Problem logging on to NatWest online banking

Geoff_W

Over the last week or so, I've had terrible problems logging in to my NatWest Online bank account. I can get to the NatWest home page but when I click on 'Log in', the activity circle whirrs for several seconds and then times out. I am using Win 7 64Bit and IE9. In the past when this has occasionally happened I've been able to access the account using Firefox but now even this won't work. I've tried running IE without addons but it made no difference. Yesterday, my wife got on the account using her laptop (Win 7 64Bit and IE9), but today that doesn't work either.

The strange thing is that I have no difficulty with any other secure account (Santander, Virgin Money, Nationwide etc.) - it's only NatWest.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

harleq1962

i can log into my account via firefox, win 7, 64 bit,
i did have problems several months ago logging to anything with firefox after an update, i just reinstalled firefox and it worked fine after that,

harleq1962

just tried explorer too, that worked, could it be a problem with your router or internet speed, could just be timing out,
the natwest log in isnt the best, ive entered my details several times in the past and they have said it is wrong.
it might be worth a try to resest your router by just switching it off at the wall and letting it start off if things are running slow.

Geoff_W

The router gets switched off on a very regular basis. Laptop is hardwired to the router and I am getting 20Mb broadband (Virgin Media) so am not convinced it's a speed issue.

Twenty minutes ago, I got on via NatWest.com with no problems. I carried out my transactions and logged off. I've just tried to log back in and again it refuses to show the log-in screen. So frustrating.

Deru

Try deleting all your Temporary Files and Cookies.

Geoff_W

Thanks Deru, that seems to have fixed it for now. I've never quite understood why deleting those things should make such a difference.

Deru

Websites save Cookies and temp files. Having outdated ones that won't be overwritten can cause sites to not load properly. They have these to customise pages (remember your settings/preferences) and to load up more quickly when you revisit. Glad it helped.

I use their site most days but don't usually have problems so figured it was something on your PC. Sometimes a hard refresh helps. Ctrl F5 on keyboard.

victor2

IE9 has a bit of a reputation for aggressive caching, that even a Ctrl F5 forced refresh doesn't overcome. I find that hitting F12 then selecting Cache, Always refresh from server does the trick. That setting only applies to the current session though.
Or I just use Chrome...

Geoff_W

victor2 wrote: »

Cache, Always refresh from server

That option is greyed out on my F12.

victor2

Although this refers to IE8, the workaround in the first solution detailed below applies to my IE10 under Windows 7, so I assume it will be on IE9 as well...
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/5065595/unable-to-set-always-refresh-from-server-in-ie8-developer-tools

Geoff_W

Well, that didn't last long...

Tried to access NatWest today and couldn't get on using either IE9 or Firefox. Cleared all the cookies, caches etc. but made no difference. Downloaded Chrome and I was able to log-in successfully and carry out my transactions. Tried again later and now I can't log-in using any of the above browsers! I'm fast running out of useable browsers.

I've run Malwarebytes and my Antivirus scans and nothing untoward is reported.

Any suggestions would be very welcome.