MetaTrader 4 Not Working on Windows 10: 7 Methods to Run It

Easy to follow solutions to get things up and running

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Key notes

  • The MetaTrader 4 client can stop working in Windows 10, sometimes after installing an update or even out of the blue, leaving the client inaccessible.
  • The problem usually arises due to a buggy update, running an outdated version, or missing app files.
  • To fix things, run MT4 in compatibility mode, install the latest OS and app updates, and whitelist in the firewall, amongst other solutions.
fix metatrader 4 not working on windows 10

MetaTrader 4 is a popular electronic trading platform available for Windows. It’s a seamless, user-friendly option and often the first choice of many. However, for some, MetaTrader 4 is not working in Windows 10.

Users reported a wide range of issues. For a few, it showed MT4 No connection, others had problems opening MetaTrader 4 after an update, while for some, MetaTrader 4 crashed on launch. So, let’s find out what’s causing the problem and the solutions that should work.

Why is my MetaTrader 4 not working?

Here are a few reasons MetaTrader 4 is not working:

  • Missing app files: The program contains a large chunk of files. And if any of these are missing or corrupt, you won’t be able to launch it.
  • Running an outdated version of the app: With each app update, users get new features, patches for known bugs, and better security. And sometimes, an outdated version may be out of support, thus leading to MetaTrader 4 not running in Windows 10.
  • Third-party conflicts: Your third-party antivirus or firewall can block the connection attempts by MetaTrader 4, flagging it as malware or PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program).
  • Issues with the Internet connection: A slow Internet connection or one that disconnects intermittently can lead to issues with MetaTrader 4, so checking the network connectivity is of prime importance.

What can I do if MetaTrader 4 is not working on Windows 10?

Before we head to the complex solutions, here are a few quick ones you should try first:

If none work, move to the fixes listed next.

1. Run MetaTrader 4 in compatibility mode

  1. Locate it, right-click on the MetaTrader 4 launcher, and choose Properties from the context menu.
  2. Head to the Compatibility tab, tick the checkbox for Run this program in compatibility mode for, and select Windows 7 from the dropdown menu.compatibility mode to fix metatrader 4 not working on windows 10
  3. Once done, click on Apply and OK to save the changes.save changes

Simply running MetaTrader 4 in compatibility mode should do the trick when it’s not working in Windows 10.

2. Change the file name

  1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer, and navigate the following path:C:\Program Files\MetaTrader
  2. Locate the terminal.exe file, right-click on it, and choose Rename.
  3. Now, give it a different name, say terminals.exe.rename

A user shared that changing the file name helped when MetaTrader was not working in Windows 10 and threw an error each time.

3. Update MetaTrader 4

  1. Open MetaTrader 4, click on the Help menu, hover the cursor over Check Desktop Updates, and choose Latest Release Version.update to fix metatrader 4 not working on windows 10
  2. Wait for the updates to download and install and check if things work out.

4. Perform a network rescan

  1. Launch MetaTrader 4, and click on the network statistics listed at the bottom right.network
  2. Choose Network Rescan from the listed options.Network Rescan to fix metatrader 4 not working on windows 10

5. Whitelist MetaTrader 4 in the firewall

Note icon NOTE
The steps list the process to whitelist MetaTrader 4 in Windows Defender Firewall. In case you are using a third-party firewall, the process should be similar, but you can head to its official website for the exact steps.
  1. Press Windows + S to open Search, type Allow an app through Windows Firewall in the text field, and click on the relevant search result.allow an app
  2. Click on Change settings.change settings
  3. Now, click on Allow another app.allow another app
  4. Click on the Browse button.browse
  5. Head to the installation path for MetaTrader 4, select the launcher, and click Open.add launcher to fix metatrader 4 not working on windows 10
  6. Click on Add.add to fix metatrader 4 not working on windows 10
  7. Make sure both the Private and Public checkboxes are ticked for MetaTrader 4, and click OK to save the changes.whitelist in firewall to fix metatrader 4 not working on windows 10

Your firewall could often block connection attempts by MetaTrader 4, and it’s, subsequently, not working in Windows 10. So, check if firewall is blocking a program, and then whitelist it to get things running.

6. Uninstall the recent Windows update

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings, and choose Update & Security.update & security
  2. Click on View update history on the right.view update history
  3. Click Uninstall updates.uninstall updates to fix metatrader 4 not working on windows 10
  4. Select the recent update from the list, and click Uninstall.uninstall to fix metatrader 4 not working on windows 10
  5. Click Yes in the confirmation prompt.confirm

If the MetaTrader 4 stopped working after a Windows Update, we recommend you uninstall the recent version and revert to the previous stable one.

7. Reinstall MetaTrader 4 to a different directory

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and hit Enter.appwiz.cpl
  2. Select MetaTrader 4 from the list, and click Uninstall.uninstall to fix metatrader 4 not working on windows 10
  3. Tick the Delete user personal data checkbox in the uninstaller setup, and click Next.user personal data
  4. Click Finish to start the uninstall process.finish
  5. Once done, head to MetaTrader 4’s official website and download the setup.download metatrader 4
  6. Next, launch the setup, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.reinstall when metatrader 4 not working on windows 10

If nothing previously helped, a complete reinstall of MetaTrader 4 should do the trick when it’s not working in Windows 10. Just make sure to delete all associated remnant files before reinstalling the program.

And if you are looking for a reliable alternative, check our curated list of the best automated trading software for Windows.

For any queries or to share more solutions with us, comment below.