AutoTrading disabled, EA or indicator not trading in MetaTrader 5

What is causing it

The AutoTrading button is off, or automated trading is blocked in options.

Why this happens

MetaTrader deliberately gates automated trading behind more than one switch, because code that can place orders on a live account is the most dangerous thing the platform can run. There is a terminal-wide permission in the options, a toolbar toggle that acts as a master switch you can hit instantly, and a per-program permission on each Expert Advisor. Any one of them being off is enough to stop trading, and the platform shows the same sad face on the chart in every case rather than telling you which switch is responsible.

The face itself is worth reading properly. A frowning face means the EA is loaded and running but is not permitted to trade, so its logic is executing and its calculations are happening while its orders are being blocked. That is different from an EA that is not attached at all, and it is why an EA can appear to be doing nothing for hours and then trade normally the moment you enable the toggle.

The fix, step by step

1. Click the AutoTrading button in the top toolbar so it turns green.
2. Open Tools, Options, Expert Advisors and tick "Allow Algo Trading".
3. On the EA, open its properties (F7) and confirm "Allow Algo Trading" is ticked.
4. Make sure the smiley face on the chart is smiling, not frowning.

How to confirm it is fixed

The face in the top right corner of the chart should be smiling. Confirm the AutoTrading button in the toolbar is showing as enabled, then open the Experts tab in the Toolbox: a permitted EA logs its initialisation there and will log its trade activity, whereas a blocked one logs an entry about trading not being allowed. The definitive proof is the EA opening or modifying a position when its conditions are next met.

Stopping it happening again

Treat the toolbar AutoTrading button as a switch you check every time you start the terminal, because it does not always survive a restart or a crash in the state you left it. If you run an EA on a VPS, check the face after any reboot. Leaving the terminal-wide permission enabled and using the toolbar toggle as your day-to-day control is the practical arrangement, since the toolbar button is the one you can reach instantly.