Support Board
Date/Time: Sat, 29 Aug 2026 22:06:16 +0000
[User Discussion] - Any known issue using Desktop Clock' a MS widget/app causing SC lagging pricing and time
View Count: 268
| [2026-07-15 13:54:33] |
| User158823 - Posts: 20 |
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I noticed for the last 2 days that pricing and time was delayed by up to 20 seconds when I had 2 instances of a widget/light-weight app, called desktop clock. I compared the time on the chart to my local time on in the tray, as well as desktop clock time as well as Think Or Swim time. Sierra Chart pricing lagged Think Or Swim pricing and SC time lagged TOS, windows time and desktop clock app time. The first time I noticed this was yesterday and I closed everything down. Today I noticed it again. Both around 9:40 AM EST. This time, I only closed the Desktop Clock instances and the time and pricing on SC resolved. This is very concerning, as I saw pricing of 7620 on SC while it was 7616 on TOS for the ES contract. This doesn't imbibe me with confidence. Please know also, that I increased my Windows Time Sync to 17 minutes from the standard six hours because I was noticing slight time lag on Windows Time versus SC time. Is there a suggested Time Sync frequency? Thank you in advance. Gary Date Time Of Last Edit: 2026-07-15 15:26:04
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| [2026-07-15 16:31:05] |
| Calculus - Posts: 139 |
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Consider using the free DS Clock for a time/clock widget, been using it for many years, no problems with Sierra. I also use the utility - Dimension 4 - and that checks and if need be resets my PC clock every min to the exact time. Both work really well. Date Time Of Last Edit: 2026-07-15 16:31:54
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| [2026-07-15 17:59:14] |
| User158823 - Posts: 20 |
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Fantastic! Downloaded, installed, running. Seems light-weight. re: Dimension 4 Changed Sync Frequency to 1 minute, as per your response. Any thoughts on setting for 'Maximum Correction'. I'm otherwise keeping it at the default: enabled and 1 hour Thank you so much. Gary |
| [2026-07-16 10:49:11] |
| Calculus - Posts: 139 |
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I just checked, mine is actually set to 30 secs but I don't think there would be any different to 1m. With the 'Max Correction' mine is set to 2 hours just in case there's a problem when the clocks change. Glad you liked the software recommendations. The DS clock is very customisable. |
| [2026-07-16 13:43:08] |
| User158823 - Posts: 20 |
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Support, My Pricing is way off and so is the time. See attached. This is the 3rd day in a row. HELP. Impossible to trade like this See attached please |
 Pricing is lagging SIGNIFICANTLY as is time lagging by appox.jpg / V - Attached On 2026-07-16 13:42:45 UTC - Size: 804.92 KB - 54 views |
| [2026-07-16 14:02:09] |
| User158823 - Posts: 20 |
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Also note that the 'Clock - Real Time' study, which I added yesterday, is showing the correct time. It is the chart time that is lagging by approximately 1 minute.
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| [2026-07-16 15:21:38] |
| John - SC Support - Posts: 47697 |
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We will not compare our data against another system. There are too many variables to understand which system may be correct and which is incorrect. With regards to Sierra Chart, you need to add or move the "Data Delay" option for your Chart Header so that you can view it. In the Chart Header it is prefixed with "DD:". This gives the difference in time between the timestamps of the data against your computer clock. Refer to the following for how to add/move this item in the Chart Header: Working With Charts: Region Data Line / Chart Header The information in that Data Delay depends on your system clock being set to a standard, the same as the exchange itself. If your computer clock is different from the exchange, then that will show in that Data Delay, which must be taken into account. You can use Sierra Chart to synchronize your computer clock. Refer to the following: Network Time Protocol Client Once you have your computer clock synchronized, or you understand how much diffrent it is from the exchange, then the delay you see is the actual delay in the data. For the most reliable, advanced, and zero cost futures order routing, use the Teton service: Sierra Chart Teton Futures Order Routing |
| [2026-07-16 16:08:54] |
| User158823 - Posts: 20 |
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I understand the eschewing of comparing platform. My bad. That said, I'm glad you noticed the chart time different than the study 'Clock - Real Time'. I moved DD (data delay) into view - assumed format hh:mm:ss:thousandths of a second If I sync my local time (OS time) to your servers via NTP Client Enagle --> "yes", which sounds like the goto, then I'll likely have to disable the app 'Dimension 4', which I am currently using to sync the time every 30 seconds. I supposed I add your server for it to 1st cycle through to use to sync up to your servers, as the first call, using others as back up if it is down. Under NTP Client Settings, what controls the frequency of syncing --> Individual Server Polling Interval (seconds)? It is defaulted to 60. Can I drop that to 30? If I do this, then your service is doing what I had Dimension 4 doing, except that you use your set of servers for time, which may or may not be listed in Dimension 4. Current setting for my NTP Client Settings --> see attached file What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance. Sorry for the technical deep dive. Regards, Gary |
| GFM NTP Client Settings.jpg / V - Attached On 2026-07-16 16:08:50 UTC - Size: 247.68 KB - 54 views |
| [2026-07-16 16:20:15] |
| User158823 - Posts: 20 |
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I change the NTP Server to ntp_usmw.sierrachart.com:11497 (Sierra Chart US Midwest)
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| [2026-07-16 16:30:47] |
| User158823 - Posts: 20 |
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I think I'm good. I adjusted the NTP Settings as per the SC documentation - 15 second polling with SC MidWest Server selected. PFA I'll monitor the 'DD' today, if volume spikes from 2:30 - 4 PM EST and I'll confirm as well tomorrow morning for sure. Now that my local time is set from your servers, I'll have to use my phone as a control at least up to seconds. Thank you again. Gary |
| GFM NTP Client Settings UPDTD per SC Documentation.jpg / V - Attached On 2026-07-16 16:28:14 UTC - Size: 205.66 KB - 51 views |
| [2026-07-16 16:52:40] |
| User158823 - Posts: 20 |
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As an aside, just as a minor finding - pfa Obviously, it doesn't affect functionality - only user recollection. Blame the OCD ;-) Gary |
| Global Settings - Customize Keyboard Shortcuts - character d.jpg / V - Attached On 2026-07-16 16:51:35 UTC - Size: 108.91 KB - 57 views |
| [2026-07-16 21:55:00] |
| John - SC Support - Posts: 47697 |
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You do not NEED to use our NTP service. It was just a suggestion. If you had/have a way to keep your computer clock in sync, then that is all that matters. Now that it is synchronized, what you see in the Data Delay in the Chart Header is the real delay that is occurring with the data to your system. We will check on the Keyboard Shortcuts naming. Thanks for pointing it out. For the most reliable, advanced, and zero cost futures order routing, use the Teton service: Sierra Chart Teton Futures Order Routing |
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