Adding a server in MT5 means connecting to a broker's trading platform so you can see live prices and place trades

MetaTrader 5 (MT5) does not come with a server connection built in — you choose which broker to trade through, and that broker provides the server address. When you add a server, you are telling MT5 where to send your orders and which price feeds to display. The process takes about two minutes and happens inside the MT5 application itself, not through a website.

Your broker gives you the server name when you open an account with them. You enter that name into MT5, and the platform connects to their system. If you already have an MT5 account with a broker, the server may already be added; if you are switching brokers or setting up MT5 for the first time, you will need to add it manually.

Key Takeaways

  • Your broker provides the server name — it usually looks like "BrokerName-Live" or "BrokerName-Demo" and appears in your account welcome email or on their website.
  • You add the server by opening MT5, clicking the menu icon, selecting "Add Account", entering the server name, and logging in with your broker credentials.
  • MT5 will not connect if you type the server name wrong, so copy it directly from your broker rather than typing it by hand.
  • If the server does not appear in the dropdown list, you can type it manually in the server field, and MT5 will search for it.

Where to find your broker's server name

Your broker sends the server name in the account confirmation email you receive after opening an account. Look for a line that says "Server" or "Trade Server" — it will be a single phrase like "ICMarkets-Demo" or "Pepperstone-Live". If you cannot find it in your email, log into your broker's website and look in the account settings or support section; most brokers list it under "Account Information" or "Connection Details".

The server name is different for demo accounts and live accounts. A demo account lets you trade with virtual money to practice; a live account uses real money. Your broker will give you separate server names for each. Make sure you are using the correct one for the account type you want to connect to.

Steps to add a server in MT5

Open MT5 on your computer. In the top-left corner, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines). From the dropdown, select "Add Account".

A window will open asking you to choose a broker. If your broker appears in the list, click on it. If it does not, scroll to the bottom and look for a field that says "Server" — click in that field and type your broker's server name exactly as your broker provided it. Then click "Next".

Enter your account number and password in the fields that appear. These are the login credentials your broker gave you when you opened the account, not your email password. Click "Finish". MT5 will connect to the server and load your account information. This usually takes 10 to 30 seconds.

Once connected, you will see your account balance, open positions, and live price charts. If MT5 shows an error message instead, the most common cause is a typo in the server name — go back and check that you entered it exactly as your broker provided it, including capital letters and hyphens.

What to do if your broker is not in the list

MT5 includes a list of popular brokers, but not every broker appears there. If you do not see your broker's name when you click "Add Account", you can still connect by entering the server name manually. Look for the "Server" field at the bottom of the broker selection window, type your broker's server name into it, and press Enter. MT5 will search for that server and add it to your list if it finds it.

If MT5 cannot find the server after you type it, double-check the spelling with your broker. Server names are case-sensitive and must match exactly — "BrokerName-Live" is different from "brokername-live". Copy the server name directly from your broker's website or email and paste it into MT5 rather than typing it by hand to avoid mistakes.

Switching between multiple servers or accounts

You can add more than one server to MT5 if you trade with multiple brokers or have both a demo and live account. Each server appears as a separate tab at the top of the MT5 window. Click the tab to switch between them, and MT5 will display the prices and account information for that server.

To add another server, click the menu icon again, select "Add Account", and follow the same steps with your second broker's server name and login details. You can remove a server by right-clicking its tab and selecting "Delete Account" — this does not close your account with the broker, it only disconnects MT5 from that server.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If MT5 shows "Invalid account" or "Connection refused" after you enter your credentials, the most likely cause is a wrong server name, account number, or password. Check all three against what your broker provided. Some brokers also require you to activate your account on their website before you can log in through MT5 — if you just opened the account, log into your broker's site first and look for an activation step.

If MT5 connects but shows no price data or says "No connection", your internet connection may be unstable, or the broker's server may be temporarily down. Try closing MT5 completely and reopening it. If the problem continues, contact your broker's support team — they can confirm whether the server is running and whether your account has any restrictions that would prevent it from connecting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to add a server if I download MT5 from my broker's website?

Not always. Some brokers offer a custom version of MT5 that comes with their server already configured. If you download MT5 directly from your broker's site rather than from MetaQuotes (the company that makes MT5), the server may already be set up. Open the application and check whether your account appears — if it does, the server is already added.

Can I use the same server for multiple MT5 accounts?

Yes. If you have more than one account with the same broker, you can add that broker's server once and then log in with different account numbers. Each login will show a different account's balance and positions, but they all connect through the same server.

What if I forget my broker's server name?

Log into your broker's website and look in the account settings, support section, or help documentation. Most brokers list the server name prominently. You can also contact your broker's support team and ask them to provide it — they will send it to you in seconds.

Does adding a server cost money?

No. Adding a server to MT5 is free. You only pay fees or spreads when you place actual trades through that server, not for connecting to it.