Quick Facts
MT4 Cache Clearing Steps
- Open the Account > Options
- Go to Graphics > Cache
- Select the items you want to clear from the dropdown menu
- Click Ok to clear the selected items
- Clear browser cache:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + R
- Press Ctrl + N to open a new browser window
- Use incognito mode
- Clear download history and cookies
- Go to Settings > Advanced
- Select Clear browsing data
- Choose the time range and select Clear data
- Select Files and Cookies to clear
- Restart your computer for extreme clearing
- Run a virus scan to prevent malware
How to Clear Cache in MT4/MT5: A Step-by-Step Guide
As a trader, I’ve been there – stuck with a sluggish MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platform, wondering why my charts are taking an eternity to load. The culprit? A bloated cache! Clearing the cache can work wonders for your trading experience, and in this article, I’ll walk you through the process with a personal, practical, and educational tone.
Why Clear the Cache?
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s quickly understand why clearing the cache is essential:
- Speed up your platform: A cluttered cache can slow down your MT4/MT5, making it frustrating to navigate and analyze charts.
- Free up space: Cache files take up disk space, and clearing them can reclaim valuable storage for your trading endeavors.
- Resolve errors: A corrupt cache can cause issues with your platform, such as freezing or unexpected crashes. Clearing the cache can help resolve these problems.
Identifying the Cache Location
To clear the cache, you need to know where to find it. The cache location varies depending on your operating system:
| Operating System | Cache Location |
|---|---|
| Windows | C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\MetaQuotes\Terminal\CommonFiles\Cache |
| macOS | /Users/YourUsername/Library/Application Support/MetaQuotes/Terminal/CommonFiles/Cache |
Replace “YourUsername” with your actual username.
Clearing the Cache in MT4/MT5
Now that you know where to find the cache, let’s clear it:
Method 1: Manual Cache Clearing
- Close MT4/MT5 to prevent any data loss or corruption.
- Navigate to the cache location using the paths mentioned above.
- Delete the entire “Cache” folder. Yes, you read that right – delete the entire folder!
- Restart MT4/MT5 to ensure the changes take effect.
Method 2: Using the Platform’s Built-in Cache Clearing Feature
- Open MT4/MT5 and navigate toFile > Settings (or press Ctrl + O on Windows or Command + O on macOS).
- In the Settings window, click on the Server tab.
- Look for the Clear cache button at the bottom of the window and click it.
- Confirm that you want to clear the cache by clicking Yes.
- Restart MT4/MT5 to apply the changes.
Tips and Variations
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind:
- Clearing cache won’t affect your trading history or account data. Your valuable trading data is stored securely on the broker’s servers, so you don’t need to worry about losing any important information.
- Regularly clear your cache to maintain a smooth trading experience. I recommend clearing the cache every 1-2 weeks, depending on your trading frequency.
- Use the ‘Compact Cache’ feature in MT4/MT5 to compress and optimize your cache, reducing its size and improving performance.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter any issues after clearing the cache, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Reinstall MT4/MT5: If you’ve deleted the cache folder and still experience problems, try reinstalling the platform.
- Check for updates: Ensure that your MT4/MT5 is up-to-date, as updates often resolve known issues.
- Reach out to your broker’s support: If none of the above steps resolve the problem, contact your broker’s support team for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How to Clear Cache in MT4/MT5
Here is an FAQ content section on “How to clear cache in MT4/MT5”:
Q: Why do I need to clear the cache in MT4/MT5?
Clearing the cache in MT4/MT5 can help resolve issues with data loading, chart display, and platform performance. It can also help remove outdated or corrupted data that may be affecting your trading experience.
Q: How do I clear the cache in MT4?
To clear the cache in MT4, follow these steps:
- Open MT4 and click on File in the top-left corner of the platform.
- Select Open Data Folder from the drop-down menu.
- Navigate to the Cache folder.
- Delete all the files in the Cache folder.
- Restart MT4 to apply the changes.
Q: How do I clear the cache in MT5?
To clear the cache in MT5, follow these steps:
- Open MT5 and click on File in the top-left corner of the platform.
- Select Open Data Folder from the drop-down menu.
- Navigate to the Cache folder.
- Delete all the files in the Cache folder.
- Restart MT5 to apply the changes.
Q: What files should I delete in the Cache folder?
Delete all the files in the Cache folder, including:
- .idx files
- .hdr files
- other temporary files
Q: Will clearing the cache affect my trading history or data?
No, clearing the cache will not affect your trading history or data. It will only remove temporary files that are used for display and performance purposes.
Q: How often should I clear the cache in MT4/MT5?
It’s recommended to clear the cache periodically, such as every 1-2 weeks, or as needed if you experience issues with the platform. You can also clear the cache after installing a new indicator or Expert Advisor.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.
Why Clearing Cache Matters: As a trader, I’ve often noticed that my MT4/MT5 platform can get bogged down with unnecessary data, causing slow loading times, delayed chart updates, and even glitches. This can significantly impact my trading performance and profitability. That’s why I make it a point to regularly clear my cache to ensure a smoother and more efficient trading experience.
How to Clear Cache in MT4:
- Launch MT4 and click on “File” > “Preferences” in the top menu bar.
- Select the “Reset” tab in the Preferences window.
- Check the box next to “Reset cache” to clear all cached data.
- Click “OK” to confirm the reset.
How to Clear Cache in MT5:
- Launch MT5 and click on “File” > “Settings” in the top menu bar.
- Select the “Expert Advisors” tab in the Settings window.
- Click on the “Reinit” button to clear all cached data.
- Confirm the reset by clicking “OK” in the pop-up dialog box.
Benefits of Clearing Cache:
- Faster chart updates: I no longer experience slow loading times, and my charts update quickly and smoothly.
- Reduced lag: The delay between executing trades and seeing the results is significantly reduced, allowing me to make more informed trading decisions.
- Improved stability: My platform is less prone to crashing or freezing, ensuring I can focus on trading without interruptions.
- Increased profits: By reducing the impact of lag and delays, I’m able to react faster to market fluctuations and make more profitable trades.
Conclusion: Clearing your cache in MT4/MT5 may seem like a minor task, but it can have a significant impact on your trading abilities and profits. By incorporating this simple step into your regular trading routine, you can improve your overall platform performance, reduce stress, and increase your chances of success in the markets.

