Start with five checks
Most problems are solved by one of these:
- Have you logged in to your broker today? API sessions end before each trading day, so a strategy cannot trade until you log in again.
- Are you on your registered static IP? Your broker accepts API orders only from the static IP registered for your API key.
- Is the segment active? Options and futures need F&O enabled on your broker account.
- Is there enough margin? Option buyers need the full premium in the account, and sellers need SPAN and exposure margin.
- Is the contract tradable now? Check market hours, holidays, expiry dates and the F&O ban list.
Login and connection problems
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Session expired or invalid token | Your broker ended the previous day's session | Log in to your broker again from QuantPower with a fresh two-factor code |
| Two-factor code rejected | Your phone's clock is out of sync, or the code expired | Set your phone to automatic time and use a fresh code |
| Invalid API key or secret | The key was deleted or regenerated, or was copied wrongly | Copy the current key and secret from your broker's API console into QuantPower |
| API subscription lapsed | Your broker charges for API access and the plan has expired | Renew it in your broker's API console, then log in again |
| IP not allowed or IP mismatch | The order came from an address that is not the static IP registered with your broker, for example after a router, internet plan or VPS change | Run QuantPower only on the computer or VPS that uses the registered IP, or update the IP with your broker; many brokers allow a change only once a week. See our broker connection requirements |
| Blank page or loop after broker login | The browser blocked a pop-up or cookies | Allow pop-ups for quantpower.tech, or try another browser |
| Funds or positions do not appear | The login did not complete, or the broker's API is down | Reconnect, then check QuantPower status and your broker's app |
| Account locked | Too many wrong passwords or codes | Unlock or reset the account with your broker, then reconnect |
Why orders get rejected
Your broker and the exchange check every order before it reaches the order book. The wording differs by broker, but rejections fall into a few groups. Our list of order rejection reasons covers broker messages in more detail.
| What you might see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Insufficient funds or margin | The order needs more margin than is free | Add funds or reduce lots. For spreads, buy the hedge legs first |
| Segment not enabled | F&O is not active on your broker account | Activate it with your broker, which may ask for income proof, and try again once it is active |
| Market orders not allowed | Your broker blocks market orders in this contract | Use a limit order priced near the best bid or ask |
| SL-M not allowed | NSE does not accept SL-M orders in options | Use an SL order with a buffer between trigger and limit |
| Trigger price on the wrong side | A sell stop's trigger is above the last price, or a buy stop's is below it | Move the trigger to the other side of the market |
| Quantity not a multiple of lot size | The lot size was revised, or the quantity is wrong | Update the quantity. Since 31 December 2025, Nifty's lot is 65 and Bank Nifty's is 30 |
| Quantity above freeze limit | The order is larger than the exchange's freeze quantity for that contract | Split it, for example with iceberg orders. Freeze limits change with lot sizes, so check NSE's current list |
| Price outside the price band | The exchange accepts limit prices only within a set range around the current price, and each option has its own band | Use a price inside the band your broker's terminal shows, closer to the best bid or ask |
| Security in ban period | The stock is in the F&O ban | You can only reduce existing positions until the ban ends |
| Order rate exceeded or too many requests | The strategy sent orders faster than the exchange or your broker allows | Space out orders. A self-built algo that is not registered must stay under 10 orders a second, and your broker's API may set lower limits |
| Contract not found or expired | The strategy points to an expired contract | Select a current expiry |
| Blocked by RMS | Your broker's risk team has restricted the contract or the account | Ask your broker for the reason |
Two rules cause many rejections on expiry day. Short index options need an extra 2% margin, and calendar spreads lose their margin offset, so a position that fitted your margin the day before may not fit on expiry day.
Many brokers also restrict new positions in stock options close to expiry, because in-the-money contracts settle by delivery of shares. Our guide to SEBI's rules for option trading covers these rules.
When a strategy does not trade
If the connection works but the strategy placed no order, check:
- Conditions: the entry rules may not have been met. Compare the strategy's conditions with the chart at the expected time.
- Timing: the strategy may be scheduled outside market hours, on a holiday or for an expiry that has passed.
- Status: the strategy may be paused, stopped or still in paper trading.
- Margin at entry: other positions may have used up the free margin.
- Session: the broker session may have ended before the entry time.
- Computer or VPS: QuantPower runs on your own computer or VPS, so it must be on and logged in to your broker during market hours.
When orders fill differently than expected
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Order placed but not filled | The limit price is away from the market, or the contract is thin | Price closer to the best bid or ask, or trade a more liquid strike |
| Partly filled | Not enough quantity at your price | Leave it open, change the price or cancel the rest |
| Stop loss filled worse than the trigger | The price moved quickly between trigger and fill | Review the buffer, or add a platform-level limit such as an MTM stop loss |
| Stop loss did not fill | The price jumped past the SL order's limit | Exit manually, then widen the buffer between trigger and limit |
| Positions differ between QuantPower and your broker | You traded the same contract by hand, or an order filled in parts | Refresh, and avoid trading by hand in positions a strategy manages |
| Duplicate orders | The same strategy was deployed twice, or an order was resent after a timeout | Check the order book before deploying again |
Our guide to order types explains triggers, limits and freeze quantities in detail.
A pre-market routine
| Time | Check |
|---|---|
| Before 9:00 | Log in to your broker from QuantPower, and confirm your funds appear and you are on your registered static IP |
| 9:00 to 9:15 | Check which strategies are scheduled and read any broker or exchange notices |
| 9:15 | The normal market opens for equity and F&O |
| During the day | Check the order book and positions after each entry |
| Before the close | Confirm intraday positions closed as planned |
Contacting support
Send these details so we can help quickly:
- your broker and client ID, but never your password, two-factor codes or API secret,
- the strategy name,
- the time of the problem,
- the order ID and the exact error message, and
- a screenshot, if you have one.
Email info@quantpower.tech, call +91 97111 30044, or use our contact page. If QuantPower is unavailable while you have open positions, manage them directly in your broker's app, because the positions are held with your broker.
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Frequently asked questions
What does an IP mismatch error mean?
Your broker received an API order from an address that is not the static IP registered with your API key. Send orders only from the computer or VPS that uses your registered IP, or update the IP with your broker.
Why was my order rejected when I have enough money?
Margin depends on the position, not only on the cash in your account. Selling options needs SPAN and exposure margin, expiry day adds extra margin on short index options, and money already blocked for other positions is not free. Check the required margin with a F&O margin calculator before you trade.
My strategy worked in paper trading but not live. Why?
Paper trading does not go through your broker, so it skips the broker's checks on login, static IP, segment, margin and order types. Check those first.
What should I do if an order is stuck as open?
It is waiting for its price. Change the price closer to the market, or cancel it. If a stop loss is stuck because the market moved past its limit, exit the position manually.
Can I trade by hand while a strategy runs?
Yes, but avoid the contracts the strategy manages. Manual trades change the position the strategy expects and can cause wrong exits.
Sources
- SEBI, circular on safer participation of retail investors in algorithmic trading, 4 February 2025, and glide-path circular, 30 September 2025 (sebi.gov.in) (checked 20 October 2026)
- NSE, implementation standards for retail algo trading, 5 May 2025, and operational modalities, 22 July 2025 (nseindia.com) (checked 20 October 2026)
- SEBI, measures to strengthen the equity index derivatives framework, 1 October 2024, and circular on expiry days, 26 May 2025 (checked 20 October 2026)
- NSE, equity derivatives contract specifications, lot sizes and freeze quantities (nseindia.com), and Business Standard, "F&O changes from today: Lower Nifty, Bank Nifty lots", 31 December 2025 (business-standard.com) (checked 20 October 2026)
- NSE, circular NSE/FAOP/49677 on discontinuation of stop-loss market orders in options, September 2021
- NSE Clearing, SPAN margin parameters and exposure margin rules