Installing an Expert Advisor on MetaTrader 5 takes about five minutes. Here's the whole process — copy the file, enable AutoTrading, attach to a chart, confirm it's running — plus a troubleshooting checklist. No EA yet? See the best MT5 EAs of 2026.
Before you start
You need MT5 installed and logged into a broker (demo is fine), plus your EA file — an .ex5 (ready to run) or .mq5 (source you compile).
Step 1 — Open the data folder
In MT5: File ▸ Open Data Folder, then open MQL5 ▸ Experts.
Step 2 — Copy the EA file in
Copy your .ex5 into that Experts folder (an .mq5 works too — you'll compile it next).
Step 3 — Refresh the Navigator
Back in MT5, right-click Expert Advisors in the Navigator (Ctrl+N) and choose Refresh. For an .mq5, double-click it and press F7 in MetaEditor to compile.
Step 4 — Enable AutoTrading
Click the AutoTrading toolbar button so it turns green — the master switch for all EAs.
Step 5 — Attach the EA to a chart
Open the right symbol/timeframe (Gold Scalpers EA runs on XAUUSD), drag the EA on, then in the dialog tick Allow Algo Trading (Common tab), set inputs (Inputs tab), and click OK.
Step 6 — Verify it's running
Top-right of the chart: a smiley 🙂 = active and allowed to trade; a sad face ☹ = algo trading disabled (recheck Steps 4–5). Watch the Experts/Journal tabs (Ctrl+T).
Multiple charts or devices
Use a unique magic number per chart, and copy the .ex5 to each computer's Experts folder. Gold Scalpers EA has no device lock — install and backtest it on multiple devices freely.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|
| Sad face | Tick "Allow Algo Trading" and turn AutoTrading green |
| No face | Drag the EA onto the chart again |
| Loaded but no trades | Wrong symbol/timeframe, market closed, or no signal yet |
| Trades rejected | Spread above filter, low margin, or invalid lot |
| EA missing | Not in MQL5\Experts, or needs Refresh/recompile |
Next: backtest it and forward-test on demo before going live.