This VPX installation guide shows you how to get VantageX EA (Vantage PointX) running on MetaTrader 4. The process is the same as for most Expert Advisors: copy the EA file into the terminal’s Experts folder, refresh the platform, attach the robot to a chart, and enable automated trading. Each step takes only a few minutes, and the video below walks through it visually.
Before You Start
A little preparation avoids most installation problems. Before you begin, check the following:
- MetaTrader 4 is installed and you can log in to your trading account. Ideally, use your broker’s own MT4 download.
- Your broker permits Expert Advisors on your account type. Most do, but it is worth confirming.
- You have the EA file (an .ex4 file) or the installer you received with your licence.
- You start on a demo account. Our guide to the MT4 demo account explains how to open one.
Watch the VPX Installation Video
The official video covers the installation through the installer, so you can follow along at your own pace.
If you use the installer, follow its prompts as shown in the video, and then continue from step 4 below. If you have the EA file instead, the manual method follows.
Step-by-Step VPX Installation on MT4
The manual method has seven short steps. Work through them in order, and check each one before moving on.
- Open the data folder. In MetaTrader 4, click File and then Open Data Folder. A Windows Explorer window opens at the terminal’s own data directory. This matters, because MT4 often stores its files in a user folder rather than in Program Files.
- Copy the EA into the Experts folder. Inside the data folder, open MQL4 and then Experts. Next, paste the VantageX EA file here. If the EA came with extra files, such as libraries or set files, place them in the folders named in the instructions you received.
- Refresh the Navigator. Return to MT4 and open the Navigator window (Ctrl+N). Then right-click on Expert Advisors and choose Refresh. If the EA still does not appear, close and reopen the terminal.
Attach and activate the EA
With the file in place, the remaining steps happen inside MetaTrader itself. They decide whether the EA can actually place trades, so take care with each setting.
- Attach the EA to a chart. Open a chart of the symbol and timeframe you intend to trade. After that, drag the EA from the Navigator onto the chart. A settings window opens.
- Allow live trading and DLL imports. On the Common tab, tick Allow live trading. Some EAs also need Allow DLL imports; only enable it if the EA’s instructions require it. Then review the Inputs tab, set your lot size or risk settings, and click OK.
- Turn on AutoTrading. Click the AutoTrading button on the main toolbar so that it turns green. Alternatively, go to Tools, Options, Expert Advisors and tick Allow automated trading. Once the smiley icon appears in the top-right corner of the chart, automated trading is active.
- Check the Experts and Journal tabs. Finally, open the Terminal window (Ctrl+T) and look at the Experts and Journal tabs. A successful load shows a message that the EA initialised. Errors, such as licence or connection problems, also appear here.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
- Sad face on the chart: live trading is not allowed. Open the EA settings with F7 and tick the option.
- EA missing from the Navigator: the file probably went into the wrong folder. Check that you used the data folder of the same terminal.
- No trades: this is often normal. An EA only trades when its conditions are met, so give it time and check the logs.
- “Trade is disabled” in the Journal: your account may be read-only (investor password) or the market may be closed.
Updating or Removing the EA
From time to time you may receive a newer version of the EA. To update, first remove the old one from every chart: right-click the chart, choose Expert Advisors, and then Remove. Next, replace the file in the MQL4 Experts folder, refresh the Navigator, and attach the new version. Afterwards, check that your inputs are still the way you want them, because a new version may reset some settings.
To remove the EA completely, take it off all charts and delete the file from the Experts folder. Open trades stay in your account, so close or manage them manually if needed.
Installing on MT5 Instead
The steps on MetaTrader 5 are similar. However, the EA folder is MQL5 then Experts, the files use the .ex5 extension, and the toolbar button is called Algo Trading. An MT4 file will not run on MT5, so use the version built for your platform. You can download the latest terminal from MetaTrader 5.
Keep the EA Running After Your VPX Installation
An EA only works while MetaTrader is open and connected. If you turn off your computer, the robot stops managing trades. For that reason, many traders run their terminal on a remote server; our guide to forex virtual private servers explains why. Also, keep in mind that results on a demo or in the Strategy Tester can differ from live trading, as our article on MQL5 backtest vs live trading explains.
Run the EA on a demo account first, confirm it behaves as you expect, and only then move to a live account with risk settings you are comfortable with. For more on choosing and judging an EA, see our forex EA review guide.
Risk note: Trading forex and synthetic indices involves substantial risk of loss. Results vary between accounts and market conditions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Only trade with capital you can afford to lose.