"No connection" means MT5 can't reach your broker's server; "Invalid account" means the server refused your login. Both are fixed from the login window: the right server, the right account number, the trading password.
A simulated sketch of the layout, not a screenshot: text is blank bars except the names this page prints, and the ping is one our own terminal logged.
Read as text
- 1. Read the bottom right: it says No connection.
- 2. Rescan the servers: click it → Rescan servers.
- 3. Check the server name: File → Login to Trade Account.
- 4. Connected: the corner shows the ping.
- Still nothing? Turn off a VPN, try the phone app, and check the build: MT5 4755 or newer since 1 July 2025.
How this window was chosen: Places and names from MetaQuotes' MT5 and mobile help, with OANDA's, IG's and RoboMarkets' help pages for the messages, read 2026-10-24. Menus can differ slightly between builds and brokers.
Why does MT5 say No connection?
Usually the server name; then the internet; then an old build. OANDA's MT5 guide shows it for a wrong server or a server list that needs refreshing. Click "No connection" at the bottom right to rescan the servers (RoboMarkets), then check the server name in File, Login to Trade Account.
What does Invalid account mean?
The login, the password or the server is wrong. Use the MT5 trading password, not your broker's website password (IG). An expired demo says it too, and MT5 then opens a new demo by itself (MetaQuotes). "Authorization failed" is searched with the same reasons: invalid account, old version, no connection.
Old version: the minimum builds
MT5 needs build 4755 and MT4 build 1440 since 1 July 2025 (MetaQuotes). Find yours under Help, About, or paste the Journal's "authorized on … build" line into the checker.
Waiting for update on a chart
The chart has no data yet. Close it, right-click Market Watch, Show All, and open a new chart (IG). If the corner says No connection, fix that first.
Logged in, but trading is disabled
An investor-password login can't trade (MetaQuotes); log in with the master password. One symbol refusing is MT5 error 10017 or MT4 error 133.
Off quotes and Common error
Order messages: the Journal tab has the reason. Off quotes is no price to fill at; Common error carries no reason, so don't keep resending. From an EA they arrive as codes: the MT5 and MT4 lookups read them.
On the phone app
Type three letters of your broker to find its server: the list hides most of them (MetaQuotes). "Forgot your password?" under the form opens your broker's contacts.
Use this animation on your site.
Frequently asked questions
Why does MT5 say No connection?
It can't reach your broker's trade server. OANDA's help shows it for a server name entered wrong or a server list that needs refreshing; Vantage says it's usually wrong login details; RoboMarkets adds a poor internet connection or a problem on the server. Check the server name first, then rescan the servers from the connection indicator at the bottom right.
What does Invalid account mean in MT5?
The server refused the login: the account number, the password or the server is wrong (OANDA's MT5 help). Use the MT5 trading password, not your broker's website password (IG). A demo account that expired also answers Invalid account, and MT5 then opens a new demo on the same server if the broker allows it (MetaQuotes).
What does Old version mean in MT4 or MT5?
The terminal is older than the broker's servers accept. MetaQuotes set the minimum from 1 July 2025 at MT5 build 4755 and MT4 build 1440; older desktop terminals can no longer connect. Install the current version from your broker and log in again.
Why does my MT4 chart say Waiting for update?
The chart has no data yet for that symbol. IG's help: close the chart, right-click Market Watch, choose Show All, and open a new chart from there. If the bottom right says No connection, fix that first.
Why can I log in to MT5 but not trade?
An investor-password login shows the account but can't trade (MetaQuotes); log in with the master password. At OANDA, an account with a balance of 0 or no trading for some time has trading disabled automatically, until the balance goes over 0.
MT5 says No connection on my phone. What do I do?
Search for your broker's server on the account page: MetaQuotes' Android and iPhone help says the list hides most servers until you type three characters of the name. Your broker can tell you the exact server, and Forgot your password? under the login form opens their contacts.