How to Identify MT4/MT5 Performance Issues and Fix Them?

Are you a trader seeking answers about, ‘Why is my MT4 slow or laggy?’ and experiencing frustrating slowdowns or freezes with your MetaTrader 4 or 5 platform?

MT4/MT5 performance issues can severely impact trading success and potentially cause missed trades and profits. This practical guide identifies and fixes the five most common problems with your trading software, focusing on practical actions and helping you choose a Forex VPS server or a Trading VPS.

Why is My MT4/MT5 Slow?

Memory Leaks, Insufficient resources like RAM or disk Space, poor Internet Connection, and too many open charts are the primary reasons for Slow MT4/MT5. While Custom indicators code is a significant cause of MT4 or MT5 performance issues, it is not the only reason.

What are Common MT4/MT5 Performance Issues?

1. Lagging:

• Open MT4/MT5 and observe the time it takes for the platform to respond when you click on different tabs (e.g., "Trade," "History").
• Move the mouse cursor over a chart. Note any delay in the cursor's movement or chart element highlights.
• Place a test trade and note the time between clicking "Buy/Sell" and the trade in your "Trade" tab.
• Monitor the "Data Window" (Ctrl+D) for delayed price updates compared to a reliable live feed.

2. Memory Leaks:

A memory leak happens when the platform or its connected applications (like expert advisors or indicators) allocate memory but fail to release it when it's not needed, leading to a gradual decline in system performance and potential crashes.

• Over time, MT4/MT5 clients may consume increasing amounts of memory, leading to performance degradation. Unused objects or improperly freed memory when closing or unloading indicators, EAs, or scripts.
• If you notice a gradual increase in memory usage over time (without any clear reason, like opening more charts or running more indicators), it might indicate a memory leak.

• Task Manager (Windows):
• Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
• Go to the Processes tab and look for MetaTrader (Terminal.exe) or MetaEditor (if you're testing from there).
• Monitor the Memory (Private Working Set) column for any significant increase as you run your indicators/EAs. If it increases continuously and does not decrease even after closing charts or unloading indicators, you might have a memory leak.
• Resource Monitor (More detailed monitoring):
• Type resmon in the Windows Start menu and open Resource Monitor.
• Go to the Memory tab and track MetaTrader’s memory consumption over time.

3. Slowdowns:

• Measure the time it takes to load historical data by scrolling back on a chart.
• Open multiple charts simultaneously. Observe if the platform's overall responsiveness decreases.
• Note any delays in switching between open charts or tabs.
• If using EAs, note if the EAs appear to be executing trades with a noticeable delay.

4. Chart Lagging:

• Open a reliable live price feed (e.g., a website or another trading platform).
• Compare the price movements on your MT4/MT5 charts with the live feed. Note any delays or discrepancies.
• Change the chart timeframe and observe if the price data updates in real time.

5. Slow Execution of Orders:

• Place a test trade and use a stopwatch to measure the time between clicking "Buy/Sell" and the trade confirmation.
• Compare the execution time with your broker's advertised execution speed.
• If experiencing delays, try placing trades during different market conditions (e.g., high volatility, low volatility) to see if there's a pattern.

6. Freezing:

• Attempt to open a new chart or change the time frame. If the platform stops responding, it's freezing.
• Press "Ctrl+Alt+Delete" and open Task Manager. Check if MT4/MT5 shows "Not Responding."
• If the platform freezes frequently, note the actions that precede the freeze (e.g., opening a new indicator, changing time frame).

How to Fix a Slow MT4/MT5?

Troubleshooting MT4/MT5 Performance Issues:

1. Identify and Address Slow Indicators/EAs:

• Right-click on the chart exhibiting performance issues and select "Indicators List." Write down the names of all active indicators.
• Open the Strategy Tester (View > Strategy Tester).
• Select an indicator from your list, choose "Every tick" model, and set the "Visual mode" on.
• Click "Start" and observe the visual mode. If it lags significantly, the indicator is likely the culprit.
• Open the "Experts" tab in the terminal window. Check for any error messages related to indicators.
• If a slow indicator is identified, remove it from the chart and test performance.
• If you are a developer, open the indicator's MQL code, analyze loops, and optimize memory usage.

2. Manage Graphical Objects:

• Right-click on a problematic chart and select "Objects List."
• Click "List all." Note the "Total" number of objects displayed.
• If the object count is very high (e.g., above 100,000), close the chart and observe if MT4/MT5 performance improves.
• Identify the EA or indicator that generates the excessive objects (if applicable).
• In the Objects List, select any object, press "Ctrl+A" to select all, and click "Delete."
• Open template files (.tpl) using a text editor (e.g., Notepad). Search for "<object>" tags to check for excessive object entries.
• If you are a developer, implement object cleanup within the EA/indicator code.

3. Minimize Slow System Calls:

• If using indicators that interact with files or the internet, monitor the "Experts" tab for errors.
• If experiencing slowdowns, try temporarily disabling indicators that perform file writes or web requests.
• Developers: Avoid frequent file writes or web requests in indicator code. Cache data and write in bulk if file writes are necessary.

4.Optimize MT4/MT5 Settings:

Optimizing your MetaTrader to run smoothly on VPS is necessary.

• Go to Tools > Options > Charts. Reduce "Max bars in chart" to 5000.
• In Tools > Options, disable unused features in the "Publisher," "Email Alerts," and "Events" tabs.
• In Tools > Options > Server, disable "News."
• Press "Ctrl+M," right-click in Market Watch, and select "Hide All" for unused currency pairs.
• Close all charts that are not actively used.
• Disable unnecessary logging functions in EAs (if applicable).
• Restart MT4/MT5 daily.

5. Manage Computer Resources:

• Press "Ctrl+Alt+Delete" and open Task Manager.
• In the "Processes" or "Details" tab, identify resource-intensive applications (e.g., Chrome, video editing software).
• Close unnecessary applications to free up RAM and CPU.
• Monitor CPU and RAM usage in Task Manager during MT4/MT5 operation.

How to Prevent MT4/MT5 Performance Issues?

1. Forex VPS Server/Trading VPS:

• Research and select a reputable Forex VPS/Trading VPS provider with good reviews and server uptime.
• Purchase a Forex VPS plan that meets your needs.
• Configure your MT4/MT5 platform on the VPS.
• Monitor the VPS performance and uptime regularly.

2. Keep MT4/MT5 Updated:

Check for MT4/MT5 updates regularly and install them immediately. Using an updated version will help you avoid threats.

3. Monitor PC Resources:

Periodically check CPU and RAM usage during trading sessions using Task Manager. This will help you track where your resources are utilized the most and take necessary actions.

4. Reputable Indicators:

• Download indicators from trusted sources and read user reviews.
• Avoid Indicators with Excessive Graphical Objects As mentioned above, they consume more power.
• Indicators that offer unrealistic promises or lack clear explanations of their calculations should be treated with doubt.

5. Reliable Internet Connection:

• Use a wired Ethernet connection for maximum stability.
• Run regular Internet speed tests.
• Contact your ISP to resolve any connection issues.

These practical steps can significantly improve MT4/MT5 performance and minimize disruptions, enhancing your trading experience.