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MetaTrader error codes / MT5 trade return codes

MT5 error 10031: No connection with the trade server (TRADE_RETCODE_CONNECTION)

The terminal lost its link to the trade server around the time of the request. The order may have executed; check before any retry.

10031TRADE_RETCODE_CONNECTION
Check firstSafe to retry?
MaybeCould it have executed?

What it means

You see this code in the retcode of a trade result, from OrderSend() in MQL5 or order_send() in Python.

10031 says the terminal couldn't complete the exchange with the broker's server. The important part is what it doesn't say: whether the request got there first.

If the link dropped after the request left, the broker may have filled it. Sending the same order again can open a second position.

Common causes

  • A network drop between the terminal and the broker.
  • The broker's server restarting or failing over.
  • The terminal switching to another access point.
  • A request sent during a weekend or maintenance window.

How to fix it

  • Stop and look before resending. Check positions, pending orders and recent deals for your magic number and comment.
  • Only if there is no trace of the request, decide whether to send it again.
  • Give every order a unique comment or magic number so it can be found later.

Example in Python:

import MetaTrader5 as mt5
from datetime import datetime, timedelta

TAG = "job-4711"          # your own id for this order, also sent as the comment
MAGIC = 4711

def find_my_order(symbol):
    """Look for the effect of an order whose answer was unclear."""
    for p in mt5.positions_get(symbol=symbol) or ():
        if p.magic == MAGIC and p.comment == TAG:
            return "position", p.ticket
    for o in mt5.orders_get(symbol=symbol) or ():
        if o.magic == MAGIC and o.comment == TAG:
            return "pending order", o.ticket
    # Server time is not UTC, so search a wide window.
    now = datetime.now()
    deals = mt5.history_deals_get(now - timedelta(days=1), now + timedelta(days=1)) or ()
    for d in deals:
        if d.magic == MAGIC and d.comment == TAG:
            return "deal", d.ticket
    return None, None

r = mt5.order_send(request)
if r is not None and r.retcode == mt5.TRADE_RETCODE_CONNECTION:
    kind, ticket = find_my_order(request["symbol"])
    print("found" if kind else "nothing found yet", kind, ticket)

Is it safe to retry?

Not until you have checked. This is the code most likely to cause a duplicate position.

Could the order have executed?

Maybe. In practice it sometimes has.

How Tickwire handles it

Tickwire never sends new exposure again after 10031. It reads positions, orders and deals for the request and reports applied if it finds the effect, rejected if it can confirm nothing happened, or unknown.

An unknown comes back with numericCode -11. A retry with the same Idempotency-Key returns the same answer and sends nothing. See when the answer is unknown.

MT4's ambiguous codes (6, 128, 139, and 1 or 2 on a send) come back as 10031 too.

Related MT5 Python functions

All MetaTrader error codes

One API for MT4 and MT5

Clear trade outcomes, idempotent orders and an audit log. Read the error reference or the quickstart.

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