- From 7:45 AM CT to 8:30 AM CT
If an order is submitted during this period, ProjectX rejects it with the inactive trading status message.
Impact #
- Orders rejected immediately
- Strategies may generate false execution assumptions
- Webhook alerts continue but no execution occurs
3. CME Velocity Logic Event #
A CME Velocity Logic Event is a temporary exchange-level trading pause triggered when prices move too quickly in a short period.
This is a protective mechanism used by CME exchanges to reduce extreme volatility.
What Happens During Velocity Logic #
- Trading pauses briefly
- New orders are blocked
- Existing market activity freezes temporarily
- Trading automatically resumes after stabilization
Common Causes #
- Major economic news releases
- High volatility events
- Sudden liquidity gaps
- Aggressive market moves
Impact #
- Orders rejected temporarily
- High-frequency systems interrupted
- Delayed trade execution
- Potential slippage after trading resumes
Recommended Action #
Monitor CME market status during major news events
Wait for trading to resume automatically
Avoid aggressive order retries
4. Symbol Blocked in Risk Settings #
The symbol may be blocked in the ProjectX Risk Settings.
Check Here #
Settings → Risk Settings → Symbol Block
If the symbol is blocked:
- Orders for that instrument will be rejected
- The platform will show the inactive trading status error
Impact #
- All trades for blocked symbols fail
- Strategies appear operational but execution never occurs
- Repeated alert failures occur
Resolution #
Remove the symbol from the blocked list if trading should be allowed.
Recommended Troubleshooting Steps #
- Verify current market trading hours
- Check whether the market is in a scheduled pause window
- Wait a few minutes and retry the order
- Confirm there is no CME Velocity Logic halt active
- Review ProjectX Risk Settings for blocked symbols
- Confirm the instrument/symbol is valid and currently active
Additional Technical Reasons #
In some cases, the inactive trading status may also occur because of:
Expired Futures Contract #
Example:
MESM6may be expired or nearing expiration
When contracts expire:
- Liquidity decreases
- Exchanges disable trading
- Brokers reject execution
Recommended Action #
Roll over to the active futures contract.
Example Scenario #
If a user attempts to place an order for MESM6 during the daily close period, PickMyTrade will display:
Trading is currently unavailable. The instrument is not in an active trading status.
This is expected behavior until the market reopens.
Conclusion #
This error is generally not caused by PickMyTrade itself.
In most cases, the issue originates from ProjectX or exchange-level trading restrictions where the instrument is temporarily unavailable for trading.
