⚙️ Tutorial Cluster

MT5 Deriv — Install & Run an Expert Advisor

By Dan Machado · 8 min read · Step-by-step

Deriv MT5 is MetaTrader 5 customised for Deriv assets — including synthetic indices unavailable on standard MT5. This tutorial walks through installing MT5, connecting your Deriv account, attaching an Expert Advisor, and configuring 24/7 operation.

🎯 What You’ll Have at the End

Deriv MT5 installed, connected to your Deriv account, an Expert Advisor attached to a live chart, Algo Trading enabled. Optionally: VPS configured for 24/7 operation. Total time: ~25 minutes.

Prerequisites

  • Deriv account (demo enough for setup) — open here
  • Windows 10+, macOS, or Linux (via Wine)
  • 2GB free disk space
  • Stable internet connection

Step 1: Create a Deriv MT5 Account

You need a separate MT5 sub-account within your main Deriv account:

1

Log into Deriv

Go to app.deriv.com → Trader’s Hub

2

Add MT5 Account

“CFDs” section → “MT5” → choose account type:
• Synthetic (recommended for V75, V100 etc.)
• Financial (forex, crypto, commodities)
• Demo (for testing)

3

Note Credentials

Deriv shows: Login ID (e.g. 12345678), Password, Server (e.g. DerivSVG-Server). Copy all three — needed for MT5.

Step 2: Download & Install MT5

4

Download from Deriv (Not MetaQuotes)

From Trader’s Hub → MT5 section → “Download” → choose:
• Windows: .exe installer
• macOS: .dmg (uses Wine internally)
• Linux: install via Wine (advanced)

5

Run Installer

Default install path is fine. Allow firewall when prompted. Installation takes 2-5 minutes.

⚠️ Important: Use Deriv’s MT5

Don’t download MT5 from MetaQuotes.net — you won’t be able to connect to Deriv’s server. Always download from inside your Deriv account.

Step 3: Login to Your Account

6

First Launch

Open MT5. “Open an Account” dialog appears.

7

Find Server

Search box: type Deriv. Select your exact server (e.g. DerivSVG-Server) → Next.

8

Enter Credentials

Login = your MT5 login ID (numeric)
Password = MT5 password from Deriv
Click “Finish”

9

Verify Connection

Bottom-right shows: “X kbit/s” = connected. If it says “No connection”, check credentials or server name. Account balance should show top-right.

Step 4: Open Synthetic Index Chart

10

Market Watch

View menu → Market Watch (Ctrl+M). Right-click → “Show All” — all available symbols appear.

11

Find V75

Scroll to “Volatility 75 Index” (or search). Right-click → “Chart Window”. Chart opens.

12

Set Timeframe

Top toolbar → choose H1 (1-hour) for typical strategies, or M5 (5-min) for scalping.

Step 5: Install Your Expert Advisor

If you built an EA from our MQL5 tutorial or downloaded one:

13

Locate MT5 Data Folder

File menu → “Open Data Folder”. Windows Explorer opens at: %APPDATA%\MetaQuotes\Terminal\[ID]\

14

Copy EA File

Navigate to MQL5\Experts\ folder. Paste your .mq5 (source) or .ex5 (compiled) file here.

15

Refresh Navigator

Back in MT5 → Navigator (Ctrl+N) → right-click “Expert Advisors” → Refresh. Your EA appears in the list.

Step 6: Attach EA to Chart

16

Drag EA onto Chart

From Navigator, drag your EA onto the V75 chart. Configuration dialog opens.

17

Common Tab

Check ✓ “Allow Algo Trading” (critical — without this EA cannot trade)

18

Inputs Tab

Adjust parameters: Risk_Percent=2, SL_Points=500, etc. Click OK.

19

Enable Global Algo Trading

Top toolbar → “Algo Trading” button. Should turn green and have smiley face top-right of chart.

Step 7: Verify EA Is Running

  1. Top-right of chart: smiley face 😀 = running, sad face 😞 = error
  2. “Experts” tab at bottom — should show “RSI EA initialised…”
  3. “Journal” tab — system logs
  4. “Trade” tab — open positions appear here when EA fires signals

🔧 Common Issues

Sad face on EA: Algo Trading not enabled. Top toolbar button + Common tab checkbox.
EA running, no trades: RSI hasn’t crossed threshold yet — wait. Or check Experts log.
“AutoTrading disabled”: turn on via top toolbar.
“Trade context busy”: close other EAs first.
“Insufficient margin”: stake too large or balance too small.

Step 8: VPS for 24/7 Operation

Your PC sleeping = EA stopped. Load shedding = EA stopped. For serious operation:

Best VPS Options for SA Traders

  • Vultr JHB: $5/mo (~R92) — JHB datacentre, lowest latency to Deriv
  • DigitalOcean Frankfurt: $6/mo (~R110)
  • Contabo: €5/mo (~R105) — generous specs

VPS Setup

  1. Sign up at vultr.com
  2. Deploy new server: Johannesburg, Windows Server 2022, 1GB RAM minimum
  3. Wait ~5 min for provisioning
  4. RDP from your PC: Start → “Remote Desktop Connection”
  5. Enter VPS IP + Administrator credentials
  6. Install MT5 on VPS (same process as Step 2)
  7. Attach EA (same as Step 6)
  8. Disconnect RDP — EA continues running

Now EA runs 24/7 regardless of your PC, load shedding, or weekend.

Step 9: Monitoring

Even on VPS, check daily:

  • RDP to VPS, verify smiley face still on chart
  • Check Experts log for errors
  • Check Trade tab for open positions
  • Verify account balance growth/loss tracks expectations
  • Set up Telegram/email alerts for critical events (advanced)

Going Live (Real Money)

After 30 days successful demo:

  1. Log into Deriv → switch MT5 account from Demo to Real
  2. KYC must be complete (passport/SA ID, proof of address)
  3. Deposit minimum $10 (~R185) for live MT5 account
  4. Get new MT5 credentials for Real account
  5. In MT5: File → Login to Trade Account → enter Real credentials
  6. Attach EA with Risk_Percent=1.0 (half of demo) first week
  7. Track real performance vs demo expectations
  8. If live = 70-85% of demo, ramp Risk_Percent to 2.0

🚀 Get Deriv MT5 ready (FSCA-licensed, free demo $10K):

Open Deriv Account

Related Reading

DM

Dan Machado

Founder IA Trader Pro · MT5 user since 2019

⚠️ Disclaimer: EA running ≠ guaranteed profit. Demo test 30 days minimum. Deriv is FSCA-authorised (FSP 50885). Contains affiliate links. Full disclaimer.
© 2026 IA Trader Pro · by Dan Machado