How to run an Expert Advisor 24/5 on a VPS (MT5 step by step)

How to run an Expert Advisor on a VPS

An EA only trades while the terminal is open and connected. A VPS keeps it on 24 hours a day, five days a week, without depending on your computer.

Why a VPS

Home computers sleep, update and lose connection. A VPS close to your broker's server keeps latency low and the terminal running through the week.

Options

MetaTrader 5 offers a built-in VPS service that migrates your chart setup with one click. You can also rent a Windows VPS and install MT5 yourself. Both work; the built-in one is simpler.

Setup steps

Install MT5 and log in to the trading account. Open the chart of the symbol and timeframe the EA requires. Attach the EA and load its preset. Enable Algo Trading, allow the permissions the EA lists, and confirm the smiley icon in the chart corner.

Checks every week

Connection status, the Experts and Journal tabs for errors, free margin, and that the broker server time still matches the EA's session settings.

Updates and restarts

Windows updates and terminal updates can restart a VPS. Check that the EA is attached again after any restart.

Test on demo first

Run the same setup on a demo account for a few days. Confirm that orders open and close as the backtest suggests before you fund a real account.

Ready for the VPS

Eudora engines are built for a VPS. State is saved across restarts, so after a reboot a basket resumes on its own with no recovery orders. Albireo and Fuji keep their common take profit on the broker's server and send phone notifications when a basket opens and closes.

Questions and answers

Do I need a VPS to run an Expert Advisor?

A VPS is the standard way to keep an EA on 24 hours a day, five days a week. Eudora engines resume from saved state after any restart.

Does the EA run when my computer is off?

On a VPS, yes. That is the point of one.

Which VPS location is best?

A server close to your broker's data centre. MT5 even shows the latency before you subscribe.