Thread: MT4 - What does the error message “Off Quotes” mean?

What does the error message “Off Quotes” mean?

The error message Off Quotes happens because of a technical issue or because an order is placed that is not supported by the MT4 platform.

Why does Off Quotes happen?

There are several reasons that the “Off Quotes” error message happens:

1. Off Quotes may be a technical issue.

Off Quotes happens because of a technical issue when you attempt to close a position that has already been closed on your read-only account. This is a display issue and the trade that is visible in the MT4 platform has actually been closed but never updated in MT4.

Complete the below steps to check if a technical issue is the reason for the Off Quotes error message:

a. Log into www.Myfxcm.com with your FXCM read-only login.

b. Click Account Statement to run a report.

c. Select the account number and select today’s date as the time period that you would like to view.

d. Compare the open trades in the MT4 platform to the read-only report.

i. If the trade that you are modifying in the MT4 platform does not appear as an open trade in the read-only report, then the trade has already been closed and should not appear in the MT4 platform. To have the trade removed, please contact FXCM by chat now or by email at info@fxcm.com so we can correct this display error.

ii. If the trade that you are modifying in the MT4 platform appears as an open trade in the read-only report, then continue in the trouble-shooting steps for a solution.

2. Off Quotes may be due to unsupported orders.

Off Quotes happens if an order is placed that is not supported by the MT4 platform.

The most common reasons are:

• Trying to partially close a position. For example, attempting to close 0.10 (10k) of a 20k position.

• Placing a micro lot trade. For example, attempting to place a 0.01 (1k) volume trade.

• Placing a trade that is not in increments of 0.10 (10k) volume. For example, attempting to place a 0.77 (77k) trade.

• Adding a stop or limit to a market order before the order executes. For example, setting an EA to place a 0.1 volume (10k) buy market order with a stop loss of 50 pips.

There are several solutions to avoid this error message:

• Close all open positions completely (no partial closes). All open positions on the MT4 platform must be closed completely. If you want to close part of a position in the future, open up multiple, smaller trades. For example if you trade 0.30 (30k) volume at a time and would prefer three different exit points, simply open up 0.10 (10k) volume three times. You can then set different stops and limits on all three trades.

• Place trades in multiples of 0.10 (10k) in volume. The minimum trade size is one lot (10k) or 0.1 on MT4. Please ensure that your trade size is in multiples of 0.10 in volume. For example, 1.20 (120k) is a correct trade size but 0.01 (1k) is not a correct trade size and will not be executed.

• Add stops or limits after trades are open. All stop or limit orders must be attached to open positions. If you are running EA’s, simply add the stop or limit orders after the trade is opened. If you need help modifying your EA, please contact FXCM by chat or by phone at our programming services team via email or phone: 1-212-897-7660, ext. 702139.

Are you still experiencing Off Quotes?

If you are still experiencing the Off Quotes error message and the above solutions do not resolve your issue, then click here to chat and we can help to solve the error message.

How do I avoid Off Quotes?

While FXCM continues to make improvements to our MT4 platform, Off Quotes may happen on the MT4 platform in the future due to MT4 technology limitations.

MT4 EA users can avoid Off Quotes if they code their EAs for Strategy Trader - FXCM's automated trading platform built for No Dealing Desk execution. Unlike the MT4 platform, no software bridge or Auto Account Syncs are used. This decreases the time it takes to execute trades and simplifies account management so that you can focus on finding trading opportunities.

Do you have an MT4 Expert Advisor you want coded for Strategy Trader?

Strategy Trader EAs (stEAs) allow you to automate your trading with Strategy Trader. Strategy Trader EAs (stEAs) are like MetaTrader EAs used on the MT4 platform.

If you have a commercial EA that you purchased or downloaded, then we can contact the EA provider to get the EA coded for Strategy Trader. Since we will need the EA details, click here to chat now and we will take care of the steps to get your strategy coded for Strategy Trader.

If you coded your own MT4 EA, then you can code your EA for Strategy Trader using the open source C# programming language, allowing you to code and debug in Microsoft Visual Studio.

Resources to help you code Strategy Trader EAs:

1. Forexcodesource.com – Provides hundreds of stEA coding examples, free indicators or stEAs, and resources to learn C# programming language. Visit Wiki.fxprogrammers.com
2. Strategy Trader Community Forums – View webinars and ask questions on how to code a Strategy trader EA. Visit the Strategy Trader Community Forums
3. FXCM’s Programming Team - Our team can code your stEAs for you or provide the tools you need to save time coding your EAs on your own. To request a quote, complete the following Quote Form.

What other options are there to get started with Strategy Trader EAs?

You have many options to get started with Strategy Trader EAs:

1. Pre-loaded Strategy Trader EAs – Strategy Trader comes with stEAs pre-loaded that you can begin using right away. This is the fastest way to try out a stEA.
2. Download a free stEA – Choose from 49 free stEAs at forexcodesource.com. To get started, simply download, upload and activate a free stEA! Download a free stEA Now.
3. Let FXCM create a stEA for you – Our team can take your trading ideas and turn them into Strategy Trader EAs (stEAs) that run on the Strategy Trader platform. To request a quote for your idea, complete the Quote Form.
4. Code your own stEA – If you know how to code in C#, then forexcodesource.com offers hundreds of coding examples and resources to code your strategy as a stEA. Learn more.

How do I change my MT4 account to trade with Strategy Trader?

Moving your MT4 account to Strategy Trader is easy! Please email admin@fxcm.com from your email address on file and request to have your MT4 account transferred to the Strategy Trader platform. Be sure to include the read-only account number and allow two business days to complete the transfer.

Please note: Hedging is not available on the Strategy Trader platform. Hedged positions will carry over to Strategy Trader during the transfer; however, all orders created after the transfer will function without hedging.

To learn more about the benefits of Strategy Trader, visit one of the links below:

FXCM LTD (UK) Strategy Trader Page l FXCM LLC (US) Strategy Trader Page

Do you have more MT4 questions? Click Here to Chat Now or click Post Reply and we will provide you with an answer!

in this article, you mention the minimum order size as being 0.1 (10k). However, hasn't this changed to 0.01 (1k) recently? Please update this forum page to reflect the new minimum order size.

Compare Forex Platforms | FXCM
and i think other pages including homepage also advertise 0.01 (1k) lot size capability in metatrader 4.


What I really came here to complain about is that I don't see how you guys manage so many off-quotes errors for market orders. Not limit orders or stop orders, market orders

Hi 4evermaat,

Thank you for your post!

You are absolutely correct. MT4 accepts microlots (0.01) now. I don't think this thread has been updated yet. Thank you for catching this!

Why are there so many Off Quotes?

As for the off-quotes errors, any off-quotes occurring now (especially on market orders) is most likely do to a maximum deviation setting that is too restrictive. If your max dev is too small, your order is more likely to get rejected and receive an off quotes message. By default, this is set to 20 which means 2.0 pips. If you can be filled within 2 pips of the price when you click OK, you will be filled with this setting. Otherwise, you will get rejected and see Off Quote. Make sure to check this setting. Let me know if changing this helps.

Thanks!

Rob

Originally Posted by 4evermaat

in this article, you mention the minimum order size as being 0.1 (10k). However, hasn't this changed to 0.01 (1k) recently? Please update this forum page to reflect the new minimum order size.

Compare Forex Platforms | FXCM
and i think other pages including homepage also advertise 0.01 (1k) lot size capability in metatrader 4.


What I really came here to complain about is that I don't see how you guys manage so many off-quotes errors for market orders. Not limit orders or stop orders, market orders

Originally Posted by Rob at FXCM

Hi 4evermaat,

Thank you for your post!

You are absolutely correct. MT4 accepts microlots (0.01) now. I don't think this thread has been updated yet. Thank you for catching this!

Why are there so many Off Quotes?

As for the off-quotes errors, any off-quotes occurring now (especially on market orders) is most likely do to a maximum deviation setting that is too restrictive. If your max dev is too small, your order is more likely to get rejected and receive an off quotes message. By default, this is set to 20 which means 2.0 pips. If you can be filled within 2 pips of the price when you click OK, you will be filled with this setting. Otherwise, you will get rejected and see Off Quote. Make sure to check this setting. Let me know if changing this helps.

Thanks!

Rob

The offquotes error is understandable. But the other errors: market is closed, cannot connect to server, invalid price; it is rare to see these types of errors on other mt4 platforms. I didn't even know an EA could send an order to the server if it was already closed :|

I am trading with an extremely reliable VPS service (100% uptime so far) in New York City, USA

separate question: what made FXCM go with an instant execution model instead of market execution?

Hi 4evermaat,

We wouldn't be able to identify why the errors were occurring until we take a look at this ourselves. Could you send your account details and any information you have about the errors to techsupport@fxcm.com? This is a situation more suitable for our level II team.

As for the instant execution vs. market execution, to my understanding instant execution allows sending stop and limit orders along with market/entry orders while market execution through MT4 would not allow this previously. There are a lot of EA's out there that operate in this manner so I think that was a big selling point, but please understand that I am speculating on the reasoning behind it. The other benefits include FXCM's No Dealing Desk Execution model, no 3rd-party bridge and lower latency between MT4 and FXCM's trade servers. Click here to learn more.

If you find that your email to tech support is not replied to in a timely manner (24-48 hours), please let me know at rob@fxcm.com and I will see if I can get this expedited.

Thanks!

Rob

Originally Posted by 4evermaat

The offquotes error is understandable. But the other errors: market is closed, cannot connect to server, invalid price; it is rare to see these types of errors on other mt4 platforms. I didn't even know an EA could send an order to the server if it was already closed :|

I am trading with an extremely reliable VPS service (100% uptime so far) in New York City, USA

separate question: what made FXCM go with an instant execution model instead of market execution?