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GTA VI launch-day problems and fixes

If GTA VI won’t download or start on , check the PlayStation or Xbox status page first. If it shows an alert, PlayStation’s advice is to wait until the service is back. The fixes below come from PlayStation’s and Microsoft’s own support pages, so they are marked Strong evidence.

Release date
Official
UK release time
00:00 GMT Strong evidence
First check
Service status Strong evidence

Check the service status first

PlayStation’s advice
Check the PlayStation status page first. If it shows an alert, wait until the service is back, then try again.
Strong evidence
Sources and status

Strong evidence. Credible evidence supports this, but Rockstar has not confirmed it.

Applies to: PlayStation 5

Last checked:

On PlayStation 5

The download won’t start

  1. Open Downloads/Uploads in the control center, select the download, then select Pause and Resume.
  2. If that doesn’t work, select Cancel and Delete, then find the game in your Game Library and download it again.
  3. Check that the console has the latest system software: Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings.
  4. Check you have enough free space. The game’s minimum is under Game Library > the game > … (more) > View Product, and your free space is under Settings > Storage.
  5. Start the console in Safe Mode and select Clear Cache and Rebuild Database.

The download is stuck

Check the status page, then:

  1. Test your connection: Settings > Network > Connection Status > Test Internet Connection.
  2. Start the console in Safe Mode and select Clear Cache and Rebuild Database.

There is a padlock on the game

PlayStation says a padlock icon can mean a problem with the game’s license. To fix it:

  1. Make sure you are signed in to the account that bought the game, and check your transaction history to confirm the purchase went through.
  2. Turn on Console Sharing and Offline Play on your PS5.
  3. Restore the licenses for your account.
  4. Start the console in Safe Mode and select Clear Cache and Rebuild Database.

The game won’t start

  1. If the game is on USB extended storage, move it to the console’s internal storage.
  2. Restart the console: press the PS button, then select Power > Restart PS5.
  3. Restore your licenses.
  4. Delete the game and download it again, over a wired connection if you can.
  5. Check that the console has the latest system software.
  6. In Safe Mode, select Clear Cache and Rebuild Database.

Contacting PlayStation Support

If nothing works, contact PlayStation Support and include:

Download won’t start
5 steps, as listed above
Strong evidence
Sources and status

Strong evidence. Credible evidence supports this, but Rockstar has not confirmed it.

Applies to: PlayStation 5

Last checked:

  • PlayStation (Sony Interactive Entertainment) · Official support documentation · Supports this“Go to Downloads/Uploads in the control centre and select the download. Select Pause and Resume to restart.”
  • PlayStation (Sony Interactive Entertainment) · Official support documentation · Supports this“If you’re still having issues, select Cancel and Delete to delete the game from the download list. Find the game in your Game Library and try again.”
  • PlayStation (Sony Interactive Entertainment) · Official support documentation · Supports this“Check that your console has the latest system software installed. Go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings.”
  • PlayStation (Sony Interactive Entertainment) · Official support documentation · Supports this“Check you have enough storage space for your game. To find the required space for the game, go to your Game Library, select the game > … (more) > View Product. The minimum free space appears on the right of the screen. To see the available storage on your PS5 console, go to Settings > Storage.”
  • PlayStation (Sony Interactive Entertainment) · Official support documentation · Supports this“Turn on your console in Safe Mode and select Clear Cache and Rebuild Database to create a new database of all content.”
Download stuck
2 steps, as listed above
Strong evidence
Sources and status

Strong evidence. Credible evidence supports this, but Rockstar has not confirmed it.

Applies to: PlayStation 5

Last checked:

Padlock on the game
4 steps, as listed above
Strong evidence
Sources and status

Strong evidence. Credible evidence supports this, but Rockstar has not confirmed it.

Applies to: PlayStation 5

Last checked:

Game won’t start
6 steps, as listed above
Strong evidence
Sources and status

Strong evidence. Credible evidence supports this, but Rockstar has not confirmed it.

Applies to: PlayStation 5

Last checked:

What to tell PlayStation Support
4 details, as listed above
Strong evidence
Sources and status

Strong evidence. Credible evidence supports this, but Rockstar has not confirmed it.

Applies to: PlayStation 5

Last checked:

On Xbox Series X|S

When you can play
As soon as it is released in your region, usually shortly after midnight local time on the release date.
Strong evidence
Sources and status

Strong evidence. Credible evidence supports this, but Rockstar has not confirmed it.

Applies to: Xbox Series X|S

Last checked:

“You don’t own this game” message
The pre-order was canceled, or Microsoft could not take payment in time for launch. You will need to buy the game.
Strong evidence
Sources and status

Strong evidence. Credible evidence supports this, but Rockstar has not confirmed it.

Applies to: Xbox Series X|S

Last checked:

  • Microsoft (Xbox) · Official support documentation · Supports this“This means that you have either cancelled the pre-order for your game, or we were unable to bill your payment method in time for the game launch. You'll need to purchase the game.”
The game isn’t in My games & apps
Search for the game in the Microsoft Store and select Install. If your purchase went through, you won’t pay again. If you see a price instead of Install, don’t buy it: check your order history for a completed transaction and contact Xbox Support.
Strong evidence
Sources and status

Strong evidence. Credible evidence supports this, but Rockstar has not confirmed it.

Applies to: Xbox Series X|S

Last checked:

  • Microsoft (Xbox) · Official support documentation · Supports this“If the original purchase completed successfully, you'll be able to download the game, and you won't have to pay again.”
  • Microsoft (Xbox) · Official support documentation · Supports this“If you don't see the Install option, or if you see a price listed for the purchase, don't purchase the game, as this might result in you being charged again.”
  • Microsoft (Xbox) · Official support documentation · Supports this“If you see a completed transaction for the game but don't see the option to install it on your console, contact XBOX Support.”
A payment problem with your pre-order
Open your order history, find the pre-order and select Change how you pay. Otherwise Microsoft tries your payment method again before launch and cancels the pre-order if that fails.
Strong evidence
Sources and status

Strong evidence. Credible evidence supports this, but Rockstar has not confirmed it.

Applies to: Xbox Series X|S

Last checked:

The game won’t launch

  1. Sign in with the account that bought the game. You can check which one under Payment & billing > Order history in your Microsoft account.
  2. Reset the console’s operating system without deleting games: Profile & system > Settings > System > Console info > Reset console > Reset and keep my games & apps. Do not choose Reset and remove everything.
  3. Uninstall the game, restart the console, then reinstall it from My games & apps > See all > Full library > Owned games.
Game won’t launch
3 steps, as listed above
Strong evidence
Sources and status

Strong evidence. Credible evidence supports this, but Rockstar has not confirmed it.

Applies to: Xbox Series X|S

Last checked:

  • Microsoft (Xbox) · Official support documentation · Supports this“If you want to play a downloaded game on your XBOX console, the account that purchased the game should be the same account you're using to sign in to the XBOX service.”
  • Microsoft (Xbox) · Official support documentation · Supports this“On the Reset your console? screen, select Reset and keep my games & apps.”
  • Microsoft (Xbox) · Official support documentation · Supports this“It's possible that the installed game data is corrupted. To correct this, you need to uninstall and then reinstall the game.”
  • Microsoft (Xbox) · Official support documentation · Supports this“Make sure you don't select Reset and remove everything at this point.”

If nothing works, contact Xbox Support.

Other problems

These fixes come from the console makers’ general help pages, written before launch. After , we will add GTA VI–specific fixes only when we can verify them.

Sources for this page