Guide

How to install an Expert Advisor on MetaTrader 5

Installing an EA on MT5 takes about two minutes: put the .ex5 file in the Experts folder, refresh MetaTrader, and attach the robot to a chart. This guide covers every step, the settings that stop an EA from trading, and what to check if it doesn't show up.

5 min read · Updated

Before you start

  • MetaTrader 5 installed and logged in to the trading account the EA is for.
  • The EA file — an .ex5 for MT5. (.ex4 files are for MT4 and will not load in MT5.)
  • For a GoldBot build: log in to the exact MT5 account number you registered, because the build is locked to it.

Install the EA in five steps

  1. Open the data folderIn MetaTrader 5 click File → Open Data Folder. A file window opens on your terminal's data directory.
  2. Copy the .ex5 into MQL5 / ExpertsOpen MQL5, then Experts, and paste the .ex5 there — directly in Experts, not in a sub-folder.
  3. Refresh the NavigatorIn the Navigator panel (Ctrl+N if hidden) right-click Expert Advisors and choose Refresh. The EA will not appear until you do.
  4. Attach it to the right chartOpen the symbol the EA is built for — XAUUSD for GoldBot — and drag the EA from the Navigator onto the chart.
  5. Allow algorithmic tradingIn the EA's Common tab tick Allow Algo Trading, click OK, and make sure the Algo Trading button in the toolbar is switched on.

EA not showing up or not trading?

  • Not in the Navigator: check the file sits directly in MQL5/Experts, then refresh or restart MetaTrader.
  • Loaded but not trading: the Algo Trading toolbar button is off, or Allow Algo Trading is unticked in the EA's settings.
  • Removed straight after attaching: open the Experts tab in the Toolbox (Ctrl+T) — the EA logs why it stopped.
  • GoldBot build won't run: you are logged in to a different MT5 account from the one the build is locked to, or the broker's server time is not GMT+3.

Keep it running: VPS vs your own computer

An EA only works while MetaTrader is open and connected. A VPS keeps the terminal running 24/5 with a stable connection, which is the recommended setup. If you run GoldBot on your own computer, start it by 07:00 CET each trading day and leave it running uninterrupted until it has traded.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I put the .ex5 file in MT5?

File → Open Data Folder, then MQL5 → Experts. Paste the .ex5 directly into the Experts folder and refresh the Navigator.

Why is my EA not trading?

Most often Algo Trading is switched off — either the toolbar button or the Allow Algo Trading box in the EA's Common tab. The Experts tab in the Toolbox shows the EA's own messages.

Can I install an MT4 EA on MT5?

No. MT4 EAs are .ex4 files and only run on MetaTrader 4; MT5 needs an .ex5 compiled for MT5.

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