Robinhood Server Error: What to do?

One particular problem of “Robinhood server error” happened on Thursday, January 28, 2021, the app is completely inaccessible for some. This is largely due to the situation surrounding GameStop stock. So what to do when you are again caught in a similar situation?

You might also have seen an “unexpected server error” in the Robinhood app. The “unexpected server error” you’re seeing is not something new; but instead, you can now expect to encounter the error when using the Robinhood app.

What’s Robinhood?

Robinhood Markets, Inc. is an American financial services company headquartered in Menlo Park, California, known for pioneering commission-free trades of stocks, exchange-traded funds, and cryptocurrencies via a mobile app introduced in March 2015. The first thing you encounter is a come-on: Commission-free investing, plus the tools you need to put your money in motion. Sign up and get your first stock for free. Certain limitations and fees apply.

Plenty of trading opportunities. Here’s a downer: For U.S. residents only.

What’s the Robinhood server error?

Users commonly see these error messages of the Robinhood app on their phones. As a result, users cannot access their crypto assets, funds, etc., on the Robinhood app. The Robinhood “unexpected server error” message makes many traders and investors furious and asks what it means.

A server error usually occurs when there is a hiccup with Robinhood’s servers, but this might not always be the case. It is possible to see an unexpected server error even when the servers are working fine. This has happened on Android and iOS devices alike. Several things could cause it.

Possible causes of the unexpected server error

Server issue ongoing

This recurring issue causes most Robinhood unexpected server errors. The ongoing server issue is something that the financial services company is trying to solve. Unfortunately, you might be experiencing this server error like so many other Robinhood app users, but the only thing users can do is wait for it to be resolved.

Consider visiting the Robinhood website. The unanticipated server error message is sometimes only displayed in the Robinhood app.

Inconsistency in TCP/IP networks

The second reason for the unexpected error message is a network inconsistency flowing from the router that could be hampering the connection between your device and the Robinhood servers. A reboot of the router and modem may resolve the Robinhood unexpected server error if this is the case.

Two different causes can cause the Robinhood unexpected server error. Though we understand that users are looking for “unexpected server error fixes,” it is crucial that you become familiar with the possible issues first.

Next, let’s look at different methods that other affected users have used to identify the problem and solve it.

Investigate the Robinhood app and the server error

In the first place, you should be sure a server issue is not causing the problem. Robinhood users will not be able to access its app in this situation.

Historically, non-accessibility had occurred many times during bear markets and downward trends when many investors and traders searched for ways to get out. The best way to figure out the issue is to visit Robinhood’s official status page and see if any server issues are currently reported.

On the official Robinhood status page, you should check whether all the sub-components are up and running and confirm no ongoing issues with the web version and Android and iOS apps.

However, it is essential to remember that only because you don’t see Robinhood reporting any server problems does not necessarily mean nothing is going on. The American financial services company is notoriously slow in updating its status page.

Perhaps the most effective way to learn about any issues with the Robinhood servers is to check directories, such as DownDetector, to find out whether other nearby users have reported the same kinds of issues.

If everything indicates an ongoing server issue that Robinhood is currently facing, unfortunately, you cannot do anything to find your way around the underlying server issue.

The only way you can gain access to Robinhood at a time like this is through the web version of Robinhood. Remember that this might only work when Robinhood’s unexpected server error is limited to mobile phone applications.

However, if there are no signs to suggest a problem with the Robinhood servers, continue reading to learn how to fix a possible network inconsistency.

Restart your router

After confirming that the error code is not due to a server problem, you can move on to troubleshooting an IP / TCP network inconsistency that may be preventing data from being exchanged between Robinhood and your device.

To our surprise, many users who were facing this error message have confirmed they could solve the problem by restarting their routers.

It is worth noting that sometimes you might have to reset your router to clear some networking issues and clear bad network data clusters.

The easiest way to go about this is by pressing the power switch, which should be on the back of the network device, to turn off the router. Wait for half a minute before turning the device back on.

IMPORTANT: When you’re waiting, unplug the power cable to ensure that the power capacitors are fully depleted.

Source: pixabay.com

After successfully restarting your router, connect your device with the internet connection and open the Robinhood app again to see if you still see the error message after putting in your account credentials.

If the problem persists, you might be able to fix it with a network reset.

Before moving on, you need to know that a network reset (unlike a router restart) will also reset all custom changes you might have made in your router settings, such as custom credentials and forwarded ports. Further, a network reset resets the ISP username and password as well. Upon resetting the network, you will have to provide them again.

Holding the reset button down will require a sharp object, such as a pin or toothpick. Press and hold the reset button until all of the lights on the device flash simultaneously. Let go of the reset button. Restarting your device may prompt you to re-enter your ISP username and password.

Following the network reset procedure, you can reconnect to the internet and open Robinhood to determine whether the same server error still exists or if the problem has been resolved.

If the error reoccurs after rebooting the router and the modem, try switching to a different Wi-Fi network or a mobile data connection. Should the issue persist, reboot the smartphone or tablet. Delete the Robinhood app.

Final words

Robinhood has seen unprecedented demand that is causing problems with the servers. Robinhood is likely aware of the unexpected server error notification and working to implement a fix. Although it’s frustrating, customers can only wait patiently for a solution right now. Check the Robinhood Help Twitter account for service status updates.

You can check here for the system’s status at any time. If there’s ever a system outage or other widespread problem, they will update the status page first. Still have questions? Contact Robinhood Support.

FAQs about Robinhood

Where can I learn more about investing?

Education is essential to financial empowerment. Robinhood Learn offers hundreds of digestible articles on the basics of investing, investing lingo, and market trends.

What’s a trading halt?

A trading halt is like a timeout for trading. During a halt, investors can’t buy or sell affected stocks or options temporarily, giving everybody a chance to catch their breath from erratic market movements. Halts are issued by stock exchanges like the NYSE and the Nasdaq, not by Robinhood.

Read more about market-wide trading halts and trading halts on individual stocks.

What to do when encountering a server error too often?

It’s pretty suspicious that it stops working right as I’m about to pocket 1k this morning. Extremely frustrating. And it seems like a lot of people are having the same problem. Act before it’s too late.

How do I pay taxes on my earnings from RH?

You’ll pay for the gains when you pay taxes for that year. Robinhood will send you a tax form called 1099 showing the gains or losses that you realized (when you sold) for the full prior year in February or so of the following year, you pay the taxes for the gains in April. If you held shares for more than a year before selling at a gain your gains likely qualify for special (lower) tax treatment called long-term capital gains. You do not need to pay the taxes you’ll owe from your Robinhood account, that could be money you have in your checking or you can save it up over the next few months before paying taxes by April 15th.

Why don’t I see a buy button?

• It’s a foreign stock, which we don’t support. For guidelines on eligible stocks, check out Assets Available on Robinhood.
• It’s an over-the-counter (OTC) stock or a warrant, which Robinhood generally doesn’t support.
• It’s a stock undergoing corporate action. The stock will be tradable again once the corporate action has been finalized.