MT5 Server Connection Issues: Causes & Fixes (A Prop Trader’s Survival Guide)

Nothing is more annoying than launching MT5, prepared to handle a live funded account or smash your prop firm challenge, only to be met with the dreaded No Connection notice.

You make clicks. You start over. You check your Wi-Fi as though it will magically repair itself with a little willpower. Nothing has changed.

Problems with MT5 server connections can truly ruin your day, regardless of how long you've been a prop trader. The good news? Once you know what's causing the issue, most of these issues can be fixed very easily.

Let's discuss what actually happens when MT5 fails to connect, why prop firm traders in particular care so much about it, and how to resolve it. 

Why MT5 Connection Matters A Lot in Prop Trading

Prop companies don't interfere with their regulations. The list is endless and includes drawdown limitations, time restraints, and trading hour restrictions. You risk losing your funded account if your platform stops or disconnects during a live trade or just before news is released. Or your compensation.

Prop trading is demonstrating your reliability with someone else's money, as opposed to retail trading, when you are primarily risking your own wealth. And the incorrect timing of MT5's down state? It simply doesn't look good. 

Common Causes of MT5 Server Connection Issues

Poor or Unstable Internet Connection

This one’s the most obvious culprit. MT5 trading platform needs a stable and consistent internet connection to maintain its link to the server. A brief hiccup in your network even if your browser still works can be enough to cause MT5 to drop out.

What to look for:

• High ping or packet loss
   
• Wi-Fi interruptions
   
• Weak signal (especially if you’re trading on mobile)
   

Quick Fix:
Try switching to a wired Ethernet connection if you're on Wi-Fi. Or restart your router and modem. If that doesn’t help then use your phone’s hotspot as a temporary backup.

Incorrect Server Selection

Sometimes, when you log into MT5, you might accidentally pick the wrong server. Each prop firm and sometimes each challenge or phase might use a different server name—even if the broker appears to be the same.

What to look for:

• You're entering your correct login and password, but it says “Invalid Account” or “No Connection.”

Quick Fix:
Go to File > Login to Trade Account, and make sure you’re selecting the exact server your prop firm gave you. If you're not sure then check your welcome email or dashboard.

Outdated MT5 Version

MT5 is regularly updated. If you’re using an older version then it might not sync correctly with the broker’s server.

What to look for:

• You haven't updated your MT5 in a while
• Everything used to work, but now suddenly doesn’t
   

Quick Fix:
Just reinstall MT5 or run the automatic update when prompted. This ensures compatibility with your broker’s server settings.

Firewall or Antivirus Blocking the Connection

Security software on your computer can sometimes block MT5 from accessing the internet—especially if you’ve recently installed a new antivirus or made changes to your firewall settings.

What to look for:

• MT5 won’t connect but everything else online works just fine
   

Quick Fix:
Add MT5 as an exception in your antivirus and firewall settings. If you're unsure how to do this, a quick YouTube tutorial based on your antivirus program should help. Or disable the software temporarily to test if it's the root cause.

Broker’s Server Is Down

Believe it or not, sometimes the issue isn’t you. Brokers and prop firms do maintenance or sometimes experience server outages.

What to look for:

• You’ve tried everything and nothing works
   
• Other traders in your prop firm community are reporting similar problems
   

Quick Fix:
Check the broker’s website or reach out to support. Some prop firms also post real-time server status updates on Discord or Telegram channels.

VPN or Proxy Interference

If you’re using a VPN to access MT5—maybe to bypass restrictions or to trade from a different location—it could mess with your server access.

What to look for:

• Everything works fine when the VPN is off
   

Quick Fix:
Try connecting without the VPN or switch to a server closer to your broker's data center location.

The Fast Fix Checklist (Save This!)

Here’s a practical, no-fluff guide to what you should check if your MT5 isn’t connecting:

1. Check Your Internet

   • Switch to another network (mobile hotspot if needed)
   • Reboot your router

2. Verify Login & Server
    

   • Go to File > Login to Trade Account
      
   • Double-check the login credentials and server info from your prop firm
      

3. Restart MT5

   • Sometimes it just needs a reboot
   • If still broken, reinstall it
      

4. Temporarily Disable Firewall/Antivirus

   • If it connects after that, whitelist MT5 in your security settings
      

5. Try the Web Version or Mobile App

   • If MT5 desktop fails, see if mobile/web works—it’ll help isolate the issue
      

6. Contact Support

   • Most prop firms have live chat or email support
      
   • Ask if there’s any known server maintenance or outages