GTA Online “Files could not be downloaded” on PC: how to fix it
Quick answer
Files required to play GTA Online could not be downloaded from the Rockstar Games Service. Please return to Grand Theft Auto V and try again later.
Rockstar says this error means Rockstar Games Services can’t talk properly to your internet connection. Check Rockstar’s service status first. If the services are up, try Rockstar’s fixes below in order: restart your router, change your DNS servers, then briefly turn off your firewall or antivirus.
Rockstar’s fixes, in order
1. Check your connection and Rockstar’s services
Make sure your internet works, then look at the Rockstar Games Service Status page. If it shows an outage or maintenance, wait until it is over.
2. Restart your router
Unplug the router, leave it for about 10 minutes, plug it back in, then start the game again.
3. Change your DNS servers (Windows)
Note your current settings first, so you can change them back later if you want to.
- Open Settings, then Network and Internet.
- Under Advanced network settings, click Change adapter options.
- Right-click your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection and select Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), check its box and click Properties.
- Select Use the following DNS server and enter 8.8.8.8 (preferred) and 8.8.4.4 (alternate).
- Select Validate settings upon exit and click OK.
- Do the same for Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) with 2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844.
4. Briefly turn off your firewall or antivirus
Rockstar links to Microsoft’s instructions for Windows Defender Antivirus and Windows Defender Firewall. Turn them back on as soon as you have tested.
- What the error means
- A communication problem between Rockstar Games Services and your connection’s IP address.
- Status: Official
Sources and status for What the error means
Official. Rockstar has confirmed this in its own published material.
Last checked:
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports thisThe error, as Rockstar quotes it: “Files required to play GTA Online could not be downloaded from the Rockstar Games Service. Please return to Grand Theft Auto V and try again later.”
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“This error occurs whenever there is a communication issue between Rockstar Games Services and your connection’s IP address.”
- First check
- First check your internet connection and Rockstar’s service status page for outages or maintenance.
- Status: Official
Sources and status for First check
Official. Rockstar has confirmed this in its own published material.
Last checked:
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“Check to make sure your internet connection is working properly”
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“Check the Rockstar Games Service Status for server outages or scheduled maintenance:”
- Router
- Unplug your router for about 10 minutes, then restart the game.
- Status: Official
Sources and status for Router
Official. Rockstar has confirmed this in its own published material.
Last checked:
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“You can reset your router by unplugging it and leaving it unplugged for about 10 minutes. Restart the game client and check to see if your issue is resolved.”
- DNS
- Change your PC’s DNS servers to Google’s public DNS, for IPv4 and IPv6.
- Status: Official
Sources and status for DNS
Official. Rockstar has confirmed this in its own published material.
Last checked:
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“Change your Domain Name Servers (DNS)”
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“Click Network and Internet”
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“Under Advanced network settings, click on Change adapter options”
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“Right-click on your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, depending on which you are currently using, then select Properties”
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and make sure the box is checked”
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8”
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“Select Validate settings upon exit”
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“Preferred DNS server: 2001:4860:4860::8888”
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4”
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“Alternate DNS server: 2001:4860:4860::8844”
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“Select Use the following DNS server”
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“Go to Settings”
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“Click Properties”
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“Click OK”
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“Select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and make sure the box is checked”
- Firewall or antivirus
- Temporarily turn off your firewall or antivirus, using Microsoft’s instructions for Windows Defender.
- Status: Official
Sources and status for Firewall or antivirus
Official. Rockstar has confirmed this in its own published material.
Last checked:
- Rockstar Games · Official Rockstar source · Supports this“Temporarily Disable your firewall or antivirus protection”
Still not working?
Contact Rockstar Support. Rockstar’s article covers PC; we have not found a console version of it.
Sources for this page
- Grand Theft Auto Online Files Could Not Be Downloaded on PC (Rockstar Games), checked