Sometimes, trading platforms may display the “Invalid account” error when traders want to use their accounts. In this article, we’ll discuss how to fix this problem and log in to your trading account. Let’s begin with when the “Invalid account” error is displayed.
Why is the Invalid Account error displayed?
The message “Invalid account” means that the trader cannot log in to their account. Unfortunately, MetaTrader does not specify the reason for the “Invalid account” error when this message is displayed. Here is a checklist of the possible things you can try to fix it.
Update the MetaTrader 5 application version that you use.
Check if your account is deactivated and restore it.
Verify that your trading login and password are correct.
Make sure you are connecting to the correct server.
Check the trading schedule, as the exchange may be closed.
You can fix most problems using the FBS mobile app or Trader Area at FBS.com.
Steps to solve the Invalid Account error
Below are the exact steps to fix the common causes of the “Invalid Account” error.
Enter your login information correctly
A common reason for the “Invalid Account” error in MetaTrader and other trading platforms is entering a wrong server name when you log in.
After you open a new trading account with FBS, you receive a confirmation by email. This email contains your account information, credentials, and server name. You need to enter these credentials when you log in to MetaTrader 5.
Use the FBS mobile app for trading
In the FBS mobile app, you don’t need to enter your trading account credentials to begin. You only log in to the app with your email address and password to access all your trading accounts. To switch to another account, tap the Real or Demo account label on the top of the screen.
In the FBS mobile app, you won’t need to enter your trading account credentials and server name separately. Download and install the app now to simplify your trading routine.
Verify the FBS server and account credentials
The most common cause of the “Invalid Account” error is entering incorrect login and password values. When you log in to MetaTrader (File — Login to Trade Account), carefully enter the correct account credentials and follow capitalization in the password.
You can find the credentials in the confirmation email or on your account card in the FBS Trader Area:
Go to FBS.com and log in to your Trader Area.
On the dashboard, select the account you want to use for trading from the drop-down list.
Click the blue Account info tab.
You will see the account details you need to log in to MetaTrader.
Click the blue icon next to the account number to copy it to the clipboard and paste it into MetaTrader.
Click the blue icon next to the server name to copy it to the clipboard and paste it into MetaTrader.
The password is not displayed in the Account info window, as we recommend storing it in a safe location after receiving an account registration confirmation. If you don’t remember your password, click Generate new to reset it.
For security purposes, updating your password before each trading session is recommended.
A more straightforward option to log in to your account and start trading on the desktop is to click the Trade button for your account. In this case, MetaTrader will open with the account details already filled in.
Restore a deactivated account
All real trading accounts at FBS are archived after 90 days of inactivity. This measure ensures the safety of FBS clients’ funds in their trading accounts.
Demo accounts are deactivated permanently if you do not use them for 90 days. When a demo account is deactivated, the balance is reset to zero.
How to restore your inactive trading account
Go to FBS.com and log in to your Trader Area.
On the Dashboard, open a drop-down list with your accounts. An inactivated account will have an ARCHIVED label.
Select a deactivated account and click the Restore button.
The account will be reactivated and you will be able to use it to log in to your trading platform.
Remember to log in to your Demo account once in a while to keep it active.
Update your trading platform
Any software may be unstable if you use an outdated version. This is particularly true for complex and regularly updated applications like trading platforms, including MetaTrader 5 for desktops.
An outdated desktop application will likely cause the “Invalid account” message. For MetaTrader 5 to work correctly, you need to update it when new updates are released. To always have an up-to-date version, install the latest updates whenever you receive an email about the updated version. You can also always download the latest version of MetaTrader 5 from the FBS website.
Check the trading schedule
Even experienced traders occasionally forget that the Forex market is not available 24/7. On Saturdays and Sundays, you will not have access to trading in MetaTrader or the FBS mobile app because Forex has some days off, including Saturdays and Sundays. Take some time to rest and come back on Monday!
Restart your trading platform
As with any other software tool, restarting the trading platform (such as MetaTrader) and/or your device may solve a problem. It may help if you find no other reason for the “Invalid Account” problem.
Contact support
Finally, if you have checked everything else and MetaTrader still displays the “Invalid account” message, the problem may be with the server. In this case, you may want to try again later or contact our support team at [email protected]. They are available 24/7 and will be happy to help you. It will likely take only a few minutes to solve your problem.