One of the errors you may encounter when using expert advisors is Error 4112 (ERR_TRADE_EXPERT_DISABLED_BY_SERVER) — Automated trading by Expert Advisors/Scripts disabled by trade server. While it is probably one of the less frequently encountered errors, stumbling on it can still be frustrating. Especially if you do not know what it does mean and how to deal with it.
Here is a complain from a trader on the official MetaTrader forum about the Error 4112 which shows a screenshot of the error message in the MetaTrader 4 terminal:
What is Error 4112 — Automated trading by Expert Advisors/Scripts disabled by trade server?
Error 4112 (Automated trading by Expert Advisors/Scripts disabled by trade server) means that automated trading is disabled by your broker. There can be several reasons for why it is happening, and the way to fix the error differs slightly depending on the specific reason.
Reasons and solutions
Broker does not allow automated trading
The simplest and the most obvious reason is that your broker just does not allow algorithmic trading. While such instances are exceedingly rare nowadays, you still may have a broker that does not allow you to automate your trading. The most likely reason for such a limitation is that you have joined a prop firm that wants its traders to come up with their own ideas and not just use existing ones.
Check if your broker allows automated trading before you start using EAs. If your broker is one of those rare few that do not, you do not have many options outside of simply changing your broker.
Broker requires to ask permission before using expert advisors
The more likely situation is that your broker does allow the usage of EAs, but you need to request permission before you will be able to do so.
Check the rules of your broker. If they say you need permission first, call your broker and ask to activate auto trading on your account.
Your account type does not allow usage of expert advisors
Your broker may have several account types. And allow automated trading on just some of them.
Check if your account type allows usage of EAs. If it does not, you may need to upgrade your account.
You are using a wrong symbol to trade
Sometimes, Error 4112 may occur when you are trying to trade specific symbols. This may happen because your broker allows you to automate trading only on some of the available symbols, not all of them. Also, the brokers' platform may have symbols that are not intended for trading and exist for some internal technical purposes only.
Check whether you can use EAs on symbols you want to trade (either by reading the broker's rules or calling the broker). If it turns out you are using wrong symbols, switch to the correct ones.
Solutions that probably will not help or are too complicated to use
If you try to search for information about Error 4112, you may stumble on advice that is not that helpful. Some of the proposed fixes will likely not help to solve Error 4112. And some might be just too much hassle to use.
Turn on automated trading on your platform
Arguably, the most frequently encountered solution for Error 4112 is to turn on automated trading both for your whole MetaTrader 4 platform as well as for the specific EA you want to use.
Needless to say, it is mandatory to enable automated trading on your platform before using any EA. The problem with this solution is that failure to do so will result in a different error. And that makes the solution useless for fixing Error 4112 specifically.
Use VPS
Some articles suggest using a VPS (Virtual Private Server) as a solution for Error 4112.
Indeed, it is strongly recommended to use a VPS if you want to rely on algo trading. But the reason why it is recommended is that otherwise, your EAs simply will not be able to work when your MetaTrader 4 application is closed and your PC is turned off. And an EA will not produce an error (including Error 4112) when it does not work. So, this solution just does not make sense.
Mask your automated trading as manual trading
Some people with advanced knowledge of the MQL4 coding language tried to write code that makes automated trading pretend to be manual trading.
While this fix might work, at least in theory, it seems to be just too complicated for most traders and excessive, considering much simpler solutions exist.
Conclusion
Error 4112 - Automated trading by Expert Advisors/Scripts disabled by trade server - means that your broker disabled automated trading. While it is quite a rare error, considering that refusing to allow expert advisors would make a broker unappealing to many traders and less competitive, there is still a chance for you to stumble on it.
If you encounter Error 4112, the simplest solution is to call your broker and check whether your account is able to trade using EAs. Depending on the answer, you may need to ask the broker to enable automated trading on your account, change the account type, or simply find a new broker.
