MT4 EA Installation Guide｜7 Steps to Quickly Start Automated Trading

2025-04-22
Learn Forex, Expert Advisor, Newbie

Want to run an Expert Advisor (EA) on MT4 but don’t know where to start? This tutorial provides a complete process from downloading the EA, placing it into the folder, installing it on the chart, setting parameters, to enabling automated trading, helping beginners confidently launch their first automated trading system.

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This website uses AI-assisted translation. If you have any feedback or suggestions, feel free to contact us. We look forward to receiving your valuable feedback! [email protected]

How to Start Using Expert Advisor (EA) (MT4) ? (Solving the Problem of Not Knowing Where to Start)

Want to try using an Expert Advisor (EA) to assist with trading but don’t know what the first step is?
Don’t worry, this is very normal! This article will guide you step-by-step on how to start using an EA on the commonly used trading platform MetaTrader 4 (MT4).

Step 1: Obtain the EA Files

First, you need to have the EA program files. You can get EAs from various online sources, such as the official MQL5 Market, websites specializing in EA development, or forex forums.

After downloading, you will usually get one or two files:

.ex4 file: This is the compiled file that MT4 can run directly.
.mq4 file: This is the source code file, which you can modify if you know programming.

Sometimes the files are compressed into a .zip archive, so you need to unzip them first.

Step 2: Place the EA Files into the MT4 Folder

To let MT4 find your EA, you need to put the files in the correct location:

Open your MT4 trading platform.
Click the "File" menu at the top left.
Select "Open Data Folder".

Find and open the MQL4 folder.
Then find and open the Experts folder.
Paste the EA files you obtained (mainly .ex4, but .mq4 can also be included) into this folder.
Restart the MT4 platform to load the new EA.

Step 3: Add the EA to a Chart

After restarting MT4:

Find the "Navigator" window on the left side of MT4 (press Ctrl+N if it’s not visible).
Expand "Expert Advisors" to see the EA names you added.

Select the currency pair chart you want to operate on (e.g., EUR/USD).
Drag the EA name with the left mouse button onto the chart.

Step 4: Configure the Basic Settings of the EA

After adding the EA to the chart, a settings window will pop up. Pay attention to the following:

"Common" tab:
- Check "Allow live trading", otherwise the EA cannot place orders.
- If the EA requires DLL usage, check "Allow DLL imports" as instructed. Do not check if the source is unknown.
"Inputs" tab:
- Here you can adjust settings such as trading lots per trade, stop loss points, take profit points, etc.
- If unsure, use default values or refer to the EA’s documentation.
After configuration, click "OK".

Step 5: Enable AutoTrading in MT4

Besides allowing trading in the EA settings, you also need to enable the AutoTrading feature on the MT4 main platform:

Click the "AutoTrading" button on the toolbar.
The button turns green with a play icon, indicating it is enabled.

Step 6: Check if the EA is Running

If the settings are correct, the EA name and a smiley face icon will appear at the top right of the chart, indicating it is running.
If a sad face appears, it means the EA cannot place orders. Please check:

Whether the EA allows live trading
Whether the platform’s AutoTrading is enabled

Step 7: [Must Do for Beginners!] Practice with a Demo Account First!

This is extremely important!

Never run the EA directly with real money.
First apply for a Demo Account for testing, which almost all brokers provide.
Simulate and test thoroughly for weeks or even months, observe performance and adjust parameters until you fully understand its operation and risks.

How to Stop the EA?

Stop a single EA: Right-click the chart → "Expert Advisors" → "Delete" or simply close the chart.
Stop all EAs: Click the "AutoTrading" button to turn it off (button turns red).
Note: Stopping the EA does not close existing positions; you need to manage them manually.

By following these steps, you can solve the confusion of "not knowing where to start" and successfully start using your first EA on MT4.
Remember, patience in testing and learning is the most important!