Common setup (inputs, permissions, and first-run checks)

This guide helps you get a newly downloaded EA/Indicator working reliably on MT4/MT5. Most “it doesn’t work”issues are caused by a small checklist item being missed: AutoTrading disabled, wrong symbol, missing DLLpermission, missing data, wrong timeframe, or broker restrictions.

1) Before you attach the EA/Indicator

• Confirm platform: Make sure you are using the correct platform (MT4 vs MT5). MT4 files go in MQL4/, MT5 files go in MQL5/.
• Confirm market state: If the market is closed, many strategies won’t trade. Try during active market hours.
• Confirm symbol: Some brokers use suffixes like EURUSDm, EURUSD.r. If the EA expects EURUSD, configure the symbol input (if available) or choose the correct broker symbol.
• Confirm required history data: Many indicators/strategies require enough candles. Scroll the chart left to load more history or press Home key multiple times.

2) Attach to chart and check the top-right status

1. Open a chart for the intended symbol and timeframe.
2. Drag the EA (or Indicator) from Navigator onto the chart.
3. In MT4/MT5, check the top-right corner:
   • If you see a smiley face (EA) it usually means it is allowed to run.
   • If you see a sad face or an X, the EA is blocked by settings.

3) Enable required permissions (most common blocker)

• AutoTrading / Algo Trading: Turn ON the main button (MT4: AutoTrading, MT5: Algo Trading).
• EA settings: Right-click chart → Expert Advisors → Properties:
  • Allow automated trading
  • Allow DLL imports (only if the product requires it and you trust the file)
  • Allow WebRequest (only if the product uses external APIs; add allowed URLs if needed)
• Terminal global settings: Tools → Options → Expert Advisors:
  • Enable automated trading
  • Disable “Disable automated trading when the account has been changed / profile has been changed / chart symbol or period has been changed” if it prevents trading in your workflow

4) Inputs checklist (what to verify)

Open Inputs/Parameters and review carefully. Many products expose safety controls that can stop trading by design.

• Risk / lot size: If lot is 0 or too small, orders may be rejected. If risk is too high, broker may reject due to margin.
• Magic number: Keep unique magic numbers if you run multiple EAs on the same account.
• Trade direction: Buy-only / Sell-only / Both. Make sure it matches your expectation.
• Spread filter: If max spread is low, the EA may never trade. Increase allowed spread for testing.
• Time filter: If trading hours are restricted, verify the server time and your configured session times.
• News filter: If enabled, it may block trading around major events.
• Symbol suffix/prefix: If provided, set it to match your broker (example: suffix m).

5) Where to debug: Experts + Journal tabs

Always check these tabs after attaching the EA:

• Experts tab: EA logs (initialization, trading blocked reasons, parameter validation errors).
• Journal tab: Terminal/broker messages (trade context busy, invalid price, no money, off quotes, market closed).

6) Typical broker/terminal errors and what they mean

• Trade is disabled: Account is investor/readonly or broker disabled trading on that symbol.
• Not enough money / Margin: Reduce lot size or use a smaller risk setting.
• Invalid stops / invalid price: SL/TP too close for broker’s stop level; adjust inputs or symbol digits.
• Off quotes / requote: Market volatility or connection issue; retry or use different execution settings if available.
• Market closed: Wait for market open or switch to an active symbol.

7) First-run validation (recommended quick test)

1. Attach the EA to a demo account first.
2. Set conservative risk and disable strict filters temporarily (spread/time/news) to confirm it can place trades.
3. Confirm at least one successful order or at least “signal detected” logs in Experts.
4. Re-enable filters one by one to identify what blocks trading.

8) Next steps

If you are blocked at the license step (activation failed, slots reached, VPS migration), open the licensing guide and the troubleshooting guide.If you still need help, send support: product name, license id, accountNumber, broker name, and a screenshot of the Experts + Journal logs.