Incorrect Date and/or Time Display, Missing Historical Intraday Data, Chart Not Updating

Introduction

This page explains setting the Date and Time related settings in Sierra Chart and on your computer system. It explains correcting your computers clock and setting it accurately.

Date-Time Issues and Settings to Check

1. If the times displayed in Charts and Quote Lines on a Spreadsheet or Quote Board are incorrect or not what you require, then the Time Zone setting in Sierra Chart may be incorrect. Select Global Settings >> Time Zone on the menu to change this.
   
   Set the Time Zone control to the time zone you want times displayed in. For complete details and instructions to use the Time Zone control, refer to the Time Zone documentation page.
   
   The time zone can be set differently for individual charts. Refer to Using Different Time Zone in Individual Charts.
2. With some Data and Trading services, time stamping of real-time data and the timestamp that is needed for historical data requests is based upon your computer's clock. This is only the case with Interactive Brokers.
   
   In these cases, it is critical that both your computer's Date-Time and Time Zone are set correctly. Follow the instructions in the Setting Computer System Date-Time and Time Zone section to correct these.
   
   After setting the Date-Time on your computer, you will need to re-download the Intraday data in Intraday charts which have incorrect timestamps, by going to each Intraday chart and selecting Edit >> Delete All Data And Download. You only need to use this command once on an Intraday chart for each symbol. You do not need to do it twice for the same symbol.
3. Make certain that the Time Zone setting in Windows is correct. Refer to the Setting Computer System Date-Time and Time Zone section for instructions.

Setting Computer System Date-Time and Time Zone

It is essential when using Sierra Chart that your computers clock is set accurately. For instructions, refer to NTP Protocol Client. Those instructions also explain what to do if you encounter an error when setting the computer's Date-Time.

The Time Zone setting in Windows must also be correct. For example, if your computers clock is set to US Eastern time, then the Time Zone setting in Windows needs to be US Eastern. Otherwise, data could be time stamped incorrectly and this could also cause data to be missing from the charts. To change the Time Zone in Windows, go to the Date and Time program in Windows Control Panel. For further details, refer to How to Change the Time Zone in Windows 10 (https://www.tenforums.com).

When setting the Time Zone in Windows make certain that the Automatically adjust clock for daylight savings time changes option is enabled if it is available for the time zone you will be using. After enabling this option and applying it, verify that the clock setting is still correct. And if it is not correct, correct it.

Main Window Title Bar Date and Time

The Date and Time on the main Sierra Chart window is derived from your local computer clock. It is adjusted by the Time Zone setting in Sierra Chart.

Therefore, if it is not accurate it means your computer's clock is not set accurately or the time zone setting on the computer is not correct.