Is GTA Online not working on your Windows PC? You’re not alone.
Many players face issues where the game won’t load, gets stuck, or crashes when trying to play online.
If you’re stuck on an endless loading screen, seeing a black screen, or getting annoying errors, don’t worry, this guide will help you get back into the game.
Why Is GTA 5 Online Not Working?
Before jumping into fixes, let’s understand why this happens. Common reasons include:
- Internet connection problems,
- Rockstar’s servers being down, yes, it happens!
- Firewall or antivirus blocking the game,
- Outdated game files or drivers,
- Corrupted game data.
Now, let’s get into the solutions.
How to Fix GTA 5 Online Not Working?
Below, we’ll explore multiple fixes for the GTA Online not working issue to make it run smoothly again.
1. Check If Rockstar’s Servers Are Down
Image Credit – MDTechVideos
Sometimes, the problem isn’t on your end, it’s Rockstar’s servers.
- Go to Rockstar’s Support Status and check if there’s an ongoing outage.
- If there’s an outage, you’ll have to wait until they fix it.
2. Restart Your PC and Router
This simple fix works more often than you’d think.
- Close GTA 5 completely.
- Restart your PC.
- Power cycle your router.
- Try launching GTA Online again.
3. Run GTA 5 as Administrator
Image Credit – PepeLaugh
Sometimes, Windows blocks the game from connecting properly.
- Right-click the GTA 5 shortcut or the game’s .exe file.
- Go to Properties and select Compatibility.
- Check “Run this program as an administrator”.
- Click Apply, click OK and restart the game.
4. Verify Game Files
Image Credit – GuideRealm
Corrupted files can break GTA Online. Here’s how to check them:
On Steam:
- Open Steam > Library.
- Right-click GTA 5 > Properties > Local Files.
- Click “Verify Integrity of Game Files”.
- Wait for it to finish, then relaunch.
On Epic Games:
- Open the Epic Launcher > Library.
- Click the three dots next to GTA 5.
- Select “Verify” and wait.
5. Disable Firewall & Antivirus Temporarily
Image Credit – GuideRealm
Security software can block GTA Online from working.
For Windows Defender:
- Press Win + S, type “Firewall”, and open it.
- Click on: Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.
- Turn it off for both networks.
- Try launching GTA Online.
For Third-Party Antivirus:
- Open your antivirus like Norton, McAfee, etc.
- Look for a “Disable Protection” option you’ll find it usually in settings.
- Turn it off for a few minutes and test GTA Online.
Remember: Turn firewall/antivirus back on after testing!
6. Update Network Drivers
Image Credit – GuideRealm
Sometimes old drivers can cause connection problems.
- Press Win + X to got to Device Manager.
- Expand “Network adapters”.
- Right-click your adapter and choose to “Update driver”.
- Choose- Search automatically for drivers.
- Restart your PC after updating.
7. Change Your DNS to Google’s
Image Credit – ProgrammingKnowledge2
Sometimes, your default DNS is slow or unreliable. Switching to a public DNS like Google’s can improve connection stability.
- Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, and hit Enter.
- Right-click your active connection to go to Properties.
- Double-click “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”.
- Select “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter:
- Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
- Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4
- Click OK, restart your PC, and try GTA Online again.
8. Clear Rockstar’s Cache
Image Credit – Jerz Jess (Jersey Jess)
Corrupted cache files can cause issues.
- Close GTA 5 and the Rockstar Launcher.
- Press Win + R, type %localappdata%, and press Enter.
- Open the Rockstar Games folder.
- Delete the “Launcher” folder.
- Restart your PC and try launching the game again.
9. Reinstall Rockstar Social Club
If the launcher is broken, GTA Online won’t work.
- Uninstall Rockstar Games Launcher from Control Panel.
- Download the latest version from Rockstar’s website.
- Reinstall it and log back in.
10. Reinstall GTA 5 (Last Resort)
If nothing else works, a fresh install might be needed.
- Back up your saves if you care about progress.
- Uninstall GTA 5 from Steam or Epic Games.
- Reinstall and check if Online mode works now.
FAQs on GTA V Onine Not Working
1. How to restart GTA Online?
Here are some quick ways to restart GTA online:
Soft restart is best for minor issues.
- Pause game, go to Online and find New Session.
- Refreshes connection without closing game.
Full restart is needed for major problems.
- PC: Alt+F4 and relaunch the game.
- PS4/PS5: Close game and simply restart the game.
- Xbox: Quit the game and relaunch.
- Clear chache for glitches,
- PC: Delete Rockstar launcher cache.
- Consoles: Power cycle.
2. Can you restart the GTA Online tutorial?
No, you can’t manually restart the GTA Online tutorial after completing it.
Your options are:
- Create a new character. You need to resets progress to restart tutorial.
- Contact Rockstar Support that rarely resets accounts.
- Make a brand new account. This is straightforward option if you want to restart tutorial.
Final Thoughts
Remember, connection problems are often the main culprit, so always start by checking your internet and Rockstar’s servers.
If the issue persists, work through the solutions methodically. From simple restarts to more advanced fixes like DNS changes or reinstalls.
GTA 5 Online not working can be super frustrating, but these fixes should get you back in the game. If you’re still having trouble, contact Rockstar Support for help.
