How to Install an EA on MetaTrader 5 — Step-by-Step Guide 2026
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Installing an Expert Advisor (EA) on MetaTrader 5 is simpler than most traders think. Whether you've just purchased an EA from PMotive or downloaded one elsewhere, this step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process — from downloading the file to watching your first automated trade execute.
What You'll Need
- MetaTrader 5 installed on your PC or laptop
- An MT5 broker account (demo or live)
- Your EA file (.ex5 format)
- 10 minutes
Step 1: Download Your EA File
After purchasing from PMotive, you'll receive an email with your .ex5 file attached. Download it and save it somewhere easy to find — your Desktop works fine.
Important: Make sure the file ends in .ex5 (not .ex4 — that's for MT4). PMotive EAs are built exclusively for MetaTrader 5.
Step 2: Open MetaTrader 5
Launch MT5 on your computer. If you don't have it installed yet, download it directly from your broker's website (Exness, HFM, Deriv, etc.) — it's free.
Step 3: Open the Data Folder
In MT5, click: File → Open Data Folder
This opens the MT5 data directory on your computer.
Step 4: Navigate to the EA Folder
Inside the Data Folder, navigate to: MQL5 → Experts
This is where all Expert Advisors are stored.
Step 5: Copy Your EA File
Copy your .ex5 file and paste it into the Experts folder.
Step 6: Refresh MT5
Go back to MetaTrader 5 and either press F5 to refresh, or right-click on Expert Advisors in the Navigator panel → click Refresh.
Your EA will now appear in the Navigator panel under Expert Advisors.
Step 7: Attach the EA to a Chart
- Open the chart for your instrument (e.g. XAUUSD, US30, NAS100, V75)
- In the Navigator panel, find your EA under Expert Advisors
- Drag and drop the EA onto the chart — or double-click it
A settings window will appear.
Step 8: Configure EA Settings
In the settings window:
- Common tab → tick "Allow Algo Trading"
- Inputs tab → set your lot size (start with 0.01 for safety)
- Click OK
A smiley face icon will appear in the top right corner of the chart — this means the EA is active and running.
Step 9: Enable AutoTrading
Click the AutoTrading button in the MT5 toolbar (it should turn green). This is the master switch that allows EAs to place trades.
If AutoTrading is off (grey/red), your EA will not trade — this is the most common mistake new users make.
Step 10: Verify It's Running
Check the Journal tab at the bottom of MT5. You should see a message confirming the EA has initialised successfully. The EA will now monitor the market and execute trades automatically according to its strategy.
Common Issues & Fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| EA not showing in Navigator | Refresh MT5 (F5) or restart the platform |
| Smiley face is a sad face ☹️ | Enable "Allow Algo Trading" in EA settings |
| AutoTrading button is grey | Click it to turn it green |
| EA not placing trades | Check your broker allows automated trading on your account type |
| Wrong file format (.ex4) | You need an .ex5 file for MT5 — contact PMotive support |
Which PMotive EA Should You Start With?
Once your MT5 is set up, here are the best EAs to get started with based on your preferred market:
- XAUUSD (Gold) & NAS100 → Bullymax Pro Gold MT5 EA — structured TP/SL entries, consistent results
- US30 (Dow Jones) → US30 Scalper EA MT5 — high-frequency scalping, session-based
- Volatility 75 Index (Deriv) → VigoRL V75 EA — 24/7 synthetic indices automation
All PMotive EAs come with a setup guide, optimised settings file, 14-day money-back guarantee, and VIP support — so you're never left figuring it out alone.
Watch Live EA Installations on TikTok
Not sure if you've done it right? Watch us install and run PMotive EAs live every day on @fxtvlibrary on TikTok. We show the full setup process, live trades, and real results — no edits.
