# Troubleshooting

Use this page when BananaEA is attached but something is not behaving as expected. The setting names below use the labels users see in the Inputs tab, not internal variable names.

## EA Is Not Trading[​](#ea-is-not-trading "Direct link to EA Is Not Trading")

### Check The Basics First[​](#check-the-basics-first "Direct link to Check The Basics First")

1. Confirm MT4 **AutoTrading** is green.
2. Confirm the chart symbol and timeframe match the preset.
3. Confirm the market is open.
4. Check the MT4 **Experts** tab for the latest BananaEA message.
5. Load a tested preset before changing many inputs manually.

### Outside Trading Hours[​](#outside-trading-hours "Direct link to Outside Trading Hours")

Check these Inputs-tab labels:

* **Enable Trading Hours Control**
* **Enable Session 1**
* **Session 1 Start Hour**
* **Session 1 Start Minute**
* **Session 1 End Hour**
* **Session 1 End Minute**
* **Enable Session 2**
* **Session 2 Start Hour**
* **Session 2 Start Minute**
* **Session 2 End Hour**
* **Session 2 End Minute**

If **Enable Trading Hours Control** is on, new entries only happen inside enabled sessions. Existing trades continue to be managed.

### Too Many Filters[​](#too-many-filters "Direct link to Too Many Filters")

If signals are rare, review:

* **Enable Fast EMA Filter**
* **Enable Slow EMA Filter**
* **Enable Slowest EMA Filter**
* **Enable Moving Average Crossover Filter**
* **Use Daily Range Filter**
* **Use Session Movement Filter**
* **Use Open Price Filter**

When troubleshooting, change one filter group at a time.

## Lot Size Looks Wrong[​](#lot-size-looks-wrong "Direct link to Lot Size Looks Wrong")

Check the lot-sizing labels confirmed from source:

* **Lot Method**
* **Risk Per Trade (%, $, or lots based on method)**
* **Maximum Open Trades**
* **Allow Multiple Trades (Scaling In)** in legacy V4 builds
* **Scale-In Mode** in newer builds

For beginners:

```
Lot Method: % Risk

Risk Per Trade: 1.0

Maximum Open Trades: 1 or 2

Scaling: Off
```

If the lot size still looks wrong, check broker contract size, minimum lot, lot step, symbol digits, and tick value on a demo account.

## Orders Do Not Execute[​](#orders-do-not-execute "Direct link to Orders Do Not Execute")

Common causes:

* **Insufficient margin:** reduce risk or use a smaller position.
* **Spread too wide:** wait for normal spread.
* **Market closed:** wait for the broker session to open.
* **Maximum Open Trades reached:** close positions or raise the limit only after checking exposure.
* **Trading disabled by broker:** check the MT4 Journal and account permissions.

## Constant Stop-Loss Modifications[​](#constant-stop-loss-modifications "Direct link to Constant Stop-Loss Modifications")

If trailing stop updates too often, increase:

* **Minimum Movement to Trail (pips)**

If you do not need trailing on that set, use:

* **Trailing Stop Method: Disabled**

## Daily Drawdown Alerts[​](#daily-drawdown-alerts "Direct link to Daily Drawdown Alerts")

If BananaEA halts because of daily loss protection, review:

* **Enable Daily DD Control**
* **Max Daily Loss %**
* **Close All Trades on DD**
* **Alert: Daily Drawdown Warnings**

Do not raise drawdown limits just to continue trading after a bad session. Wait for the reset or review the preset on demo.

## MT4 Dashboard Or Buttons Look Wrong[​](#mt4-dashboard-or-buttons-look-wrong "Direct link to MT4 Dashboard Or Buttons Look Wrong")

This is usually a Windows High DPI scaling issue.

1. Close MT4.
2. Open the MT4 installation folder.
3. Right-click `terminal.exe`.
4. Choose **Properties**.
5. Open **Compatibility**.
6. Click **Change high DPI settings**.
7. Tick **Override high DPI scaling behaviour**.
8. Set **Scaling performed by** to **System**.
9. Click **OK**, **Apply**, then **OK**.
10. Re-open MT4 and attach BananaEA.

![Windows compatibility settings for MT4 terminal.exe showing the High DPI scaling override set to System](/img/banana-ea-mt4/mt4-scaling-compatibility-issue.png)

Set MT4 terminal.exe to use System scaling for High DPI compatibility.

## Backtest License Warning[​](#backtest-license-warning "Direct link to Backtest License Warning")

If Strategy Tester shows an invalid or expired backtest license:

1. Check `MQL4/Libraries`.
2. Confirm the current BananaEA backtest license file is installed.
3. Download the latest package from the customer portal if the file is old.
4. Restart MT4.

The documented V4 package may include a 6-month backtest license file. Always use the latest file from the portal rather than relying on an old copied package.

## Preset Files Not Loading[​](#preset-files-not-loading "Direct link to Preset Files Not Loading")

1. Confirm preset files are in `MQL4/Presets`.
2. Restart MT4 after copying files.
3. Open EA properties, then choose **Load** on the Inputs tab.
4. Select the matching `.set` file for your symbol and timeframe.

Preset filenames can change between releases. Use the latest customer portal download.

## Multiple Trades In The Same Direction[​](#multiple-trades-in-the-same-direction "Direct link to Multiple Trades In The Same Direction")

For legacy V4 builds, check:

* **Allow Multiple Trades (Scaling In)**
* **Maximum Open Trades**

For newer builds, check:

* **Scale-In Mode**
* **Maximum Open Trades**

To restrict exposure, turn scaling off and keep **Maximum Open Trades** low.

## Pending Orders Keep Getting Cancelled[​](#pending-orders-keep-getting-cancelled "Direct link to Pending Orders Keep Getting Cancelled")

Common causes:

* pending order expiry after a number of bars
* session-close pending order cancellation
* opposite signal cancellation
* an EMA invalidation rule in newer builds

Check the pending order settings in [Pending Orders](/banana-ea/mt4/docs/v4/complete-user-guide/settings-guide/pending-orders.md).

## Useful MT4 Error Codes[​](#useful-mt4-error-codes "Direct link to Useful MT4 Error Codes")

| Code | Meaning              | What to check                         |
| ---- | -------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| 130  | Invalid stops        | Broker minimum stop distance          |
| 131  | Invalid trade volume | Minimum/maximum lot size and lot step |
| 132  | Market closed        | Broker market hours                   |
| 133  | Trading disabled     | Account and symbol permissions        |
| 134  | Not enough money     | Margin and risk settings              |
| 136  | Off quotes           | Connection and price feed             |
| 138  | Requote              | Market speed and slippage             |

## Before Contacting Support[​](#before-contacting-support "Direct link to Before Contacting Support")

Gather:

* BananaEA version from the Experts tab
* MT4 build from **Help > About**
* broker name and account type
* chart symbol and timeframe
* preset file name
* screenshot of the chart
* screenshot of the Inputs tab
* relevant Experts or Journal messages

## Support[​](#support "Direct link to Support")

* [Latest Optimization Sets](https://my.itradeaims.net/latest-optimization-sets/)
* [Website](https://itradeaims.net)
* [Discord Community](https://discord.gg/DxXQ4HdnES)
* <info@itradeaims.net>