Bottom Line: If you woke up this Saturday morning (Feb 21, 2026) to find your “Where’s My Refund” (WMR) tool broken, crashing, or showing zero bars, do not panic.
Historically, this specific glitch is the strongest signal that your refund has just been approved.
Thousands of weekly filers (Cycle Code 05) are reporting the dreaded “We cannot provide information about your refund” message or the “Tax Topic 152” link reappearing without the orange tracker bar. In 90% of cases during the peak February rush, this is simply the IRS system overloading as it uploads millions of Code 846 (Refund Issued) updates.
Why The Bars Disappear
The WMR tool is old. When the master database updates overnight on Fridays for weekly accounts, the front-end tool often “breaks” while trying to sync with the new data.
If your bars vanish, it usually means your status has moved from “Processing” to “Approved,” and the graphic just hasn’t loaded yet.
The “Saturday Morning” Ritual
Here is the timeline causing the crash:
- Friday Morning: Account Transcripts update (the real data).
- Saturday Morning (Now): WMR tries to catch up.
- The Result: Massive traffic + Data Sync = Crash.
WMR vs. Transcript: Who is Lying?
Stop looking at WMR. It is lagging behind reality.
| WMR Message | Likely Transcript Reality |
| “Bars Disappeared” | Refund Approved (Code 846) |
| “System Unavailable” | Server Overload (Too many users) |
| “Still Processing” | On Hold (Code 570) |
| “Access Denied” | Login Limit (You checked >3 times) |
What You Should Do Right Now
If you can’t get into WMR, go to your IRS Online Account.
- Log in (if ID.me is working).
- Click “Tax Records.”
- Open your 2025 Account Transcript.
Look at the bottom. If you see Code 846 with a date of 02-25-2026 or 02-26-2026, your money is already scheduled. The WMR tool is irrelevant.
The “Limit Reached” Warning
“We are sorry, but you have exceeded the number of daily attempts.”
This happens if you check WMR more than 3 times in 24 hours. It is an automatic lockout. It does not mean you are being audited. It resets at midnight local time.
Summary: If your status changed or vanished today, it means your file is being touched. That is better than being stuck on “Received” for three weeks.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Always consult official government resources.
Evan Cole Editor-in-Chief | Breaking News & Public Policy
“From Washington to Wall Street, and Main Street to Hollywood—Evan Cole connects the dots.”
As the Editor-in-Chief at Newskilo, Evan leads a dynamic team of journalists dedicated to uncovering the truth behind the headlines. With over 15 years in digital media, Evan has a reputation for cutting through the noise.
While he is widely recognized for his deep analysis of U.S. fiscal policy (IRS & Stimulus), Evan’s expertise extends to global current events, corporate accountability, and cultural trends. Whether he is breaking down a complex government bill, exposing a tech giant’s failure, or analyzing the societal impact of a viral celebrity moment, Evan’s goal is simple: To tell the stories that shape our world with clarity, accuracy, and integrity.