Practical Guide to Running MT5 EAs 24/7 on Your Home PC: Stability for Beginners

First, one crucial note.
It is true that you can run MetaTrader 5 (MT5) EAs 24/7 on a laptop or desktop at home, but even small mistakes in power, cooling, or settings make crashes more likely. If you’re unsure about operating stability, consider using a VPS from the start (data-center grade power, network, and cooling—ideal for 24/7 operation).
Related article: VPS vs. Home PC (On-prem) for EA Operation: A Detailed Comparison Guide (with Electricity Cost Estimates)

This article provides concrete steps to “first stabilize things on your own PC.” Even if you later migrate to a VPS, the mindset you build here will carry over unchanged.

Table of Contents

Start with cooling: target room and PC temperatures

Although EAs look lightweight, opening multiple charts warms up the CPU and SSD; high temperatures make the system unstable. Aim for a room temperature of 22–26°C (broadly 18–28°C) and humidity of 40–60%. In rooms over 30°C, fans run constantly and behavior becomes erratic.

On the PC side, it’s reassuring if the CPU temperature stays below 70–80°C during normal operation. If it keeps hitting the 80s°C, first raise the chassis bottom for airflow → use a cooling pad → clean dust. If temps still won’t drop, set the power option “Maximum processor state” to 90–95% to soften heat output (with little impact on perceived performance).

How to check CPU temperature (Windows built-in + lightweight tools)

Windows Task Manager does not display CPU temperature (GPU temperature may show). Use a lightweight temperature monitor (e.g., Core Temp / HWiNFO / HWMonitor), a vendor utility (Lenovo Vantage, Dell Power Manager, etc.), or check UEFI/BIOS.

Real-time CPU core temperature (Core Temp)

Use Task Manager to spot “heaviness” (risk thresholds)

You can sense trouble by peeking at Task Manager. Launch it with Ctrl + Shift + Esc (or right-click the taskbar → Task Manager).

  1. On the Processes tab, check CPU, Memory, and Disk usage for “MetaTrader 5” or “terminal64.exe”.
  2. On the Performance tab, watch CPU graphs, free memory, and disk usage trends to ensure nothing is constantly pegged.
  3. On the Startup tab, disable unnecessary resident apps to stabilize boot behavior after restarts.

Interpreting “limit thresholds” (danger lines)
CPU: If over 70% continuously for 10+ minutes, headroom is low. 85–100% pegged for long stretches is risky (reduce chart or EA count).
Memory: Over 80% used or less than 2 GB free increases paging. If possible, go 16 GB+; with 8 GB, limit concurrent apps.
Disk (SSD): If Active time 80–100% lasts several minutes, you’re congested. Keep 15–20% free space on the C drive at all times.
Network: In MT5’s lower-right, a ping of ≤100 ms is ideal; if >200 ms is constant, fills are more likely to lag.

Task Manager process view: CPU and memory load check

2) Power and sleep design to prevent stoppages

Sleep, hibernation, and power-saving behaviors are the top reasons EAs stop. Keep the AC adapter plugged in and apply the settings below in this order. Follow along as written.

A. Turning the screen off is fine—never let the PC sleep

Windows:
Settings → System → Power & Battery → “Screen and sleep”

  • Screen: as you like (turning it off when idle is fine)
  • PC sleep: Never

(For laptops) Keep running with the lid closed:
Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Power Options → left menu “Choose what closing the lid does” → set “Do nothing” (at least for Plugged in).

Windows sleep-disable setting

B. Disable power-saving that cuts devices

  • Turn off USB selective suspend: Control Panel → Power Options → “Change plan settings” → “Change advanced power settings” → USB settings → USB selective suspend setting → Disabled (prevents glitches with mice/dongles).
  • Disable NIC power saving: Device Manager → Network adapters → double-click your adapter → “Power Management” → uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”

C. Plan Windows Update and restarts

Unexpected restarts are fatal. When Windows restarts, MT5 stops—and may remain closed. If you hold positions without stop-losses, you risk large, unexpected losses.

Practical steps to avoid automatic Windows Update installs (for beginners)

  1. Set a long Active hours window (e.g., 09:00–08:00 next day).
  2. Enable restart notifications (turn on in Advanced options).
  3. Use Pause updates (up to 35 days).
  4. Make a routine of manual updates once a week → restart → confirm MT5 auto-restores (see “Weekly maintenance”).

(For Pro edition) You can configure policies via “gpedit.msc” to suppress auto restarts. On Home edition, the steps above are sufficient.

3) Where to place MT5 and how to launch it (fix common pitfalls in one go)

Issues like settings not saving, permission errors, or missing logs often stem from the install location (under Program Files) and scattered data locations. We recommend:

  • Move MT5 to the root of C: (e.g., C:\BrokerName\) to reduce UAC interference.
  • Launch with /portable so settings, logs, and the whole MQL5 tree live inside the MT5 folder.
  • For multiple accounts/brokers, split folders and create separate launch shortcuts. Stagger launch by 5 seconds to smooth load.

Related articles:
MT5 × EA UAC Permission Errors: Causes and How to Avoid Them (Beginner-friendly)
How to Install & Launch Multiple MT5 Instances on One PC/VPS [Complete Beginner’s Guide]

4) Keep the network alive (wired over Wi-Fi; tune your router)

Home networks are another major instability source. Prefer wired Ethernet (direct LAN cable). Avoid extenders; disable router features that cause frequent handoffs like auto 2.4/5 GHz switching. Reboot the router monthly to refresh. If your model’s ECO or “auto bandwidth optimization” increases disconnects, turn those off and observe.

5) Don’t let logs and history pile up

Large history bars and log files increase read/writes and slow the system.

  • In MT5 Tools → Options → Charts, keep the Number of bars in history to the minimum necessary.
  • Regularly delete old files in ...\logs and ...\MQL5\Logs (older than ~2 weeks).
  • Keep 15–20% free space on the system drive. Be cautious if C: has <10% free.

Related article (applies to home PCs too): VPS Operations Basics: Keep It Running and Lightweight

6) Lock your screen (MT5 continues running while locked)

When leaving your desk, press Win + L to lock. This also reduces data-leak risk if the PC is stolen. MT5 keeps running in the background while locked (the key is: don’t sleep).

If you often forget to lock, require sign-in on resume. Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options → enable “Require sign-in” on wake; in Screen Saver settings, enable “On resume, display logon screen.”

7) Prepare auto-start and recovery after crashes

Set things up so that MT5 launches automatically after unexpected restarts or updates.

  • Register MT5 in Startup apps or launch it via Task Scheduler.
  • Add terminal64.exe and the MT5 folder to your antivirus exclusions.

Related article: Batch-Launch Multiple MT5 Instances Automatically: Startup & Task Scheduler Explained

8) Power-outage risks and countermeasures (laptop vs. desktop)

The largest external disturbance at home is a power outage. Even brief sags can drop your home router and ONT/ONU, causing a network cut—your EA may be running but orders won’t execute. If the PC itself shuts down, unsaved data and MT5 logs can be corrupted. Even if power returns quickly, if MT5 remains closed, your EA won’t run.

Outage risk also depends on how your EA closes positions. If your EA closes with market orders without server-side stop-losses, MT5 downtime during outages raises the chance of unexpected losses in fast markets. Related article: EA Order Types and Risk Comparison

By contrast, standard position Stop Loss (SL) and Take Profit (TP) registered on the broker’s server keep working even if your PC is down—this is a major safety net. EAs that use tight SLs to cap per-trade risk also sidestep outage risk.

(However, some EAs use virtual SL/TP inside the EA, which are not registered on the broker’s server. Be careful in that case.)
For reference, the EAs developed on this site always use broker-registered SLs and TPs.

For laptops

  • Your internal battery acts as a UPS. If the battery health is below ~80%, brief sags may still shut you down. Check health regularly.
  • Recommended: attach a small UPS to the router + ONU (400–600 VA) to maintain connectivity. You may still get fills during short outages.
  • Auto-recovery: after power returns, ensure Windows login → MT5 auto-start (Startup or Task Scheduler). If running with the lid closed, ensure proper intake/exhaust.

For desktops

  • Use a UPS for the tower (and monitor if possible). If the tower draws ~300 W, a 1000–1500 VA unit buys you a few to ~15 minutes.
  • Set BIOS “Restore on AC Power Loss” (a.k.a. AC Back / Restore AC Power / After Power Loss) to Power On → automatic boot after power is restored.
  • Keep the router + ONU on a separate small UPS so networking comes back immediately after the PC reboots.

Related article:
EA Power-Outage Risks and Protections: VPS, UPS, and Stop-Loss for Safe Automated Trading

When things don’t work: the right order

Fans constantly spinning, CPU stuck in the 80s°C, fills coming late—try, in order:
① Lower room temperature → ② Improve airflow (raise base/clean/cooling pad) → ③ Review power settings (disable sleep; set Max Processor 90–95%) → ④ Go wired Ethernet and/or reboot the router.
Additionally, reduce concurrent MT5 instances / limit open charts / run backtests and optimizations at different times. Check calmly, step by step.

“Specs & settings” targets (for beginners)

  • CPU: 2C/4T works; 4C/8T+ gives headroom for multiple accounts.
  • Memory: 16 GB is comfortable (with 8 GB, limit concurrency).
  • Storage: prefer NVMe SSD. Keep 15–20% free on C:.
  • Power plan: Balanced or Best power efficiency; if heat is tough, set Max processor 90–95%.
  • Security: add the MT5 folder to AV exclusions (avoid false positives and scan stalls).

Weekly maintenance (example)

  1. Windows Update (unpause → update → restart).
  2. Immediately verify MT5 auto-starts (Task Scheduler/Startup config).
  3. Clean logs/history (delete items older than ~2 weeks).
  4. Check load in Task Manager (ensure CPU/Memory/Disk aren’t in the danger zone).
  5. Check temps with Core Temp (watch for constant 80s°C).
  6. Reboot router if needed → verify MT5 ping.

Summary

・Compare home PC vs. VPS for cost and operations to decide what fits you.

Cooling first: keep room at 22–26°C (broadly 18–28°C), CPU <70–80°C.
Don’t let it stop: disable sleep, set lid to “Do nothing”, turn USB/NIC power saving off, and handle Windows Update manually with post-restart recovery checks.
Make it visible: watch load in Task Manager and temps in Core Temp. If CPU >70%, Mem >80%, Disk >80% constantly, reduce MT5/chart count.
Outage plan: risk varies by position management (are SL/TP server-registered?). Laptop: battery + UPS for router recommended; Desktop: UPS for tower & network gear.
Lock habit: use Win+L (MT5 keeps running). Require sign-in on resume to avoid mishaps.

FAQ

Q. What are the “limit thresholds” for CPU, memory, and disk?
A. CPU is risky if it stays over 70% for 10+ minutes or is pegged at 85–100%. Memory is tough over 80% used or with less than 2 GB free. Disk is congested if Active time stays 80–100% for several minutes. Reducing MT5 instances and charts helps.
Q. Can I keep MT5 running with a laptop lid closed?
A. Yes. Set “When I close the lid” to “Do nothing” and ensure sleep is disabled. For airflow, raise the base or use a cooling pad.
Q. I’m worried about Windows Update restarting automatically.
A. Set wide Active hours, enable restart notifications, and use Pause Updates as needed. Make it a weekly routine: manual updates → restart → confirm MT5 auto-start (Pro edition can add policy settings).
Q. Which is more beginner-friendly, home PC or VPS?
A. A home PC is fine to learn the mechanics. For true 24/7 stability, VPS usually wins—fewer disturbances (power/network/temperature/updates) and faster recovery.
Q. What should I do about power-outage risks?
A. Laptop: internal battery plus (if possible) a small UPS for the router/ONU. Desktop: a UPS for the tower; enable BIOS “Restore on AC Power Loss.” After power returns, use Task Scheduler or Startup to auto-launch MT5.
Q. What happens if C: free space is low?
A. Log writes and temp files can bottleneck; Disk Active time rises and everything slows. Always keep 15–20% free space.
Q. MT5 gets unstable when I run multiple instances.
A. Stagger launches by 5–10 seconds, isolate instances with /portable, add AV exclusions, reduce chart count, and lower history bars.

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