If MT4 flashes "off quotes" the moment you try to trade, here's the short version: it means the platform couldn't fill your order at the price you asked for, because the broker treated that quote as invalid or stale. It's an execution rejection (shown as error 136), not a fault with your PC — and it's usually fixable in a minute.
You'll see something like this in the Journal tab (Terminal ▸ Journal) when an order is rejected for off quotes.
2026.06.04 09:21:03 '1048576': order buy 0.10 EURUSD at 1.07342 failed
2026.06.04 09:21:03 '1048576': off quotes
What "off quotes" means
MT4 sends your order to the broker at a specific price. If, by the time it arrives, the broker can't honour that price — because the market moved, liquidity dried up, or its pricing engine requoted — it rejects the order and MT4 reports "off quotes." Your trade simply doesn't open; nothing is lost except the opportunity.
What causes off quotes
- Fast markets — the seconds around high-impact news, when prices jump.
- Thin liquidity — out-of-hours sessions or illiquid instruments.
- An unstable feed — a laggy connection leaves you acting on stale prices.
- Broker requotes — a dealing-desk (market-maker) broker declining your price.
How to fix off quotes
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Allow a little price deviation
In the order window, set a maximum deviation (a few points) so MT4 accepts a small price change instead of rejecting the order outright.
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Avoid the most volatile moments
Off quotes spike around high-impact news and in thin, out-of-hours liquidity. Wait for the first seconds of a news release to pass before entering.
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Check your connection is stable
A laggy or dropping feed can leave you trading on stale prices. Confirm the connection indicator (bottom-right) shows live data rates, and reconnect if needed.
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If it keeps happening, look at your broker
Persistent off quotes on ordinary trades often point to dealing-desk requotes. A raw-spread or ECN-style broker with deeper liquidity requotes far less.
When the real fix is a better broker
Occasional off quotes around news are normal everywhere. But if you get them on ordinary trades, in normal market hours, that's a red flag about execution. Brokers that route to deep liquidity with raw-spread or ECN-style execution requote far less than dealing-desk brokers — it's one of the clearest reasons traders switch.
Tired of constant requotes?
IC Markets is built around raw-spread, scalping-friendly execution with deep liquidity — exactly the setup that minimises off quotes.
⚠ Trading forex and CFDs is high-risk and most retail traders lose money. This is not financial advice.
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Open a free demo with a raw-spread broker and place the same kinds of trades. If the off quotes disappear, you've found your answer. Read our IC Markets and Pepperstone reviews to compare. Other problems? Browse all MT4 error codes or the full MT4 not working guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'off quotes' mean in MT4?
'Off quotes' (error 136) means MT4 couldn't fill your order at the price you requested because the broker considered the quote invalid or out of date. It's an execution rejection, not a problem with your computer.
What causes off quotes?
Usually fast or thin markets (around news or outside main trading hours), an unstable price feed, or a market-maker broker issuing requotes. Trying to trade an illiquid instrument can also trigger it.
How do I fix off quotes in MT4?
Set a maximum price deviation in the order window, avoid trading in the first seconds of high-impact news, make sure your connection is stable, and trade liquid instruments in normal hours. If it persists on ordinary trades, the cause may be your broker's execution.
Does error 136 mean off quotes?
Yes. Error code 136 in MT4 is the 'off quotes' error — the server declined to provide a valid price for your order at that moment.
Is off quotes my broker's fault?
Sometimes. Occasional off quotes around news are normal. But frequent off quotes on routine trades can indicate a dealing-desk broker requoting you — switching to a raw-spread or ECN-style broker often resolves it.
Trading foreign exchange and contracts for difference (CFDs) carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Leverage can work against you as well as for you. You could lose some or all of your deposited funds; do not trade with money you cannot afford to lose. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Nothing on MT4Download.com is financial, investment, or trading advice. Consider your circumstances and seek independent advice if needed.