Hey there, fellow investor! Ever hit that "Place Order" button on ETRADE and then, milliseconds later, had that sinking feeling of "Oh no, I need to cancel that!"? We've all been there. Whether it's a typo, a change of mind, or a sudden market shift, knowing how to quickly cancel an ETRADE order can save you a lot of stress (and potentially money!).
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you're equipped to handle those "cancel!" moments with confidence. Let's dive in!
Navigating the Waters: Understanding Order Cancellation on E*TRADE
Before we get to the "how-to," it's crucial to understand a few key things about order cancellation on E*TRADE. Not all orders are created equal when it comes to cancelability.
Market Orders: These are designed to be executed immediately at the best available price. Once the market is open and a market order is placed, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to cancel. They often execute in fractions of a second.
Limit Orders, Stop Orders, and Other Conditional Orders: These orders are placed at a specific price or triggered by a specific condition. They generally remain "pending" until their conditions are met or they expire. These are the types of orders you have the best chance of canceling.
Trading Hours: The ability to cancel an order is highly dependent on whether the market is open or closed, and during which trading session (regular, pre-market, after-market, overnight). Orders placed outside of regular market hours are often queued and become "pending" until the market reopens.
The Golden Rule: Time is of the essence. The sooner you attempt to cancel, the higher your chances of success.
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| How To Cancel Etrade Order |
Step 1: Identify the Urgent Need – Do You Need to Cancel?
Before you even think about clicking anything, take a deep breath.
Is it a genuine mistake? Double-check the stock symbol, quantity, order type, and price. A hasty cancellation of a correct order is just as bad as not canceling a wrong one.
Has the order already been executed? If your order was a market order during active trading hours, there's a high probability it's already gone through. Check your order status immediately. If it's executed, you'll see it reflected in your positions, not in your pending orders. In this case, you'd need to place a new order to reverse your position (e.g., if you mistakenly bought, you'd now sell).
Engage with yourself here: Are you absolutely sure you need to cancel this order, or is there a possibility it's already filled, or that you're second-guessing a good decision? Take a moment to confirm.
Step 2: Accessing Your Orders on E*TRADE
Whether you're using the E*TRADE website or their mobile app, the first step is to locate your active or pending orders.
QuickTip: Ask yourself what the author is trying to say.
Sub-heading 2.1: On the E*TRADE Website
Login to your E*TRADE account: Go to the E*TRADE website (
us.etrade.com) and enter your User ID and Password.Navigate to the "Orders" section: Once logged in, look for a menu or tab that says "Orders," "Accounts," "Trading," or "Portfolio." Often, "Orders" will be a distinct tab or a sub-menu item under "Accounts" or "Trading."
Locate "Pending Orders" or "Order Status": Within the "Orders" section, you'll typically find categories like "Pending Orders," "Executed Orders," "Order History," or "Order Status." Click on "Pending Orders" or the equivalent to see all your active, unfulfilled orders.
Sub-heading 2.2: On the E*TRADE Mobile App
Open the E*TRADE Mobile App: Launch the E*TRADE app on your smartphone or tablet.
Login: Enter your credentials or use biometric login (Face ID/Touch ID) if enabled.
Find the "Orders" Tab: Look for a navigation bar at the bottom or top of the screen. You'll usually see an icon or text for "Orders," "Portfolio," or "Trade." Tap on the "Orders" tab.
View Pending Orders: Similar to the website, the app will likely show you a "Pending" or "Open Orders" section. This is where you'll find the order you wish to cancel.
Step 3: Identifying the Order to Cancel
Once you're in the "Pending Orders" section, you'll see a list of your unexecuted orders.
Carefully review the details: Don't just click the first "cancel" button you see! Verify the following for the order you intend to cancel:
Security Name/Symbol: Make sure it's the correct stock, ETF, or option.
Quantity: Confirm the number of shares or contracts.
Order Type: (e.g., Limit, Stop, Market)
Price: If it's a limit or stop order, ensure the price matches your intended cancellation.
Date/Time Placed: This helps ensure you're looking at the most recent order if you've placed multiple.
Step 4: Initiating the Cancellation Request
Once you've positively identified the order, it's time to cancel it.
Sub-heading 4.1: Cancelling on the Website
Locate the "Cancel" Button/Link: Next to the specific order you want to cancel, there will typically be a "Cancel" button or a small "X" icon.
Click "Cancel": Click on this button.
Confirm the Cancellation: E*TRADE will almost certainly prompt you with a confirmation message, asking "Are you sure you want to cancel this order?" Read this confirmation carefully to ensure it's the right order before proceeding.
Click "Confirm" or "Yes": Finalize your cancellation request.
Sub-heading 4.2: Cancelling on the Mobile App
Tip: Patience makes reading smoother.
Tap on the Order: In your "Pending Orders" list, tap on the specific order you wish to cancel. This will usually open a detailed view of that order.
Find the "Cancel Order" Option: Within the order detail screen, look for a "Cancel Order" button or similar clear instruction.
Confirm the Cancellation: As with the website, you'll receive a pop-up confirmation. Verify the details one last time.
Tap "Confirm" or "Yes": Execute the cancellation request.
Step 5: Verifying the Cancellation Status
After initiating the cancellation, it's imperative to verify that it was successful.
Check "Pending Orders": The order should disappear from your "Pending Orders" list.
Check "Order History" or "Canceled Orders": Some platforms will move canceled orders to a separate "Canceled Orders" or "Order History" section with a "Canceled" status.
Look for Confirmation: You might receive an on-screen confirmation message, an email, or a notification within the app confirming the cancellation.
Important Note: A "cancel pending" status means your request has been received but not yet processed. This typically happens during very active trading, or if the order was just about to execute. Keep an eye on it. If it remains "cancel pending" for an unusual amount of time or if the market conditions seem to have passed the order's criteria, you might need to contact E*TRADE customer service (see Step 6).
Step 6: When to Contact E*TRADE Customer Service
While the self-service options are usually efficient, there are times when direct assistance is necessary.
Order Won't Cancel: If you follow all the steps and the order remains pending or shows an error, contact customer service immediately.
Order Status Confusion: If you're unsure about an order's status (e.g., did it execute, or was it canceled?), their team can provide clarity.
Urgent Situations: For high-value trades or time-sensitive errors, a quick call to customer service can be the most effective solution.
Pre-Market/After-Hours Issues: While you can cancel many orders during extended hours, sometimes specific issues arise that require assistance.
E*TRADE Customer Service Contact Information: You can typically find their contact number on their website (us.etrade.com) under "Contact Us" or "Support." As of my last update, a general customer service number for E*TRADE is 1-800-ETRADE-1 (1-800-387-2331). Always double-check their official website for the most current contact details and operating hours.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to check if my E*TRADE order was executed?
Quick Answer: Log in to your E*TRADE account (website or app), navigate to the "Orders" or "Portfolio" section, and look for "Executed Orders" or a similar tab. Your filled orders will appear here.
QuickTip: Skim slowly, read deeply.
How to cancel a market order on E*TRADE?
Quick Answer: Market orders are designed for immediate execution and are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to cancel once placed during market hours. They usually fill within seconds. If it's already executed, you'll need to place a new trade to reverse the position.
How to cancel a limit order on E*TRADE?
Quick Answer: Log in, go to "Orders" > "Pending Orders," find your limit order, and click/tap the "Cancel" button next to it. Confirm the cancellation when prompted.
How to cancel an E*TRADE order outside of market hours?
Quick Answer: Orders placed outside of regular market hours are typically pending. You can usually cancel them through the "Pending Orders" section on the website or app before the market reopens and the order has a chance to execute.
How to modify an E*TRADE order instead of canceling?
Quick Answer: Similar to canceling, go to "Orders" > "Pending Orders." Some pending orders may have a "Modify" option next to the "Cancel" button. If available, click/tap "Modify" to adjust parameters like price or quantity.
QuickTip: A short pause boosts comprehension.
How to cancel a Good-Til-Canceled (GTC) order on E*TRADE?
Quick Answer: GTC orders remain active until filled or canceled. To cancel, go to "Orders" > "Pending Orders" (or "Open Orders") and follow the standard cancellation steps by clicking the "Cancel" button next to the GTC order.
How to know if my E*TRADE order cancellation was successful?
Quick Answer: The order should disappear from your "Pending Orders" list and often appear in an "Order History" or "Canceled Orders" section with a "Canceled" status. You may also receive an email or in-app notification.
How to avoid placing wrong orders on E*TRADE?
Quick Answer: Always double-check all order details (symbol, quantity, price, order type) before clicking "Place Order" or "Confirm." Consider using preview order screens if available.
How to contact E*TRADE customer service for order cancellation issues?
Quick Answer: Call E*TRADE customer service at 1-800-ETRADE-1 (1-800-387-2331) or find their contact information on their official website under the "Support" or "Contact Us" section.
How to cancel an E*TRADE options order?
Quick Answer: The process for canceling an options order is the same as for stocks. Navigate to "Orders" > "Pending Orders" on the E*TRADE platform (website or app), locate the specific options contract order, and initiate the cancellation.
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