How To Fix Thinkorswim Stuck On Installing Updates

How To Fix Thinkorswim Stuck On Installing Updates

Are you a Thinkorswim user who’s frustrated by the platform being stuck on installing updates?

If so, you’re not alone. Dealing with this issue can be quite bothersome, especially when you’re eager to use the platform for your trading activities. 

In this article, we’ll walk you through some common and effective methods to fix the issue of Thinkorswim stuck on installing updates.

How To Fix Thinkorswim Stuck On Installing Updates?

Thinkorswim for Stuck On Installing Updates

Down below, we have discussed the solution in step-by-step detail.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

It’s essential to first check your internet connection to ensure it’s stable and active.

An intermittent or slow connection can hinder the update process for Thinkorswim. 

Here are the steps to Check your internet connection:

  • Turn off your router or modem, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on.
  • If the problem persists, you can reset your network settings on your device. Go to the network settings menu and look for an option to reset or restart network settings.
  • If you’re using Wi-Fi, try switching to a wired connection to rule out any potential wireless issues.
  • Restart your router or modem to refresh the connection.

2. Wait It Out

Some users have suggested waiting for the update process to complete, as it may take some time depending on your time zone

In certain cases, the update servers may be experiencing high traffic, causing delays in the update process.

If the update doesn’t seem to progress, it can be worthwhile to simply give it some time, as the process might eventually complete on its own once server demand stabilizes.

3. Restart Your Computer

Many users have found success in simply restarting their computer, which can reset the state of the software and resolve update issues.

It’s a straightforward and often effective solution to try before moving on to more complex troubleshooting steps.

4. Force Quit And Restart

The first and simplest step to try is to force quit the Thinkorswim application and restart it. This can often resolve temporary glitches that might be causing the update process to hang.

On Windows:

  • open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find Thinkorswim under the “Processes” tab, right-click on it, and select “End Task” to force quit the program.

On a Mac:

  • Use the Force Quit Applications window (accessed by pressing Command + Option + Esc), select Thinkorswim, and click “Force Quit.”

5. Run Thinkorswim As Administrator

Running Thinkorswim with administrative privileges can sometimes overcome permission-related issues that might block the update process. 

This gives the application the necessary permissions to install updates that might otherwise be restricted.

Here are the steps to Run Thinkorswim as an administrator:

  • Select “Run as administrator” from the context menu.
  • If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click “Yes” to allow the application to run with elevated permissions.

6. Disable Firewall Or Antivirus Software

Sometimes, network-related issues can interfere with the update process. If you’re using a firewall or have strict antivirus settings, they might prevent Thinkorswim from updating properly.

Temporarily disabling your firewall or antivirus software can help determine if these are causing the issue, and then you can re-enable them after the update is complete.

Disable Windows Firewall:

  • Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.
  • Click on “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.”
  • Select “Turn off Windows Defender Firewall” for both private and public network settings.

Disable Avast Antivirus Software(the exact step may vary depending upon the software):

  • Right-click on the Avast icon in the system tray.
  • Hover over “Avast shields control.”
  • Select the duration for which you want to disable the shields (e.g., 10 minutes, 1 hour, until restart, or permanently).
  • Confirm your selection when prompted to disable the shields.

7. Delete The USERGUI Folder

Another common solution is to delete the USERGUI folder, which contains user interface customizations and may become corrupted.

This action can reset the application’s interface to its default settings and potentially resolve the update issue.

Here are the steps to delete the USERGUI Folder on your device:

  • On a Mac: you would go to Applications > Thinkorswim, find the USERGUI folder, and drag it to the Trash.
  • On Windows: navigate to the Thinkorswim installation directory, locate the USERGUI folder, and delete it.

8. Contact Thinkorswim Support

Contact thinkorswim Support to Fix thinkorswim stuck on installing updates

Reaching out to Thinkorswim’s technical support team can provide personalized assistance tailored to your specific update issue.

They have the expertise to guide you through more advanced troubleshooting steps and can remotely diagnose problems if necessary.