Best Ways To Fix GTA 5 Online Long Load Times

GTA V Online is a massively popular game that continues to captivate players around the world. However, one common frustration that many players encounter is the long loading times when trying to join a game. The good news is that there are several steps you can take to improve these loading times and get into the action faster. In this guide, we will explore various tips and tricks to help you optimize your GTA V Online experience.

The Causes of Slow Loading Times

Before diving into the solutions, it’s important to understand the factors that contribute to slow loading times in GTA V Online. The game’s gigantic open world is the primary reason for these lengthy loading times. Every time you launch the game and attempt to join a session, your system has to render the entire world from scratch, resulting in significant loading delays.

While upgrading your system’s CPU or SSD may seem like an obvious solution, the GTA V community has discovered that these hardware upgrades have a negligible impact on loading times. Instead, there are several external factors that can also contribute to slow loading times. Let’s explore these factors in more detail:

1. Rockstar Server Issues: GTA V has a massive player base, with hundreds of thousands of players trying to connect to the servers simultaneously. As a result, the game servers can encounter issues or even go down. Before troubleshooting on your end, it’s important to check if the Rockstar servers are up and running.
2. Loading Directly into GTA V Online: Many players make the mistake of launching GTA V and immediately going into online mode. However, it has been observed that if you first enter the story mode and then switch to GTA Online, the game will load significantly faster.
3. Minimizing GTA V While Loading: Minimizing a GPU-intensive application like GTA V while it’s loading can prevent the game from utilizing the full power of the GPU, resulting in slower loading times.
4. Missing/Corrupted Files: If GTA V gets stuck on the loading screen when entering specific in-game areas or during online mode, it may indicate that some game files are missing or corrupted. Verifying the integrity of the game files can help resolve this issue.
5. Low Disk Space: It’s crucial to ensure that the disk where GTA V is installed has sufficient free space. If the disk is running low on space, the game won’t be able to store necessary temporary files, leading to low virtual memory and various performance issues, including slow loading times.
6. Conflicting Programs: Certain programs or services running in the background can conflict with GTA V, causing it to load extremely slowly. Identifying and closing these conflicting programs can help improve loading times.
7. Antivirus/Firewall Interference: Antivirus software and Windows Firewall may mistakenly flag GTA V as a potential threat, impeding its proper functioning. Temporarily disabling the antivirus software and creating a firewall exception can resolve this issue.
8. Conflicting Firmware of Peripherals: If you have multiple peripherals connected to your system, the different firmware versions of these peripherals may interfere with GTA V and cause slow loading times.
9. Wrong NAT Type: For console players, ensuring that the NAT Type is set to Open is crucial. A closed or moderate NAT Type can significantly increase loading times in GTA V Online.

Now that we have a better understanding of the causes of slow loading times in GTA V Online, let’s explore the solutions to improve your gaming experience.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

Before troubleshooting within the game, it’s essential to ensure that your internet connection is stable and not experiencing any issues. Slow or unstable internet speeds can significantly impact GTA V Online’s loading times. Follow these steps to check your internet connection:

1. Pause any downloads or streams running in the background while attempting to load into GTA V Online.
2. Check if your internet connection has regained speed and stability after pausing downloads and streams. If it has, relaunch GTA V Online.
3. If your internet connection is still slow, consider switching from Wi-Fi to an Ethernet connection. Connect your system directly to the router using an Ethernet cable.
4. Restart your router by turning it off, waiting for a minute, and then turning it back on.

If these methods don’t improve your internet connection, consider using an alternative internet connection, such as a mobile hotspot, to connect to GTA V Online.

2. Verify the Rockstar Server Status

As mentioned earlier, Rockstar servers can experience issues or go down due to the high volume of players. Before troubleshooting on your end, it’s crucial to verify the status of the Rockstar servers. Check online forums or Rockstar’s official website for any announcements or reports of server issues. If the servers are down, you may need to wait until they are back up and running.

3. Verify the Integrity of Game Files

If you encounter freezing or prolonged loading times when entering specific areas or during online mode, it may indicate missing or corrupted game files. Verifying the integrity of GTA V’s game files can help resolve this issue. The process may vary depending on whether you downloaded the game through Steam or the Epic Games Launcher.

To verify the integrity of game files through Steam:

1. Open Steam and navigate to the Library.
2. Right-click on GTA V in the list of games.
3. Click on Properties and go to the Local Files tab.
4. Click on “Verify integrity of game files…” to initiate the file restoration process.

If you downloaded GTA V through the Epic Games Launcher, follow these steps:

1. Open the Epic Games Launcher and go to your Library.
2. Find GTA V and right-click on it.
3. Click on Manage and select Verify.

After a few minutes, Steam or the Epic Games Launcher will notify you if any files were found and fixed during the verification process.

4. Load into Story Mode Before Going Online

One effective method to reduce loading times in GTA V Online is to first load into the story mode before accessing the online mode. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Launch GTA V and wait for it to load into the story mode.
2. Once you’re in the story mode, access the Pause Menu and navigate to the Online tab.
3. Select “Play GTA Online” and click on Go to start loading into GTA V Online.

By following this method, you can significantly decrease the loading time, making your online gaming experience more efficient. If you’re already using this method and want to further optimize loading times, continue reading for additional solutions.

5. Keep GTA V Maximized While Loading

Minimizing GTA V while it’s loading can hinder the game’s ability to utilize your GPU’s full power, resulting in slower loading times. To ensure optimal loading performance, always keep the game window maximized during the loading process.

6. Reconnect Your Internet Connection While Loading

If you want to join an empty public lobby in GTA Online, you can try this simple trick:

1. Launch GTA V and load it into the story mode.
2. Once the story mode has loaded, join an online session.
3. As soon as you reach the GTA Online loading screen, disconnect your internet connection quickly and then reconnect it.

If you manage to reconnect your internet connection swiftly enough, you’ll receive an alert message on your screen. Accept the alert message, and you’ll instantly load into an empty public lobby. This trick works best when using an Ethernet cable for your internet connection. However, if you don’t have access to an Ethernet cable, you can use your phone’s hotspot feature to achieve the same result.

7. Free Up Disk Space

Having sufficient free space on the disk where GTA V is installed is crucial for smooth loading times. When GTA V runs, it creates temporary files within the disk. If the disk is running critically low on space, the game won’t be able to create these temporary files, leading to slow loading times.

To free up disk space, consider deleting unnecessary files, uninstalling unused programs, and moving large files to an external storage device. Aim to have at least 20-25% of your SSD or HDD’s total space available for optimal performance.

8. Close Background Processes

Having numerous unnecessary programs and services running in the background can significantly impact GTA V’s performance, including loading times. To identify and close these background processes, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows Key + X simultaneously and select Task Manager.
2. In the Processes tab, observe the CPU/GPU power and memory consumption of each process.
3. Identify processes that are running unnecessarily and close them by left-clicking on them and selecting End Task at the bottom.

Additionally, certain services like Razer and NVIDIA can cause problems with GTA V. To stop these services, navigate to the Services tab in Task Manager, find the Razer and NVIDIA services, right-click on them, and select Stop. Keep in mind not to stop the NVIDIA Display Driver service.

9. Turn Off Antivirus Software and Create a Firewall Exception

Antivirus programs sometimes mistakenly flag GTA V as a potential threat, preventing it from running smoothly. Temporarily disabling your antivirus software while playing GTA V can help resolve this issue. However, it’s important to note that if you downloaded GTA V from an untrusted source, it’s advisable not to disable your antivirus for safety reasons.

To turn off your antivirus software, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows Key and type “Windows Security.”
2. Press Enter to open the Windows Security menu.
3. On the left side of the window, click on Virus & Threat Protection.
4. Click on the “Open App” option to access your antivirus software’s menu.
5. Disable the antivirus from within the menu.

After disabling your antivirus, create a firewall exception for GTA V and the Steam/Epic Games Launcher. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Press the Windows Key and type “Windows Security.”
2. Press Enter to open the Windows Security menu.
3. On the left side of the window, click on Firewall & Network Protection.
4. Click on the “Allow an app through Firewall” option.
5. From the list of apps, checkmark Steam/Epic Games Launcher and GTA V.
6. Click OK to add the firewall exception.

If you’re using a third-party firewall, remember to add the exceptions within the firewall’s settings. Once you’ve completed your GTA V gaming session, remember to turn your antivirus software back on for security purposes.

10. Disconnect Unnecessary Peripherals

Having multiple peripherals connected to your system can sometimes cause conflicts with GTA V, resulting in slow loading times. Consider disconnecting all non-essential USB devices, such as USB hubs, capture devices, or secondary monitors. After disconnecting these peripherals, relaunch GTA V and monitor if the loading times improve. If they do, reconnect the peripherals one by one to identify which one was causing the issue. You can then reinstall or update the drivers for that specific peripheral to resolve the problem.

11. Change NAT Type to Open

For console players, ensuring that the NAT Type is set to Open is essential for optimal online gaming performance. NAT (Network Address Translation) allows your console to communicate with the online servers of different games. Having an Open NAT Type enables you to connect and host servers with players of any NAT type.

To check your network’s NAT type, go to your console’s home page and navigate to the network settings. Look for the “Test Internet Connection” option and run the test. The test results will indicate your network’s NAT type. If it’s not set to Open, you’ll need to adjust your router’s settings.

To open your router’s settings page, you first need to find the default gateway (IP Address). Follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows Key and type “cmd” in the search bar.
2. Click on “Run as Administrator” to open Command Prompt.
3. In Command Prompt, enter the command “ipconfig.”
4. Look for the set of numbers next to “Default Gateway” in the Ethernet Adapter section.

Once you have the IP Address, open your browser and paste the IP Address into the search bar. On the login page, enter your router’s username and password. If you’re unsure of the default username and password, search for your router model’s default credentials on Google.

After logging in, locate the “UPnP Configuration” option in your router’s settings page. Enabling UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) can help optimize your network for online gaming. The exact location of this option may vary depending on your router brand and model. If you’re having trouble finding it, consult the router’s manual or search online for specific instructions.

Once you’ve enabled UPnP, save the settings. It’s worth noting that this method applies to the Windows Firewall. If you’re using a third-party firewall, you’ll need to add the necessary exceptions within that firewall’s settings.

Conclusion

By implementing the tips and tricks outlined in this comprehensive guide, you can significantly improve the loading times in GTA V Online. Remember to check your internet connection, verify the Rockstar server status, and ensure the integrity of game files. Optimize your system by freeing up disk space, closing unnecessary background processes, and resolving conflicts with antivirus software and peripherals. Additionally, adjusting your NAT Type to Open can enhance your online gaming experience.

Enjoy faster loading times in GTA V Online and immerse yourself in the thrilling world of Los Santos without the frustration of lengthy wait times.

Experiencing difficulties with your Device, check out our “How To” page on how to resolve some of these issues.