Backtest Won't Start or Fails
Backtest Won't Start or Fails
If your backtest won't start, gets stuck, or fails with an error, use this troubleshooting guide.
Backtest Status Flow
A backtest moves through these statuses:
draft → queued → running → completed
→ failed
→ cancelled
Common Issues
"Queued" for a Long Time
Cause: The Celery worker may be busy processing other backtests.
Solutions:
- Wait a few minutes — backtests are processed in order
- If stuck for more than 10 minutes, try cancelling and resubmitting
- Check your internet connection and refresh the page
"Failed" Status
Common causes:
| Cause | Solution | |-------|----------| | No data available | Check data coverage for your instrument + timeframe + period | | Invalid strategy | Ensure at least one entry condition is set | | Timeframe mismatch | Some instruments don't support all timeframes | | Period too long | Free plan: max 1 year. Check your plan's limits | | Server error | Try again in a few minutes |
"Running" but No Progress
Cause: The progress WebSocket may have disconnected.
Solutions:
- Refresh the page — the backtest continues on the server
- Check the progress bar — it updates via WebSocket
- Wait for completion — you'll receive a notification
No Trades Found
If the backtest completes but shows 0 trades:
- Check entry conditions — they may be too restrictive
- Check the time period — may not have enough data
- Check the indicator parameters — extreme values can prevent signals
- Try a longer period or simpler conditions
Data Coverage
Before running a backtest, verify data availability:
- Go to Backtest → New
- Select your instrument
- The system shows available data range
- Adjust your test period to fit within available data
Tip: Use the
/data-coveragepage to check all available instruments and their date ranges.
Free Plan Limits
| Limit | Value | |-------|-------| | Backtests per day | 5 | | Max timeframe | 1 minute | | Max period | 1 year | | Optimization | Not available | | AI Analysis | Not available |
Upgrade to Pro or higher to remove limits.
FAQ
Q: My backtest was running but now says "running" forever? A: This can happen if the server was restarted. Contact support — they can reset the status.
Q: Can I run multiple backtests simultaneously? A: Backtests are queued and processed one at a time per user.
Q: The results seem wrong — what do I check? A: Verify your commission settings, leverage, and position sizing mode. Small changes in these settings can dramatically affect results.