> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.innova-trading.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Install the Expert Advisor

> Complete guide to installing the InnovaTrading EA on MetaTrader

## Download the EA

First, download the correct file for your platform:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="MetaTrader 5" icon="chart-line" href="https://innova-trading.com/downloads/InnovaTrading_v5.ex5">
    **InnovaTrading\_v5.ex5**

    For MT5 terminals
  </Card>

  <Card title="MetaTrader 4" icon="chart-bar" href="https://innova-trading.com/downloads/InnovaTrading_MT4_v1.ex4">
    **InnovaTrading\_MT4\_v1.ex4**

    For MT4 terminals
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Find Your Data Folder

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="MetaTrader 5">
    1. Open MetaTrader 5
    2. Go to **File** → **Open Data Folder**
    3. Navigate to `MQL5/Experts/`
    4. Copy the `.ex5` file here

    ```
    [MT5 Data Folder]
    └── MQL5
        └── Experts
            └── InnovaTrading_v5.ex5  ← Place here
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="MetaTrader 4">
    1. Open MetaTrader 4
    2. Go to **File** → **Open Data Folder**
    3. Navigate to `MQL4/Experts/`
    4. Copy the `.ex4` file here

    ```
    [MT4 Data Folder]
    └── MQL4
        └── Experts
            └── InnovaTrading_MT4_v1.ex4  ← Place here
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Tip>
  After copying the file, you may need to **right-click** on "Expert Advisors" in the Navigator panel and select **Refresh** to see it.
</Tip>

***

## Step 2: Allow WebRequest

The EA needs permission to communicate with our servers.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Options">
    Go to **Tools** → **Options** (or press `Ctrl+O`)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Expert Advisors Tab">
    Click the **Expert Advisors** tab
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Required Options">
    Check these boxes:

    * ✅ **Allow algorithmic trading**
    * ✅ **Allow WebRequest for listed URL**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Our URL">
    Click **Add** and enter:

    ```
    https://cloud.innova-trading.com
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Click **OK** to save the settings
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Frame caption="WebRequest configuration in MT5">
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/innova-team/images/mt5-webrequest.png" alt="MT5 WebRequest settings" />
</Frame>

<Warning>
  If you skip this step, the EA will show **Error 4014** or **Error 4060** when trying to connect.
</Warning>

***

## Step 3: Attach EA to Chart

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open a Chart">
    Open any chart (symbol doesn't matter - the EA will report all available symbols)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find the EA">
    In the **Navigator** panel (Ctrl+N), expand **Expert Advisors** and find **InnovaTrading**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Drag to Chart">
    Drag the EA onto your chart, or double-click it
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Settings">
    A settings dialog will appear. Go to the **Inputs** tab.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 4: Configure Your Token

In the EA settings dialog, you'll see these inputs:

| Parameter        | Description                        | Default                            |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| `API_TOKEN`      | **Your personal token** (required) | *empty*                            |
| `BackendURL`     | Server URL                         | `https://cloud.innova-trading.com` |
| `UpdateInterval` | Data sync frequency (seconds)      | `1`                                |
| `SendHistory`    | Sync trade history                 | `true`                             |
| `HistoryDays`    | Days of history to send            | `30`                               |

<Steps>
  <Step title="Get Your Token">
    Go to [innova-trading.com/dashboard/connect](https://innova-trading.com/dashboard/connect) and generate a token if you haven't already.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste the Token">
    In the EA settings, paste your token into the `API_TOKEN` field.

    <Warning>
      The token is only shown **once** when generated. If you lost it, generate a new one.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Auto Trading">
    Make sure these are checked:

    * ✅ **Allow live trading** (in the "Common" tab)
    * ✅ **Allow DLL imports** (only if prompted)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click OK">
    The EA will start connecting immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 5: Verify Connection

### Check the EA Status

Look at the top-right corner of your chart. You should see a "smiley face" icon, indicating the EA is running.

<Frame caption="EA running successfully">
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/innova-team/images/ea-running.png" alt="EA running on chart" />
</Frame>

### Check the Experts Tab

Go to **View** → **Toolbox** → **Experts** tab (or press `Ctrl+T`).

You should see messages like:

```
InnovaTrading EA v5.0 initialized
Connecting to cloud.innova-trading.com...
Connected! Account: 12345678 (ICMarkets-Live)
Symbols loaded: 45
Sending account data...
Ready.
```

### Check Your Dashboard

Go to [innova-trading.com/dashboard/connect](https://innova-trading.com/dashboard/connect).

Your account should appear as **Connected** within a few seconds.

***

## Common Issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="EA shows 'Waiting...' forever">
    **Causes:**

    * Missing or invalid API token
    * WebRequest not enabled

    **Fix:** Double-click the EA on your chart, verify the token is correct, and check that WebRequest is enabled for `https://cloud.innova-trading.com`
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Error 4014 or Error 4060">
    **Cause:** WebRequest URL not allowed

    **Fix:** Go to Tools → Options → Expert Advisors and add:

    ```
    https://cloud.innova-trading.com
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Error 401 - Unauthorized">
    **Cause:** Invalid or expired API token

    **Fix:** Generate a new token from your [Connections page](https://innova-trading.com/dashboard/connect)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="EA icon shows 'X' instead of smiley face">
    **Cause:** Auto-trading is disabled

    **Fix:**

    1. Click the "AutoTrading" button in MT4/MT5 toolbar
    2. Or check "Allow live trading" in EA settings
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="No data appears on dashboard">
    **Cause:** Connection delay or token not linked

    **Fix:** Wait 5-10 seconds after attaching the EA. Check the Experts tab for any error messages.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

For more issues, see the [Troubleshooting Guide](/troubleshooting#ea-errors).

***

## VPS Installation

Running MT4/MT5 on a VPS? The installation is identical:

1. Connect to your VPS via Remote Desktop
2. Download the EA file directly on the VPS
3. Follow the same steps above

<Tip>
  **VPS Recommendation:** For 24/7 connectivity, use a VPS close to your broker's servers. Popular options include ForexVPS, BeeksFX, and commercial VPS providers.
</Tip>

***

## Multiple Terminals

You can run the EA on multiple MT4/MT5 terminals simultaneously:

* Each terminal needs its **own API token**
* Tokens automatically lock to their first account
* All accounts appear in your dashboard

See [Multi-Account Setup](/guides/multi-account) for details.

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Create Tokens" icon="key" href="/guides/create-token">
    Learn about token management
  </Card>

  <Card title="Multi-Account" icon="users" href="/guides/multi-account">
    Connect additional accounts
  </Card>
</CardGroup>