The exact error message is as follows:
(340036) Market and Limit buy and sell orders of stocks and ETFs in dollars are only allowed during normal market hours (9:30am ET thru 4:00pm ET).
Why Fidelity Shows Error 340036
Error 340036 is about how you entered the order, not about your account. Fidelity treats a dollar-based order as a fractional-share trade. According to Fidelity’s fractional shares page, dollar-based orders can be placed during market hours (approximately 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET), and fractional orders are only eligible for execution during normal market hours.
So you typically see this error when you:
- Enter a dollar amount before 9:30 a.m. ET or after 4:00 p.m. ET, or on a weekend or market holiday.
- Try to buy or sell an OTC security in dollars. Fidelity says dollar-based and fractional trading is available for NMS exchange-listed stocks and ETFs (NYSE or Nasdaq), and that you’ll get an error message if a security isn’t eligible.
How to Fix It
Option 1: Wait for regular market hours
If you’re happy to trade in dollars, place the order between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET on a trading day. This only works for stocks and ETFs listed on the NYSE or Nasdaq.
Option 2: Switch to shares and use a limit order
- Open the trade ticket for the stock.
- Change the quantity type from Dollars to Shares and enter a whole number of shares. Divide your dollar amount by the current price to pick a number.
- Set the order type to Limit and enter your limit price. Fidelity’s extended-hours rules say it only accepts limit orders in the extended-hours sessions.
- Preview the order, check the fees line, then submit.
Fidelity’s extended-hours sessions run from 7:00 a.m. to 9:28 a.m. ET (premarket) and 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET (after-hours). Unfilled extended-hours orders are canceled at the end of the session. Not every security trades in these sessions, so if the ticket won’t accept your order, wait for regular hours. See our guide to Fidelity extended hours trading.
Getting 340036 on an OTC Stock?
Because Fidelity limits dollar-based trading to NMS exchange-listed stocks and ETFs, an OTC stock won’t accept a dollar order at any hour. The fix is the same as Option 2: enter whole shares and use a limit order. Then check a few more things:
- Extended hours: Fidelity’s extended-hours page lists listed equities and OTC equities as eligible, excluding pink sheets and bulletin board stocks. Eligibility varies by security, so if your OTC order is rejected outside regular hours, place it after 9:30 a.m. ET.
- Restricted OTC tiers: Fidelity says it blocks buy orders and opening transactions in Expert Market, Grey Market and Caveat Emptor securities. That is a different block from 340036, and waiting for the market to open won’t clear it.
- Foreign “F” tickers: Five-letter OTC tickers ending in F are commonly foreign ordinary shares. Fidelity’s fee schedule says a $50 fee is charged on each transaction in any foreign ordinary stock that is not DTC eligible. Always read the fees line on the order preview before you submit.
Seeing a Different Error Code?
- TC9052, “not permitted to opening transactions”: see Fidelity TC9052.
- 354016, uncovered option position: see Fidelity error 354016.
- Can’t buy a penny stock at all: see Can’t trade penny stocks on Fidelity.
- $50 fee on a foreign stock: see Fidelity’s foreign settlement fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Fidelity error 340036 mean?
It means you placed a dollar-based order outside regular market hours (about 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET). Dollar-based and fractional orders are only allowed during normal market hours.
Can I trade in the premarket or after-hours on Fidelity?
Yes, but not in dollars. Enter whole shares and use a limit order. Premarket runs 7:00 a.m. to 9:28 a.m. ET and after-hours runs 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, and not every security is eligible.
Can I buy OTC stocks in dollars on Fidelity?
No. Fidelity offers dollar-based and fractional trading on NMS exchange-listed stocks and ETFs, so an OTC stock needs a whole-share order.
Is my Fidelity account restricted if I see this error?
No. Error 340036 is about the order type and timing, not your account. If you are blocked from a security itself, you would typically see a different message.
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