Summary: Your MT4 EA won‘t start because ‘Expert Advisors are disabled’. This guide shows three things to check: the Auto-Trading toolbar button, global EA settings, and chart-specific permissions.
Step 1: Look at the MT4 Toolbar
Find the ‘Auto-Trading’ button on the MT4 toolbar. It has a green play icon or a red ‘X’ depending on status. If you see a red ‘X’, EA trading is globally disabled. Screenshot: MT4 toolbar with Auto-Trading button circled in red.
Step 2: Click the Auto-Trading Button
Click the Auto-Trading button once. The red ‘X’ will change to a green play icon. This enables EA trading across all charts. Screenshot: Auto-Trading button turned green.
Step 3: Check Global EA Settings
Press Ctrl+O to open Options. Click the ‘Expert Advisors’ tab. Make sure ‘Allow automated trading’ is checked. Also uncheck ‘Disable automated trading when the account has been changed’ if you switch accounts often. Screenshot: Expert Advisors tab with Allow automated trading checked.
Step 4: Check Chart-Specific EA Setting
Right-click on your chart. Hover over ‘Expert Advisors’ in the menu. Make sure ‘Enable’ is checked (not grayed out). If it says ‘Disable’, click it to change. Screenshot: right-click menu showing Expert Advisors → Enable.
Step 5: Confirm EA Smiley Face
After enabling, look at the top right corner of the chart. A smiley face icon (😊) should appear. If you see a frowning face (☹️) or no icon, repeat steps 1-4. Screenshot: chart corner showing green smiley face.
Step 6: Re-attach Your EA
Drag your EA from the Navigator window back onto the chart. You should see a message in the ‘Experts’ tab saying ‘Expert Advisor loaded successfully’. Screenshot: Experts tab with success message.
Reference: MetaQuotes Help Desk – Enabling and Disabling Expert Advisors in MT4.