adminMetaTrader 5 (MT5) is most likely what you’re using if you’re trading with a prop business. It is among the most widely used platforms. It is streamlined, quick, adaptable, and loaded with features that keep traders on top of their game. However, even the best platforms have errors. For example, when you’re ready to lock in a strong profit or manage a losing position, MT5’s peculiarities, flaws, and error messages might appear at the worst possible moment.
These problems are not only frustrating when trading a funded prop account but they also cost you actual money or possibly result in your account being reported. Let’s talk about the most frequent MT5 platform faults, their causes, and quick fixes.
Why You Need to Stay on Top of MT5 Errors in Prop Trading
Sloppiness is not tolerated in prop trading. Everything matters, whether you’re managing a funded account, completing a challenge, or approaching scaling. Your prop firm will not be pleased if a single platform problem causes your risk limits to be thrown off, your entry to be delayed, or your stop-loss to fail to trigger.
Being proficient in technology isn’t enough to identify and resolve MetaTrader 5 problems. The goal is to keep your seat at the prop table safe. Let’s go over the main problems that traders encounter and how to maintain both your account and your sanity.
Trade Disabled Error
What it means:
Nothing occurs when you press the purchase or sell button. Rather, MT5 hits you with a notification in the terminal that says Trade disabled.
Why it happens:
This often appears when trading on that account or symbol has been disabled by the broker or prop firm. Your trial may have ended. You may have reached a maximum daily loss. The symbol could be halted.
Fix it:
First, use the Market Watch window to see whether trade is turned off (right-click the symbol > Specification).
Verify that your account is not suspended and is still active.
If you’re not sure, contact your prop company. This is one of those mistakes you don’t want to think is a simple malfunction.
Pro Tip: Occasionally, this occurs during maintenance windows or rollover periods. Check the trade timetable twice at all times.
Not Enough Money Error
What it means:
You have a healthy account balance but when you go to initiate a transaction, MT5 tells you that you are broke.
Why it occurs:
This frequently means that your deal is larger than the allowed margin. MT5 automatically calculates the required margin, since prop companies usually have stringent leverage requirements.
Fix it:
- Lower your lot size.
- Double-check your leverage settings.
- Use the built-in Trade Calculator or a third-party tool to estimate required margin before placing trades.
Heads-up: Certain funded accounts include specified restrictions like limiting your trading risk to a specific proportion. Consult the company if you are within margin limitations and you are still receiving this message.
Off Quotes Error
What it means:
The pricing isn’t available at this time according to MT5. In essence, the platform indicates that it does not have a quote for the deal you attempted to execute.
Why it occurs:
This can be the result of your order timing out, a frozen pricing feed, or a poor internet connection.
Fix it:
- Verify the stability of your internet connection.
- To check if prices are moving, press Ctrl+M to launch Market Watch.
- Try restarting MT5.
- If permitted, switch from Instant Execution to Market Execution.
Pro Tip: Use a VPS or relocate closer to the broker’s server area if this continues to occur, particularly during high-volatility events.
Invalid Stops Error
What it means:
MT5 won’t let you place a trade with your current stop-loss or take-profit settings.
Why it occurs:
Most likely, you’re placing stops too near the market price. The stop level is the minimal distance that each broker allows SL/TP to be from the current price.
Fix it:
- Right-click the symbol in Market Watch > Specification > Look for “Stops level.”
- Adjust your SL/TP accordingly.
Tip: When scalpers are attempting to maintain tight stops, this is very typical. Just make sure your approach still satisfies the company’s minimum trade holding time or distance standards if you’re doing that on a prop firm account.
Chart Freezing or MT5 Lagging
What it means:
The platform suddenly slows down, charts stop updating, or it crashes completely.
Why it occurs:
Overloaded RAM, CPU-intensive EA applications, or an excessive number of indicators might be the problem, especially if you have 10 active charts with various time periods.
Fix it:
- Close unused charts.
- Remove unnecessary indicators.
- Restart the platform and clear the cache.
- Use Task Manager to monitor MT5’s memory usage.
- If you’re using custom EAs then try disabling them one by one to isolate the issue.
Long-Term Fix: Upgrade your machine or run MT5 on a dedicated VPS.
Error Codes in the Journal Tab
Occasionally, the error notice is simply a generic Request rejected or Trade failed. At that point, you will be best friends with the Journal and Experts tabs. Here are some typical ones that you may encounter:
- Error 130: Invalid stops – see above.
- Error 133: Trade is disabled – again, check with your broker or prop firm.
- Error 134: Not enough money – margin issue.
- Error 136: Off quotes – pricing problem.
- Error 138: Requote – price changed before your trade hit the server.
- Error 146: Trade context busy – MT5 is still processing a previous order.
Fix it:
Check these errors in your terminal and use them to troubleshoot. Most of the time, they’ll point you in the right direction.
