How to Reset Paper Trading TradingView
Paper Trading is TradingView's virtual account feature that lets you trade stocks, forex, and crypto with fake money. No real capital at risk, no broker connection needed. I use mine for testing ideas I'd never try with live funds — like a 3x leveraged ETH position or a mean-reversion setup that looked promising but needed real chart time.
After running a week-long scalping test on AAPL and TSLA, I had 40+ trade entries cluttering my history. Resetting wiped everything clean in seconds.
Here's the fast version:
- Connect to Paper Trading via the Trading Panel on your chart.
- Open account settings (gear icon or dropdown menu).
- Click "Reset account."
- Pick your new balance, currency, and leverage. Confirm.
That's it. All positions, orders, and history disappear, and you're back to a fresh demo account.
One thing to know: this action is permanent. No undo. So double-check before you click.
Why you'd want a clean slate
Old trades — winners and losers alike — create noise. When I'm testing a breakout strategy on NVDA, I don't want last week's failed reversal entries muddying the results. A reset gives you a neutral starting point: clean history, fresh balance, no emotional residue from that one trade that went sideways.
You also get to pick your starting conditions. Balance, currency, and leverage are all configurable during the reset. If you're switching from SPY options to EUR/USD forex, you can match the account to the market. For strategy ideas worth testing, check out the best TradingView strategies for 2025.
Step-by-step: resetting your paper trading account
1. Open the Trading Panel and connect Paper Trading
On any chart, the Trading Panel sits at the bottom. Click it. If you see "Connect" next to Paper Trading, click that first. Why this matters: the reset option only shows up when Paper Trading is active. I've spent a good minute hunting for it while connected to a live broker — it won't appear there.
2. Find the reset option
Look for a gear icon or your account name in the Trading Panel. Open account settings. You'll see "Reset Account" or "Reset Paper Trading Account." What can go wrong: if you don't see it, you're probably still on a real broker connection. Double-check you're on Paper Trading mode.
3. Set new starting conditions
A dialog box opens. Enter your starting balance, choose a currency (USD, EUR, even BTC), and adjust leverage if you want. I usually set mine to $10,000 with 1x leverage to keep things simple. Why this matters: matching your paper account to your planned live account makes test results realistic. A $100,000 account behaves very differently from a $2,000 one in terms of position sizing.
4. Confirm the reset
You'll see a warning: all open orders, positions, and trade history will be permanently deleted. If you're sure, confirm. What can go wrong: there's no second chance. I've never found a recovery option anywhere. Take screenshots of your P&L or stats before resetting if you want to keep records.
What actually changes when you reset
Three things happen:
- Your balance resets to whatever you enter. No carryover from previous trades.
- Your currency switches if you chose a different one. This is the only way to change currency on an existing Paper Trading account — I haven't found a separate setting for it.
- Your leverage updates to the new value. Useful if you're simulating margin-based strategies.
Your watchlists, chart layouts, and indicators stay. Only the Paper Trading account data gets wiped.
Customization options during reset
| Setting | What it does | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Balance | Sets your starting virtual capital | Match to your real account for realistic position sizing |
| Currency | USD, EUR, GBP, BTC, ETH, and more | Switch when testing forex or crypto strategies |
| Leverage | 1x to 100x depending on instrument | Simulates margin trading — I keep it at 1x for stocks, 3x for crypto |
I prefer setting a realistic balance rather than maxing it out. A $1 million paper account feels fun but teaches you nothing about risk management if you plan to trade with $5,000.
Common issues and fixes
Can't find the reset button. You're likely on a live broker connection, not Paper Trading. Switch accounts. The reset option only appears in Paper Trading mode.
Need to change currency. Use the reset function. There's no standalone currency swap for existing accounts — reset is the path.
Option still missing. Open Paper Trading settings through the gear icon directly inside the Trading Panel. If it's still not there, try refreshing the page or logging out and back in. I haven't tested this on mobile, so the desktop web app is your safest bet.
Better testing habits
Start each test clean. Before running a new strategy, reset the account. This isolates your results so you know exactly which trades belong to the current test. I run a reset every time I switch from testing a trend-following system to a mean-reversion one.
Match your account to reality. Testing a $50,000 options strategy on a $500 account gives you false confidence. Set your paper balance to match what you'll actually trade with. I keep mine at $10,000 because that's close to my live account.
Practice exits, not just entries. For months I focused entirely on finding good entries. My exits were sloppy. Resetting gave me a chance to start over and deliberately practice setting stop-losses and take-profits with every trade. That discipline carried over when I switched to live funds. For more on backtesting your strategies, the Backtest Pine Script guide covers setup and optimization techniques.
When to reset
- You changed your strategy. Old results from a trend-following system don't apply to a new mean-reversion approach.
- You're running a controlled test. Compare two strategies with identical starting conditions. Resetting between tests is the only fair way.
- You switched instruments. Moving from stocks to forex or crypto? Reset to match the new market's currency and leverage.
Other places to find the reset option
If the gear icon path doesn't work:
- Check the Paper Trading panel on the left side of your screen. Click the three-dot menu — "Reset Paper Trading Account" may be there.
- Look inside account settings near your balance and currency display.
Before you reset
- This is permanent. All orders, positions, and history will be erased.
- Verify your settings. Balance, currency, and leverage should match your testing goals.
- Save what matters. Take screenshots of your stats if you want a record.
For a broader overview of the platform's features, the Best TradingView Tutorial: Master the Platform in 2025 covers navigation, charting, and tool setup.
FAQs
Q: Where do I find the reset button in TradingView Paper Trading? A: Click the gear icon in your Trading Panel. You'll find it under account settings. Same spot if you open the dropdown menu next to your account name.
Q: Does resetting erase everything? A: Yes. Open orders, open positions, and your full trade history all get permanently deleted. Watchlists and chart layouts stay.
Q: Can I set a custom starting balance? A: The reset dialog asks you to enter a new balance before you confirm. You pick the number.
Q: How do I change my Paper Trading currency without creating a new account? A: Use the reset feature on your existing account. It lets you select a new currency as part of the process.
Q: Why can't I see the reset option? A: First check that Paper Trading is your active account. The reset option hides when you're connected to a live broker.
Q: Can I undo a reset? A: No. The action is permanent. Make sure your settings are right before clicking confirm.
Q: Are there multiple ways to access the reset feature? A: Two paths — the Paper Trading panel menu or the gear icon in account settings. Both lead to the same option.