TWS order will not execute outside regular hours

Quick answer

Read the outside-hours field on the actual order. Then check that the product, venue, and order type can trade at that time. GTC alone is not enough. A box in a preset sets a default; it is not proof that an old order has changed.

Educational software guidance. Trading involves risk. Read the financial and information disclaimers.

Step by step

1 Open the affected order and check its session attributes.
2 Compare its contract schedule with the time you expected it to trade.
3 Check the order type’s support for that session.
4 For future defaults, review Presets → the asset class → Timing. For the existing order, check its own attributes.
5 Confirm the updated broker order and status before expecting it to work outside the regular session.

A practical example

You choose GTC and expect a stock order to fill before the regular open. Check the separate outside-hours field and whether that product and order type can trade then. Next, look at the actual working order. A preset can help set future tickets, but it is not proof that the existing order has changed. If the session is not supported, another checkbox cannot create that market session.

Illustrative scenario, not a record of a trade placed during this review.

Screen reference

TWS duration menu showing DAY, GTC, IOC, overnight choices and Fill outside RTH — Duration and session eligibility are separate choices. These options were inspected without selecting a new value or sending an order. Captured in TWS paper mode on 3 October 2026. Open the image for full size.

How to confirm the result The order should show supported session eligibility for the intended contract and time.

Mistake to avoid

Do not assume every option or futures order follows US-stock extended-hours behavior.

Common questions

Is GTC enough?

No. It governs duration, not all session permissions.

Is overnight trading the same as outside RTH?

Not always. IBKR has specific overnight routing and eligibility rules.

TWS says Submitted but the order has not filled TWS order stuck on PendingSubmit TWS order is Inactive: find the actual reason

Financial and information disclaimers

Financial disclaimer

These guides explain software. They are for education, not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. No example is a suggestion to buy or sell a product or use a trading strategy. Trading can lose money, including all funds you put at risk. With margin, futures, short sales, or some options, losses can exceed your starting funds. Automation can fail, send duplicate orders, or act late. Stops do not guarantee a fill or a price. Review your orders and positions, and seek advice from a qualified professional for your own needs. Paper trades, examples, and past results do not predict live results or promise a profit.

Information disclaimer

This is general help based on the sources and check date shown on the page. Screens, settings, fees, data access, and product support can change or differ by app version, account, country, and broker. The content may contain errors or become out of date; accuracy, completeness, and continuous service are not guaranteed. Check current broker and app instructions before acting. Screenshots show where controls are; they do not prove that an order test passed. This guide does not replace broker terms or risk notices. References to IBKR and TradingView identify their products and do not imply their endorsement of this guide.