Not able to connect to Vanguard on any of my accounts. I see a pinned post referomg to Quicken for Mac, but this seems to be occuring on PC as well. On latest version of Quicken (R61.20). Issue started today (2/20/25).
Hello All,
This is now considered a known issue, though we do not have an ETA on resolution at this time. While the investigation remains ongoing, please refer to this Community Alert for any and all available updates and information.
We apologize for any inconvenience in the meantime! Thank you.
Vanguard has blocked all direct connect connections while they fix an issue with it. This affects all financial softwares that use Direct Connect to download transactions. See this Alert: UPDATE 2/25/25 Vanguard OL-295-A and Error 16503.
In addition, you might want to read through and bookmark this discussion thread on regarding this issue: Re: Quicken Classic for Win - OL-295-A Errors at Vanguard.
There is a way you can download transactions: Use the Web Connect method. WC is where you log into your online account and then manually download and import your transactions from there. There are a few posts in that thread confirming that this works and some of them provide some tips on how to successfully use WC with Vanguard.
Does this answer your question?
I think others have said you need deactivate your Vanguard account(s) and then do Add Account selecting direct connect as the connection option. To do this, type in Vanguard in Add Account. Then click on Advanced Options…NOT on Next.
Then click on Direct Connect and then on Next. Follow the prompts to complete the setup of DC, making sure to Link the downloaded data to the correct Vanguard account(s) already in Quicken.
[revised 3/27]
Here is a summary of the steps needed to reconnect your Vanguard accounts.. Some of these steps may not be necessary in every case, but I want to cover as many bases as possible.
If you have attempted to update while the accounts were in Simple mode, you may see Added or Removed transactions during that time. You will need to delete these. If there are problems, restore the backup file you saved and you will be back to where you started.
Please let us know if this works for you.
Thanks for sharing!
Hello Vanguard Clients,
I am a significant client of Vanguards and have contacted them a couple of times in the last two days about this issue. My representative has passed my complaint on to his manager. HE SAID THE ONLY WAY THIS WILL BECOME A PRIORTY with IT is if they get multiple client complaints. I suggest that you contact Vanguard and voice your frustration.
So frustrating that this error is out there and there does not seem to be any real priority in fixing it. Or notifying users that this is an issue. I deactivated the accounts, closed Quicken, restarted etc., when I now realize there was no way any of that would have worked. Hopefully someone at Vanguard figures it out and soon. The Web Connect method is fine but I have Quicken because I wanted automatic downloads, not manual ones.
Quicken pushed Windows Classic R61.20 Build 27.1.61.20 when I opened the app today.
I am experiencing the same issue reported here: updates are being rejected by Vanguard.
I will also report that trying to run a Vanguard update a second time crashes Quicken. That is surprising and unsettling to me.
I also called Vanguard, was told they are aware of the issue with no timeline for a fix. Agent suggested QFX downloads . I asked, as an account holder, that they generate a message to tech support requesting that this be made a priority.
For what it is worth, I called vanguard…could not get pass the Customer Service agent…IT does not take customer calls. I made it clear…you broke it, fix it. Further in my opinion that fact that it has been a week…tells me I am not important enough to priortize this issue….and I expect it fixed ASAP…sure…that will get them on it!!!!! I was professional but firm…get it Fixed. I will not do the Eb Download….to concerned it may conrupt my current data…..
I've been getting an OL-295-B with Vanguard. Quicken Classic for Windows. But my accounts still seem to download. Is this related to the OL-295-A error, @Quicken Anja? I started having Vanguard issues about 1/11 with an OL-304-B every time I connected. I've been living with the error and just realized tonight that several days ago it was now an OL-295-B.
I've been very patient waiting for a fix, but this is getting frustrating. Using Quicken desktop and trying to download from Vanguard - no data download for about a week now. I assume the Quicken tech people are trying to help the Vanguard people sort it out, but it would be really a great relief to all of us if it did get sorted out. Thanks.
(sorry if thee things have been said already)
Let's think about this problem in a different context. Vanguard is a behemoth company that manages over $10 trillion in assets. We Quicken users are but a minuscule fraction of that. IT departments have to prioritize their problems based on urgency and Quicken is probably not high on the list of things to fix immediately.
So I suggest that we exercise patience, because in IMHO, we will be lucky if Vanguard decides to allow Quicken to restore access to its servers at all. With data breaches being a huge concern these days, many companies are tightening down on 3rd party software access to their customers' data, and are constantly developing more secure ways to keep hackers out. Downloading a QFX file is a minor inconvenience if I eventually can get Direct Connect back.
One solution that Quicken has alluded to, but would probably not say outright is for Quicken users to call Vanguard and complain about the problem. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
That's just my $0.02.
Having the same issue
I just installed hot fix 61.21 and Vanguard disappeared from the OSU list. Went to an invidividual vanguard account to manually update transactions and that also does not work!
Call to Vanguard re: Quicken download error ol-295-a.
Rep said they were aware of the issue. Explained Quicken uses a third party to connect to Vanguard and that is where the issue is, not with Vanguard..
I turned down the offer of a workaround as those have been troublesome in the past, so that was unacceptable.
Guess I may have to put them on speed dial for a while.
I'm having the errror as well. I just voiced my anger in a chat session with Vanguard online. This was their response:
I understand you have questions regarding errors on direct downloads to third-party software such as Quicken. We are currently aware of this issue and are working towards restoring this service. While we work to restore this service, you can follow these steps to manually download your transaction history information.
We currently do not have an expected time frame on when this issue will be fixed, but our technology team is prioritizing this fix.
This sounds like it has been escalated somewhat. We just need to keep pressing them on it!
Unable to connect/download latest Vanguard information for last several days…now I finally know why. Running Windows 11 on desktop PC with Quicken Classic Deluxe Version R61.21. So much wasted time🙄.
I've been using the method of manually downloading my account information directly from the Vanguard site. I click on Activity then click on Download center and choose to download to Quicken. I specify a month worth of data because it is easier that way. When I download I have things setup where Quicken will automatically open with the downloaded QFX file. There are no duplicates in my any of my Vanguard Quicken accounts.
UserSince2003 makes a good point. Quicken is not the market driver it once was. One has to wonder if/when it will become marginal to the point where it just isn't worth it to banks/brokerages to support it, and they elect to fire their unprofitable customers. If pleasing Quicken users were a big, big deal, Vanguard would have TESTED the new method before releasing it to production.
It's likely that most people don't bother doing any budgeting and/or tracking of their finances. The number of smart people I know who don't even do anything at all is astounding. Which would only reinforce your point that Quicken doesn't have the pull it once did. I would also bet that many financial institutions don't want to pay the (supposedly) high fees that Quicken charges them. FWIW, I just sent a message to Vanguard customer support expressing my disappointment and hope that they will work to fix this soon, and that they will acknowledge the issue.
Vanguard: When will the 'Quicken Classic for Win OL-295-A error' problem be fixed?
I hope it is indeed true that Vanguard is working on a resolution to this problem. I was initially told the same thing about Quicken Loans (Rocket Mortgage) but it turned out that QL/Rocket has decided to no longer partner with Quicken Financial software. If the same happens with Vanguard I'm out! Currently paying for a service that is pretty much useless to me.
Same problem with Quicken classic for Windows
Vanguard server issue. I talked to Vanguard tech support today - 2/28/2025. I was told that a third party that handled the direct connect workings was no longer supported by Vanguard. I was finally able to download my account activity using the Vanguard download options ( importing Quicken files ).
So this isn't like a software issue….did they say they going to hire a different 3rd party company? Or, is this the end for Quicken customers to connect with DirectConnect with Vanguard?
I for one do not want to, or trust the manualy OFX downward process….
Just spoke to my account rep at Vanguard, who guessed as soon as I said "Digital Banking" that it was about the Quicken issue. He tried to put me through to them, but the queue was 28 minutes, so he suggested I use a portal message, which goes directly to him, and he would forward to someone with authority to do more than ritual apologies and pointers to the OFX method.
I sent a very real threat to walk to Schwab if they won't fix it.
So Vanguard is feeling the heat. Suggest keeping it coming.
I did the same, my passed it to his manager. He said they are getting numerous threats from clients to walk.
I used the chat and this was the reply. A request for a more specific time frame was ignored.
Morningstar is also unable to connect to Vanguard to update portfolio information, so the problem is wider than Quicken.
I tried the OFX download process. I have one account with six different funds. When I execute the OFX file, it asks which account it is associated with, and then Quicken lists several accounts, just not Vanguard. I tried associating it with one of my Vanguard accounts, but nothing really changed. Instead, it said the last time I updated was in March 2024! How does the OFX process work with several Vanguard accounts each account having multiple funds? The whole process as a workaround seems klugey.
This is the response I got from Vanguard. I can't wait several weeks so I started to move several of my accts that I need daily updates on to Schwab.
Hello Mr. xxxxxxxxx, Thank you for the email. My manager shared your email, along with other Vanguard client emails that our experiencing the
same issue, with Vanguard's Sr. Leadership team, who is continuing efforts with our project team to correct the issue.
This afternoon we received the following communication form the project team:“While Direct Connect service has been temporarily disabled,
we understand the value it provides to our clients, how important it is for our clients, and are working to restore the service.
While an exact ETA is not currently available, please know that we are working diligently to restore the function.
Direct Connect is expected to be restored in the next several weeks.”Sincerely,
Luis EstradaRelationship Manager
Yup. Fidelity doesn't seem to have any problem either and they have essentially all the same funds.
I am no longer able to download transaction from Vanguard into my Quicken account using Direct Connect. I have Release R61.21 on my PC. Problem started last week. I get an OL-295-A error message. Any suggestions?
[Merged Post]
@Rob Mc - This is a well known issue. See the Alert that has been posted about it which includes the suggestion to use the Web Connect connection method for downloading transactions and the specific steps for how to do that: ONGOING 2/28/25 Vanguard OL-295-A and Error 16503.
You might want to also read through the main thread on this issue. The latest feedback from Vanguard from one of the users in that thread that was posted today is that it could be weeks before the Direct Connect connection method that they broke will be working, again. So, short of moving your Vanguard accounts to a different investment company or manually entering all of your transactions, Web Connect appears to be the only option available.:
