Installing an Expert Advisor in MetaTrader 5 is simpler than it looks. In this guide we take you through it step by step: from copying the file to getting the robot trading, including the permissions almost everyone forgets and the most common errors.
Before you start, you need two things: MetaTrader 5 installed and logged in to your broker account, and the Expert Advisor file (usually with the .ex5 extension). If you’re not sure yet what an EA is, first read what an Expert Advisor is and how it works.
1 · Open the MetaTrader 5 data folder
In MetaTrader 5, go to the top menu and click File → Open Data Folder. A file explorer window will open with the platform’s internal files.
On a Mac: that menu won’t take you anywhere useful, because MetaTrader 5 for macOS keeps its folders inside Library, which is hidden. Use Finder instead: open the Go → Go to Folder… menu (Cmd+Shift+G), paste ~/Library/Application Support/net.metaquotes.wine.metatrader5/drive_c/Program Files/MetaTrader 5/MQL5 and press Return. You land straight in MQL5, with Experts and Indicators in view. If that path doesn’t exist, go to ~/Library/Application Support/ and look for the folder whose name starts with net.metaquotes.wine. (broker-branded versions change the name). The installation guide walks you through it step by step, with a button to copy the path.
Inside, open the MQL5 folder. You’ll see several subfolders; the ones you need are Experts (for robots) and Indicators (for indicators).
2 · Copy the Expert Advisor file into MT5
Copy the EA file (.ex5) into the MQL5/Experts folder.
If your Expert Advisor uses custom indicators (separate files), copy them into MQL5/Indicators. Many people forget this step, and it stops the robot from starting.
If the EA depends on indicators and one is missing, MetaTrader will show an error like "cannot load custom indicator" and the robot won’t trade. Make sure you copy every file the developer gave you.
3 · Attach the EA to a chart
Close and reopen MetaTrader 5 (or right-click "Expert Advisors" in the Navigator panel and click Refresh). The EA will now appear under Navigator → Expert Advisors.
Open the chart for the symbol and timeframe the developer specifies (for example, gold, XAU/USD on H1, the 1-hour chart). Then drag the EA from the Navigator onto the chart. A settings window will open with its input parameters; adjust them as instructed and click OK.
4 · Allow algo trading in MetaTrader 5
For the EA to trade, turn on the "Algo Trading" button (called "AutoTrading" in older versions) in the top toolbar. It should turn green.
If your EA needs to connect to the internet (for example, to validate a license), you’ll have to authorize its address under Tools → Options → Expert Advisors by ticking "Allow WebRequest for listed URL" and adding the address the developer gives you.
When everything is set up correctly, you’ll see a smiley face in the top-right corner of the chart, next to the EA’s name. That means it’s active and trading.
5 · Common Expert Advisor installation errors and fixes
- The EA doesn’t appear in the Navigator: check that you copied the
.ex5file intoMQL5/Expertsand restart MetaTrader. - "cannot load custom indicator" error: an indicator is missing from
MQL5/Indicators. Copy them all and restart. - No smiley face: turn on the "Algo Trading" button (it should be green).
- The EA doesn’t open any trades: it’s normal for it to wait until its conditions are met. A good EA trades selectively, not on every candle.
- It stops when you turn off your computer: the EA only works while MetaTrader is running. To trade 24/5 without depending on your own computer, use a VPS (an always-on cloud server).
AUREUM comes with a guide and indicators included
Our gold algorithm ships with all the files ready and a step-by-step installation guide, so you can get it running without the hassle.
Discover AUREUM →