Broker disables chart zoom during news is a deceptive tactic where brokers disable the zooming function on trading charts, particularly during high-impact news events. This manipulation makes it difficult for traders to analyse price action, monitor key levels, or make timely adjustments during volatile market periods, leaving traders at a disadvantage when they need the most control over their trades.

Trusted brokers provide full chart functionality, including zooming, even during critical market events, ensuring traders can manage their positions effectively.

How brokers misuse chart zoom restrictions during news events

There are several ways brokers exploit the disabling of chart zoom during high-impact news events.

Preventing accurate market analysis

By disabling zoom, traders are unable to view fine-grained price movements or accurately analyse short-term trends and key support/resistance levels, making it difficult to trade news events effectively.

Hiding price manipulation

When brokers disable zoom, they may also prevent traders from seeing critical price movements or potential slippage, which can obscure price manipulation or irregularities.

Excusing technical limitations

Brokers often claim that disabling chart zoom is a result of “server overload” or “platform maintenance” during news events, even though such limitations should not affect chart functionality.

Creating trade execution advantages

Brokers can take advantage of the zoom restriction by executing trades at less favourable prices, as traders cannot monitor price action in the same detail during key moments.

Impact on traders

Disabling chart zoom during news events can cause significant losses and disrupt trading strategies.

Inability to analyse price action accurately

Without zooming capability, traders are unable to analyse smaller timeframes, making it difficult to react to sharp price movements or entry/exit points during volatile news periods.

Missed trading opportunities

Traders may miss out on profitable trades or be unable to manage their open positions effectively when the chart zoom function is disabled.

Increased risk of slippage

Zooming restrictions make it harder to assess order execution speed and potential slippage, increasing the risk of trades being filled at worse prices.

Loss of trust

Disabling core chart functionalities, especially during critical trading times, is a clear sign of broker manipulation and untrustworthy practices.

How to protect yourself

There are important steps traders can take to defend against brokers that disable chart zoom during news events.

Choose brokers with full chart functionality

Work only with brokers regulated by authorities like the FCA, ASIC, or CySEC. Trusted brokers such as Intertrader, AvaTrade, TiBiGlobe, Vantage, and Markets.com provide full charting capabilities, including zooming, during all market conditions.

Test platform features before important events

Check your broker’s platform functionality before high-impact news events to ensure that all charting features, including zoom, are working properly.

Use external charting tools

Consider using independent charting platforms like TradingView or MetaTrader 5 for enhanced charting tools and features that are not restricted by your broker’s platform.

Request technical support if features are disabled

If chart zoom or other features are disabled during news events, contact the broker’s support team for clarification and resolution. Document the issue for potential escalation.

Escalate to regulators

If you experience consistent issues with chart zoom restrictions during critical news events, escalate the issue to the broker’s regulatory authority with clear evidence.

Reliable brokers for uninterrupted charting

Top-tier brokers ensure that their platforms offer full functionality during all market conditions, including the ability to zoom in on charts, ensuring traders can make informed decisions.

By choosing brokers committed to transparency and full charting capabilities, traders can protect themselves from the risks when brokers disable chart zoom during news events.

If you want to learn how to navigate high-impact news events and master your charting skills, explore our expert-led Trading Courses today.