Key points
- An EA needs two permissions: the Algo Trading button in the toolbar, and Allow Algo Trading in the EA's own settings.
- An EA works only on the chart it is attached to, and only while MT5 is running.
- Run only one trade manager per symbol and per account, or two programs may act on the same trade.
- Always test on a demo account first.
Before you start
- MetaTrader 5 desktop on Windows (EAs do not run in the MT5 phone app or the web terminal).
- A demo account at your broker for testing.
- The EA file. A finished EA is an .ex5 file. Only install EAs from sources you trust, and never give anyone your trading password.
Step 1: copy the EA into MT5
- In MT5, click File → Open Data Folder.
- Open the folder MQL5, then Experts.
- Copy the .ex5 file into this folder.
- Back in MT5, open the Navigator window (Ctrl+N), right-click Expert Advisors and choose Refresh. The EA now appears in the list.
Step 2: attach it to the right chart
- Open a chart of the symbol the EA is made for. For a gold trade manager that is XAUUSD (or your broker's name for it, such as XAUUSDm).
- Drag the EA from the Navigator onto the chart, or double-click it.
- In the window that opens, go to the Common tab and tick Allow Algo Trading (called "Allow Auto Trading" in older MT5 versions).
- Check the Inputs tab for the EA's settings, then click OK.
The EA's name and a small icon appear in the top-right corner of the chart. To change the settings later, press F7 on the chart.
Step 3: turn on Algo Trading
Click the Algo Trading button in the toolbar (called "AutoTrading" in older versions) so that it shows as switched on. This is the master switch for all EAs in this MT5. If it is off, no EA can trade, even if it is allowed in its own settings.
You can also check Tools → Options → Expert Advisors. Some EAs need web access, for example for news or licence checks; their address must then be added under Allow WebRequest for listed URL.
Step 4: send alerts to your phone (recommended)
- Install the MetaTrader 5 app on your phone and find your MetaQuotes ID in the app's Messages section.
- On the PC, open Tools → Options → Notifications, tick Enable Push Notifications and enter the MetaQuotes ID.
- Click Test to check that a message arrives on your phone.
Step 5: check everything on a demo account
- Open a small trade and check that the stop loss and targets appear as you set them.
- Try every button you plan to use: break-even, partial close, moving the stop.
- See how your broker's minimum lot, lot step and stop distance affect small trades.
- Close MT5 or let the PC sleep once with a trade open, and look at what happens. This shows you why a VPS matters (see EAs and a computer that is off).
- Practise managing a trade by hand, so you know what to do if anything stops.
When the EA does not work: checklist
| What you see | Usual cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| EA icon on the chart looks disabled | Algo Trading is off, or not allowed for this EA | Turn on the toolbar button and tick Allow Algo Trading (F7, Common tab) |
| "Algo trading is disabled" in the log | The same | As above |
| EA is not in the Navigator | File in the wrong folder, or list not refreshed | Check MQL5 → Experts, then Refresh |
| EA says the symbol is not supported | Attached to the wrong chart | Attach it to the symbol it is made for |
| Orders refused | Lot too small, stop too close, market closed | Read the message in the Experts tab; check the symbol specification |
| Two programs move the same stop | Another EA or tool on the same account | Run only one trade manager per symbol |
| Nothing happened during the night | PC asleep or MT5 closed | Keep the PC awake or use a VPS |
The Experts and Journal tabs at the bottom of MT5 show what the EA and the platform did. A screenshot of these lines is the fastest way to get help from any EA's support. More causes and fixes: why is my MT5 EA not working?
Gold Position Manager follows exactly these steps: one file into MQL5 → Experts, attached to an XAUUSD chart, Algo Trading on. On a real account you press ACTIVATE EA once on the panel. Every setting has a fixed number (for example 401 for the stop loss), the PLAN tab shows your rules in plain words, and alerts can go to your phone. It needs no DLL and no extra programs. See all features.
Questions
Where do I put an EA file in MT5?
In MT5 click File, Open Data Folder, then open MQL5 and Experts and copy the file there. Then refresh the Expert Advisors list in the Navigator.
Why is my EA not doing anything?
Most often Algo Trading is switched off in the toolbar, or Allow Algo Trading is not ticked in the EA's Common tab. Also check that it is on the right symbol and that MT5 is running.
Can I run an EA on my phone?
No. Expert Advisors run only in the MT5 desktop terminal on Windows, or on a Windows VPS. The phone app can open and watch trades and receive alerts.
Sources
- MetaTrader 5 Help: Expert Advisors and custom indicators
- MetaTrader 5 Help: platform settings (Expert Advisors, Notifications)
This guide is education, not financial advice. Any EA can fail or behave differently from what you expect; test it on a demo account and stay ready to manage your trades yourself. Trading gold carries a high risk of loss.