VPN dropping your MT4 connection, how to check for disconnects
The short answer
Suspect a VPN is dropping your MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5) connection? Run MT4 for the same time with the VPN off and on, and count the Journal lines. Or leave the VPN off MT4 and send only your trading app through a proxy.
A VPN that clashes with MT4 can drop you or lock you out.
You click Buy or Close as a fast candle moves. Instead of filling, MT4 or MT5 drops or refuses to log in because your VPN is on.
By the time you switch VPN servers or log back in, the price has moved. If nothing changes, the next busy session can lock you out again.
This page shows how to check whether the VPN is the cause, so you can trade without guessing.
A VPN moves every app at once, and MT4 drops with them.
A VPN usually sends everything your computer does through its own server. When you switch VPN servers or the VPN restarts, every app on the computer changes path at once. That includes MT4, so its connection to your broker breaks.
The VPN’s server may also sit far from your broker, or your broker may refuse connections from it. Either can show up as a drop or a failed login.
A side-by-side test shows whether the VPN is the cause.
Run both sessions on the same network, so the VPN is the only difference.
Run a side-by-side check in the MT4 Journal
- 01
Open the Journal tab
In MT4, open View → Terminal (or press Ctrl+T) and click the Journal tab. MT5 shows the same log in its Toolbox window.
- 02
Run a session with the VPN on
Leave MT4 connected for two or three hours with your VPN running as usual. Count every connection lost or login line in the Journal.
- 03
Run the same length of session with the VPN off
Turn the VPN off, keep MT4 on the same network, and watch the Journal for the same length of time.
- 04
Check whether a VPN and a proxy are both on
Open Tools → Options → Server and click Proxy…. If Enable proxy server is ticked while a VPN is also on, MT4’s data goes through both. Then you can’t tell which one causes a drop.
Each result tells you whether to switch off the VPN or look elsewhere.
- The drops stop when the VPN is off. The VPN is the cause. Leave it off while you trade, or exclude MT4 in your VPN’s split-tunnelling setting.
- MT4 refuses to log in only when the VPN is on. The VPN’s address may be blocked. Check your broker’s terms on VPNs and proxies. If your broker prohibits them, don’t use one.
- A VPN and MT4’s proxy setting were both on. Your data went through both. Test with one at a time, so you know which one changes the result.
- MT4 still drops with the VPN off. Check your Wi-Fi, your internet provider or your broker. Follow MT4 won’t connect or MT5 keeps disconnecting.
A trading proxy changes only your trading app, while a VPN changes the whole computer.
With Traders Proxy, you type four values into MT4 or MT5 under Tools → Options → Server → Proxy….
Only the trading app you set up uses Traders Proxy, and everything else stays on your normal internet. Why it matters, your plan’s data goes on trading, not on streaming or downloads. Traders Proxy or a VPN sets the two side by side.
Warning. Check your broker’s terms first
Traders Proxy is a trading proxy, and it doesn’t change what your broker allows. Your broker sees our server’s address, which other Traders Proxy customers share. If your broker prohibits proxies, don’t use one.
Traders Proxy helps near your broker, but it won’t make a VPN behave.
Here is what changes with us. Choose your broker’s city in your dashboard, and our server there makes the final connection to your broker.
If a packet drops on that broker leg, our server recovers it locally inside that city. Without us, your computer resends dropped data across the whole path.
When a server’s bandwidth is busy, connections to the ports trading platforms use are sent first.
If your device drops off, our server notices quickly and frees its place, so your platform can reconnect instead of hanging. Your device can reconnect straight away from the same network, up to your device limit.
It will not make a VPN behave, and it will not fix your Wi-Fi. We don’t promise lower ping. Distance sets the minimum.
You cannot set up a proxy while your platform is disconnected in a live trade. Paste the four values while the market is calm, before the next release.
Frequently asked questions
Should I run a VPN and Traders Proxy at the same time?
Test one at a time, not both. With both on, MT4’s traffic goes through the VPN and then our server. That makes it hard to tell which one causes a problem.
Can I keep my VPN for my browser and exclude MT4?
Many VPN apps have a split-tunnelling setting that lets you exclude specific Windows apps. Check your VPN provider’s help page for the steps.
Where do I enter a proxy inside MT4 without a VPN?
In the MT4 desktop terminal, open Tools → Options → Server, tick Enable proxy server and click Proxy…. Pick SOCKS5 or HTTP, never SOCKS4.
Does Traders Proxy send my whole computer through it, like a VPN?
No, only the trading app you set up uses Traders Proxy. We never record what is in your trading traffic, and we never decrypt it. If you want protection for the whole computer on public Wi-Fi, use a VPN.
Will my broker allow a VPN or a proxy?
Check your broker’s terms before you connect. If your broker prohibits proxies or VPNs, don’t use one on that account.
Field reports · Verified forum threads
Real forum reports, what our system does, and where it stops.
Every quote below links to the forum thread or vendor guide where it appeared. Underneath each quote, see which parts of our system work together on it and where our server stops.
A full-tunnel VPN conflicts with MetaTrader or drops
“Since 2 days, all my metatraders 4 (macos, ios and windows 11) stop to connect to trading accounts unless I deactivate my ExpressVPN. I have been working with MT4 + ExpressVPN seamlessly during 3 years and since 2 days it just does not work anymore.”
How local trading avoids it. Only the trading app you set up uses Traders Proxy. Everything else stays on your normal internet.
- Only the app you set up is routedPrimary
Where it stops. A system-wide or browser proxy routes more. If you keep a full VPN switched on as well, we haven't tested the two together.
A system-wide consumer VPN freezes or crashes cTrader Desktop
“I switching my VPN from "Automatic (Recommended)" to "Wireguard" and it seams freezing problem been fixed.”
How local trading avoids it. Only the trading app you set up uses Traders Proxy. Everything else stays on your normal internet.
- Only the app you set up is routedPrimary
- Built-in
HTTPproxy loginSupporting
Where it stops. It is not a VPN. A VPN or system-wide proxy running on top of it routes more apps, and cTrader on Windows accepts HTTP only.
Connecting Telegram when your network blocks direct access
“Russia is reported to be planning a full block of popular messaging app Telegram on April 1, 2026.”
What our system reduces. Telegram in one tap on every plan. Telegram’s own proxy type is included on the 2-device and 5-device plans.
- Telegram in one tapPrimary
Where it stops. Telegram in one tap on every plan, plus Telegram’s own proxy type on the 2-device and 5-device plans. A network that inspects traffic can still block it.
Workplace, library or other managed network lets the web through but not MetaTrader
“Enable proxy server — allow the use of a proxy server when connecting to the trade server. ... In HTTP mode, NTLM authentication is also supported”
What our system reduces. If a network blocks your platform's direct connection to your broker, our server can make that connection for you, as long as your network lets you reach our server.
- Built-in
SOCKS5loginPrimary - Own separate connection to your brokerPrimary
Where it stops. Many workplaces, libraries and campuses allow only web ports or block proxies altogether, and we can't tell in advance. Check your network's rules first, as using a proxy against an employer's policy is your call and risk. The Try plan is the way to test.