How to Reset MT4 Demo Account Balance

Struggling with a blown-up MT4 demo account? You’re not alone; over 90% of traders wipe out their demo balances while testing strategies. The good news is that resetting it takes less time than placing a trade.

A fresh demo account lets you:

Practice risk-free with a new starting balance.
Test new strategies without old losses skewing your results.
Simulate real market conditions accurately.

Yet, most traders waste hours trying to figure it out, or worse, switch brokers, thinking it’s the only fix. Spoiler: It’s not.

In this guide, you’ll learn three instant reset methods (even if your broker “locks” the option). No fluff, no broker bias, just the fastest ways to restart your trading journey.

Ready to hit reset? Let’s dive in.

Why Reset an MT4 Demo Account?

Resetting your MT4 demo account is not just about starting from scratch; it's a sound idea that can make life easier for traders of any skill level. Here's why you might want to consider hitting that reset button:

Practice New Trading Strategies Risk-Free

Markets change daily, and your trading has to change with them as well. When you are relaunching your demo account, you have a fresh start to try new methods without losing actual money. Maybe you want to try scalping, or perhaps you are interested in swing trading. Even if you are trading with automated systems, a fresh demo account gives you clean results that you can track right from the start.

Recover from Demolitions in Demo Mode

Blown up your demo account? Relax, we've all been there. Resetting enables you to overlook those mistakes and regain confidence without the weight of previous losses. This is particularly helpful when you're still learning how MT4 works or attempting to get better at risk management.

Test Brokers with Varying Starting Balances

When you reset your demo, you are also able to set how much virtual money you start with. This is great for mimicking actual trading conditions. If you're going to trade $1,000, have your demo set up the same. Spreading it big with $50,000? Do that instead. It's also a great way to compare different brokers and see how they handle things like spreads, leverage, and how quickly they execute your trades.

Deciding whether to open a live or demo account with top-tier MT4 broker Pepperstone

How to Reset MT4 Demo Account Balance (Step-by-Step)

Here is how to reset your MT4 demo account balance when you are ready to begin anew. There are a few different methods to accomplish this, depending on your broker and how they have set up things.

Method 1: Directly from the MT4 Platform

Most MetaTrader 4 installations allow you to create a new demo account directly within the platform. Here's how:

Step 1: Open MT4 and choose Tools > Options from the top menu.

Step 2: Go to the Server tab and click on Change Account.

Step 3: Choose New Demo Account and set your balance, leverage, and account type according to your desire.

Tip: Quick process if you do not want to stay within the platform and navigate through websites.

Method 2: From Broker's Website or Client Portal

Some brokers do not permit you to reset demo accounts directly from MT4 itself. You need to use their website instead:

Go to your broker website and log in to your account dashboard.
Find the demo account area (typically something like "Demo Accounts" or "Practice Trading").
Find a reset, recreate, or create a new demo account button or link.

Example Path:

Tip: Every broker's site is different. If you can't find the reset option, check their FAQ or just email their support staff.

Method 3: Contacting Broker Support

Sometimes you can't reset your account yourself and need to ask for help. Use their support system to write them an email or start a live chat. Let them know you'd like to reset your demo account and give them your account number. Notify them if you would like a particular balance or leverage setting. Manual resets are only provided by some brokers, especially if your demo account has been inactive for a while.

These processes should place your demo account in a new state where you can practice your trading further without the mental crutches of old trades affecting you

Common Problems & Solutions (FAQ Section)

Resetting your MT4 demo account is relatively simple most of the time, but sometimes things do not go exactly as planned. The following are the problems that traders face most often and what you can do about them.

Why can't I reset my MT4 demo account?

A few things might be causing this:

Demo account has timed out: Most of the brokers keep demo accounts live for only 30 to 90 days in case you're not using them. With some exceptions, certain brokers do not impose an expiration time on demo accounts. Once your account times out, you usually can't reset it anymore. You will have to create a totally new one instead.

Broker limitations: Not all brokers allow direct account resetting through MT4. If your broker does not allow it, you'll need to access their website or contact their support line.

Alternative: Creating a New Demo Account

If you can't reset your current MT4 demo account because of broker restrictions or because it's expired, the easiest solution is just to open a brand new demo account. Most MetaTrader 4 brokers let you have several demo accounts at once, and setting one up usually takes under a minute.

How to Create a New Demo Account on MT4:

Open your MT4 platform.
Go to File > Open an Account.
Pick your broker's demo server from the list.
Select "New demo account" and enter your preferred balance, leverage, and personal information.
Click "Finish" you'll get your new login details right away.

This approach gives you a clean slate where you can set your own balance, leverage, and currency options, great for trying out new strategies or matching your actual trading setup.

Best Practices for Demo Trading

A demo account is not practice space alone, it's where you build real skills, refine your concepts, and get used to things before risking actual money. Here's how you can make the most of your MT4 demo account:

Use Demo Accounts to Test Strategies Before Going Live

The most wonderful thing about demo accounts is you can try various strategies without losing money. You can experiment with interpreting price charts, test out technical indicators, or run automated trading systems without losing a cent. Demo trading allows you to experience your ideas in real market conditions.

Tip: Track how you're doing over weeks and months. Only switch to live trading when your strategy works great under different market conditions.

Reset Every Now and Then to Simulate Diversified Market Conditions

Markets are always changing, what works incredibly well today can completely fall apart next month. Resetting with your demo account from time to time ensures that:

Test how your strategy does in both trending and sideways markets
Practice across different account sizes and risk levels
Learn the art of recovering from losing sequences and returning stronger

View our guide for reloading your MT4 demo account should you require help at getting started once more.

Take Demo Trading Seriously As If It Was Real Trading

The more serious you are with your demo account, the more in reality you will learn:

Use an account balance that is representative of what you would really trade with
Stick with your trading plan and risk guidelines
Write down your trades, what you did, why you did it, and what resulted

This process conditions you for the real thing, mentally and emotionally. Demo trading is where you get your break in, use these routines and you'll be much better off when you do trade with money.

Final Thought

Resetting your MT4 demo account balance is pretty simple once you know your options. You can do it through the MT4 platform itself, your broker's website, or just reach out to their support team. The process works well for most traders who want to practice and improve their skills.

If you can't reset your current account, opening a new demo account works just as well. Sometimes starting over gives you a cleaner slate to track how you're doing.

Here's the thing though, your demo account only helps if you actually take it seriously.

Use it to test real strategies.
Stick to a realistic trading plan.
Reset or restart periodically to stay sharp.

When you treat demo trading like it matters, you develop the right habits and mindset. This builds the confidence and skills you need when you start trading with actual money.