Checking What to Save If a Platform Outage Affects an Open Trade

When a platform outage hits while I have an open trade, my first instinct used to be to refresh and wait. Now I switch to gathering evidence. I do not know how long the outage will last or how support will handle it, so I save what I can see before anything changes.

I start with the outage notice. I screenshot the banner, status page message, or login error with the date and time visible. If the notice has a reference number, I copy that into a plain text file. I also save a screenshot of the full screen, not just the message, because the clock and account label help tell the story later.

Next I capture the position. I take screenshots of the open trade ticket, the order details, and any stop or target fields. I write a dated note with the instrument, size, entry, current price, and the time I last saw the platform working. I do not rely on memory. If I have a mobile app, I check whether it shows the same state and save that too.

Then I save support messages. If I open a chat or send an email, I copy the transcript, ticket number, and timestamps. I keep my wording factual: what I saw, when I saw it, and what I could not do. I avoid guessing about the cause or making demands I cannot support.

Here is the short list I keep in a folder for each event:

• Outage notice screenshot with date and time
• Trade ticket and order confirmation screenshots
• Dated note of position details and last known prices
• Support transcript or ticket number
• Any follow-up messages until the issue is resolved

I use generic example numbers when I practice this, such as a position size of 2 lots or a stop 40 points away, so the note format is ready before a real event. For record-keeping habits and provider terms, I check platform trade notes and the provider’s own current terms. The goal is simple: a clear, dated file I can review calmly after the outage ends.

— Alex Morgan