What is the MT4/MT5 log and how do I look at it?

Metatrader saves information about how it runs itself and the programs it runs in it in so-called logs. If you have a problem with a program it is best to start looking for the cause by checking what entries have appeared in the log. You can view the logs:

  • for MT4 - the Strategies and Journal tabs in the Terminal window - by default located at the very bottom of the MT4 window
  • for MT5 - the Experts and Log tabs in the Terminal window - by default located at the very bottom of the MT5 window
  • for Trading Simulator (Strategy Tester) - Log tab in the Tester window

More relevant to the operation of the programmes is the information stored in the Strategies / Experts logs. The logs are also saved in files on disk as mentioned in the in this entry.