How to Optimize MT4: Steps for Performance Improvement

1. Introduction

MT4 (MetaTrader 4) is a highly popular trading platform used by many traders in FX and CFD trading. However, as you continue to use it, it may become sluggish. This issue can not only reduce trading efficiency but also lead to incorrect trading decisions.

This article provides practical information on “How to Speed Up MT4,” from identifying the causes to specific solutions. By reading this article, you can learn how to create a comfortable trading environment and achieve stress-free trading.

2. Causes of MT4 Slowness

Displaying Unnecessary Charts and Indicators

If you are displaying multiple charts and indicators in MT4, this can be a major cause of slow performance. In particular, some indicators have high computational loads and consume significant PC resources.

Excessive Accumulation of Historical Data

Historical data stores past price data and is used for technical analysis and backtesting. However, excessive accumulation can increase the burden on your PC’s memory and storage, slowing down MT4’s performance.

Enabling Voice Notifications and News Feed Features

MT4 has voice notification and news feed features, but these can surprisingly consume a lot of resources. In particular, if frequent notifications or real-time news feeds are enabled, it can lead to sluggish performance.

High Number of Currency Pairs Displayed in Quotes

The quotes display shows currently tradable currency pairs and commodities, but if there are too many items displayed, it can cause slow performance.

Insufficient Specs of PC or VPS

If the PC or VPS (Virtual Private Server) running MT4 has insufficient specs, the processing speed of MT4 will be limited. In particular, in environments where the CPU or memory is inadequate, performance can become significantly slower.

3. Specific Methods to Optimize MT4

Removing Unnecessary Charts and Indicators

Closing unnecessary charts and indicators can significantly improve the performance of MT4. You can delete them using the following steps.

1. Select the unnecessary chart and choose “Close” from the right-click menu.
2. To remove unused indicators, right-click on the chart, open the “Indicator List,” and delete the unnecessary indicators.

Optimizing Historical Data

You can adjust the amount of historical data saved in the MT4 settings. Please follow the steps below.

1. Select “Tools” → “Options” from the menu.
2. In the “Charts” tab, set the “Max bars in history” and “Max bars in chart.” The recommended values are 50,000 and 5,000, respectively.

Disabling Sound Notifications and News Feeds

Disabling sound notifications and news feed features can reduce the load:

1. To disable sound notifications, open “Tools” → “Options” → “Notifications” and uncheck the checkbox.
2. To stop news feeds, uncheck the news feed option in the “Server” tab of “Options.”

Optimizing the Number of Currency Pairs Displayed in the Market Watch

By displaying only the necessary currency pairs, you can reduce resource consumption. Please refer to the following steps:

1. Right-click on the Market Watch window.
2. Select “Market Watch Settings” and set unnecessary currency pairs to be hidden.

Reviewing the Specs of Your PC or VPS

Check the recommended specifications for smooth MT4 operation, and consider upgrading if they are insufficient. In particular, at least 8GB of RAM and a dual-core CPU with a speed of 2.0GHz or higher are recommended.

4. Problem Solving by Reinstalling MT4

If you have been using MT4 for a long time, the settings and data may accumulate too much, causing it to slow down. In such cases, reinstalling can restore it to its initial state and regain smooth operation. However, it is necessary to back up important data beforehand when performing a reinstallation.

Benefits of Reinstallation

• Resets operation and removes unnecessary settings and data.
• Fixes file corruption and errors in MT4.
• Allows for an update to the latest version.

Preparation for Reinstallation: Data Backup

Please back up the following data before reinstallation:

1. History Data:

• Open the MT4 “Data Folder” and copy the history folder.

1. Templates and Indicators:

• Save the files in the “templates” folder and the “MQL4” folder.

1. Trade History:

• If you need the trade history, save it in CSV format using the export function.

Steps for Reinstallation

1. Uninstall MT4:

• On Windows, remove it from “Control Panel” → “Uninstall a program.”
• On Mac, delete MT4 from the “Applications” folder.

1. Download the Latest Version:

• Download the latest MT4 from your broker’s official website.

1. Reinstall MT4:

• Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install.

1. Restore Backup Data:

• After reinstallation, open the “Data Folder” and copy and paste the backed-up data.

Points to Note After Reinstallation

• Immediately after installation, the initial settings will be applied, so customize as needed.
• Be careful not to include unnecessary items when adding indicators and templates.

5. Tips for Daily Maintenance

To keep MT4 running smoothly, regular maintenance is essential. Below are points to practice continuously.

Regular Cache Clearing

By deleting cache data, you can free up storage space and improve performance.

• Delete unnecessary files in the logs and history folders within the “Data Folder”.

Organizing Charts and Indicators

Regularly close and organize unnecessary charts and indicators.

• Make it a habit to delete charts and indicators that are not in use after trading is finished.

Reviewing Settings

Regularly check the “Options” menu to ensure that unnecessary features are not enabled.

• If voice notifications or news feeds are not needed, disable them.

Regular Reinstallation

Reinstalling every six months to a year can also be effective in keeping MT4 in a clean state.

6. Summary

This article explained in detail the causes of MT4 becoming sluggish and the solutions to address them. Below is a summary of the key points:

• The causes of MT4’s sluggish performance include unnecessary charts and indicators, accumulation of historical data, and insufficient PC specifications.
• By removing unnecessary settings and data, and reviewing PC specifications, you can restore smooth operation.
• By performing reinstallation and regular maintenance, you can keep MT4 running comfortably.

Implement these measures to achieve a more comfortable and efficient trading environment.