Adding a server in MetaTrader 5 means connecting to a broker's trading infrastructure so you can place trades and access market data

MetaTrader 5 (MT5) does not come with a default list of all available brokers. Instead, you add servers manually by entering your broker's connection details into the platform. This is a one-time setup that takes about five minutes and requires only the server address your broker provides — usually found in your account welcome email or on their website.

The process differs slightly depending on whether your broker is already listed in MT5's server directory or whether you need to enter custom details. Most regulated brokers appear in the directory, which makes the process automatic. If your broker does not appear, you will enter the server address manually.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Navigator panel in MT5, right-click on "Accounts," and select "Add Account" to see if your broker appears in the built-in directory.
  • If your broker is listed, select it from the directory and enter your login credentials; MT5 will connect automatically.
  • For brokers not in the directory, you will need the exact server address from your broker and must enter it manually in the login settings.
  • After adding a server, MT5 downloads historical price data in the background, which may take several minutes depending on your internet speed and the timeframes you use.
  • If the connection fails, check that your username and password are correct and that your broker's server is online before contacting support.

Finding your broker in the built-in server directory

When you open MT5 for the first time, the Navigator panel on the left side shows an "Accounts" section. Right-click on "Accounts" and select "Add Account." A window opens showing hundreds of brokers organized alphabetically. Scroll to find your broker's name or use the search box at the top to type it in.

If your broker appears in the list, click on it once to highlight it, then click "Next." MT5 will ask you to enter your login ID (also called account number) and password. These are the credentials your broker sent you when you opened your account — not your email address or website login. Enter them exactly as your broker provided them, including any leading zeros, then click "Finish."

MT5 will attempt to connect to the server. If the connection succeeds, your account appears under the Accounts section in the Navigator, and you can begin trading. If it fails, double-check that you entered your credentials correctly and that your account is active with the broker.

Manually adding a server not in the directory

Some brokers, particularly smaller or newer firms, do not appear in MT5's built-in directory. In this case, you need the server address from your broker. Check your welcome email, account confirmation documents, or the broker's website — it is usually listed under "Trading Platforms" or "MT5 Connection Details." The server address looks like "BrokerName-Live" or "BrokerName.com-Server1."

Open MT5 and go to File menu at the top, then select "Login." A login window appears. In the "Server" field, you will see a dropdown menu. Click the dropdown arrow and select "Add a New Broker." A text field appears where you can type the server address your broker provided. Enter it exactly as your broker listed it — capitalization and spacing matter.

Once you have entered the server address, type your login ID and password in the fields below, then click "Login." MT5 will attempt to connect to the custom server. If the connection works, your account is added to the Accounts section. If it fails, contact your broker to confirm the server address is correct and that your account is active.

What happens after you add a server

After MT5 connects to your broker's server, the platform begins downloading historical price data for the currency pairs, stocks, or commodities available through that broker. This process runs in the background and can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on how many charts you open and how far back in history you want data to go.

While data is downloading, you can still place trades, but some features like backtesting or viewing older price bars may not work until the read completes. You can check the read progress by looking at the "Market Watch" panel — if you see a small clock icon next to a symbol, data is still being retrieved for that instrument.

Once the server is added, MT5 remembers it. The next time you open the platform, it will automatically attempt to reconnect to that server using the credentials you entered. If your internet connection drops, MT5 will try to reconnect in the background.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If MT5 shows "Connection refused" or "Invalid account" when you try to log in, the most common cause is an incorrect login ID or password. Check your broker's welcome email and re-enter your credentials character by character. Some brokers use a numeric account number as the login ID, not your email address — make sure you are using the right field.

If you are certain your credentials are correct, the broker's server may be temporarily offline or under maintenance. Most brokers perform maintenance during weekends or after market hours. Wait a few minutes and try again. If the problem persists, contact your broker's support team with the exact error message MT5 displays.

If you added a custom server and the connection still fails, ask your broker to confirm the server address is correct. Some brokers have multiple servers for different account types (live, demo, or practice accounts), and you need to use the one that matches your account.

Adding multiple servers for different brokers

MT5 allows you to add as many broker servers as you want. Each appears as a separate account in the Navigator panel. To add a second broker, repeat the process: right-click on "Accounts," select "Add Account," find the new broker in the directory or enter the server address manually, and log in with that broker's credentials.

Having multiple accounts in MT5 is useful if you trade with different brokers or maintain both a live and demo account. You can switch between them by clicking on the account name in the Navigator, and each one maintains its own price data, order history, and settings.

Demo accounts and practice servers

Many brokers offer demo accounts that let you practice trading with virtual money on the same server as live accounts. When you add a demo account, you use the same server address as a live account but log in with different credentials — your broker provides separate login details for demo accounts.

Demo accounts are useful for learning MT5's interface, testing trading strategies, or checking that your broker's platform works on your device before depositing real money. The price data and order execution are identical to live accounts, so the experience is realistic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the login ID and the account number?

The login ID is what you enter into MT5 to connect to your broker's server. The account number is an identifier your broker assigns to your account. For most brokers, these are the same number, but some brokers use different numbers for each. Check your welcome email to see which one your broker calls the "MT5 login" or "trading account number."

Can I use the same login credentials on multiple devices?

Yes. You can log into the same broker account on as many computers, tablets, or phones as you want, as long as you use the correct server address and login credentials. However, some brokers limit the number of simultaneous connections from different devices, so check your broker's terms if you plan to trade on multiple devices at once.

Why does MT5 say "no connection" even though my internet is working?

This usually means the broker's server is offline, your firewall is blocking MT5, or the server address is incorrect. First, check that you can visit your broker's website in a web browser — if you cannot, your internet or the broker's server is the problem. If the website loads, your firewall may be blocking MT5. Try temporarily disabling your firewall or antivirus software and logging in again.

Do I need to add a server for a demo account separately?

No. Demo and live accounts for the same broker use the same server address. You add the server once, then log in with either your live or demo credentials depending on which account you want to use. Some brokers provide a separate demo server, but this is rare — your broker will tell you if you need a different address.

What if my broker is not in the MT5 directory?

Contact your broker and ask for the MT5 server address. They will provide it in a format like "BrokerName-Live" or a numeric IP address. Use the "Add a New Broker" option in the login window to enter it manually. If your broker does not provide an MT5 server address, they may not support MetaTrader 5 — ask them which platforms they do support.