Summary: Your MT4 EA runs but the backtest shows ‘No orders’? This guide covers five typical reasons: AutoTrading button off, wrong symbol suffix, low modeling quality, missing date range, and EA conditions not met.
Step 1: Turn On AutoTrading in Strategy Tester
Open MT4 and press Ctrl+R to launch the Strategy Tester. Look at the toolbar inside the tester window. Make sure the ‘AutoTrading’ button (robot icon) is green and active. If it is red or crossed out, click it to enable. Screenshot: Strategy Tester toolbar with AutoTrading button highlighted in green.
Step 2: Check Symbol Name and Suffix
In the Strategy Tester, select the correct symbol your EA was designed for. Many brokers add suffixes like ‘EURUSDm’ or ‘EURUSD.‘. Your EA may not recognize the symbol if the suffix is missing. Type the exact symbol name as shown in Market Watch. Screenshot: Symbol dropdown in Strategy Tester showing ‘EURUSDm’ as an example.
Step 3: Set Modeling Mode to ‘Every Tick’
Click ‘Modeling’ dropdown in the tester. If set to ‘Open prices only’ or ‘Control points’, the EA may miss important tick data. Select ‘Every tick’ (or ‘Every tick based on real ticks’ if available). This ensures the EA receives all price changes. Screenshot: Modeling dropdown with ‘Every tick’ selected.
Step 4: Verify Date Range and Available Data
Check the ‘Use date’ checkbox and set a valid range. Make sure your historical data covers that period. To download missing data, press F2 to open History Center, select the symbol, and click ‘Download’. Screenshot: History Center with Download button highlighted.
Step 5: Enable ‘Visual Mode’ to Watch the Bar
Check the ‘Visual’ checkbox in the tester. Run the backtest again. Watch the chart moving. If the EA places no orders, observe if any indicator or price condition is never met (e.g., RSI never below 30). Screenshot: Visual mode running with EA on chart but no orders placed.
Step 6: Check EA Input Parameters and Time Filter
Some EAs have internal time filters (e.g., ‘TradeHourStart’, ‘TradeHourEnd’). If your backtest falls outside these hours, no trades will open. Also verify ‘MaxSpread’ and ‘MinDistance’ parameters. Screenshot: EA input parameters window showing time and spread filters.
Step 7: Run on a Different Symbol or Timeframe
The EA may require a specific timeframe (e.g., M5 only). Test on multiple symbols and timeframes. If it works elsewhere, the original symbol lacked necessary price movement or tick volume. Screenshot: Strategy Tester with H1 timeframe selected.
Reference: MetaQuotes Help Desk – Strategy Tester Troubleshooting.