Summary: MT5 Market Watch prices stuck? Learn to refresh symbols, add missing instruments, reset market watch, and fix data feed issues with this detailed troubleshooting guide.




Step 1: Identify the Market Watch Freeze Problem
Open MT5 and look at the Market Watch window (usually on the left). If prices show a dash “-” or the last update time is older than 2 minutes, the data feed is stuck. Screenshot: Market Watch window with dashed prices and outdated timestamp.
Step 2: Refresh All Symbols
Right-click inside the Market Watch window, then select “Show All”. This displays every symbol available from your broker. Then right-click again and choose “Hide All” followed by “Show All” once more. This forces a refresh. Screenshot: right-click context menu with Show All highlighted.
Step 3: Manually Add Required Symbols
Right-click Market Watch, choose “Symbols” (or press Ctrl+U). In the popup window, you will see a list of all tradable instruments. Click on any missing symbol and press “Show”. Then click OK. Screenshot: Symbols window with EURUSD selected and Show button.
Step 4: Reset Market Watch via Data Folder
Close MT5 completely. Open your MT5 data folder: Press Win+R, type %APPDATA%\MetaQuotes\Terminal\ and press Enter. Find your specific terminal folder (with random name), open it, then delete the file named “marketwatch.ini”. Screenshot: file explorer showing marketwatch.ini selected for deletion.
Step 5: Restart MT5 and Reconnect
Launch MT5 again. Go to File > Login to Trading Account, re-enter your credentials. The Market Watch will rebuild automatically. Prices should start updating within 10 seconds. Screenshot: login window with account number and password.
Step 6: Check Internet and Firewall
If prices still don’t update, check your internet connection. Temporarily disable Windows Firewall or add MT5 to allowed apps. Also try changing the broker server: click on the connection status bar at bottom right, then select a different server if available. Screenshot: bottom right server status menu showing alternative servers.
Step 7: Request Tick Data Manually
Open a new chart for any frozen symbol (File > New Chart). This sometimes forces the server to send fresh tick data to your Market Watch. Screenshot: New Chart dialog with EURUSD selected.
Step 8: Reinstall MT5 as Last Resort
Backup your Indicators and Experts folders from the data folder. Uninstall MT5 via Control Panel, download the latest installer from your broker, and reinstall. Then restore your custom files. Screenshot: Control Panel uninstall interface.
Reference: MetaQuotes Help Desk – Market Watch and Symbols / MQL5 Community Forum – Price freeze solutions.