Before you install anything
Installing FiveM takes a few minutes, but most failed installs trace back to the same three checks: a legitimate copy of GTA V, enough disk space and the right game edition. Once those are settled, you can pick a community from the FiveM server list and join.
If any term below is unfamiliar, the glossary explains it. The sections run in the order you will need them: checks, client choice, install, connecting, settings and fixes, then what to expect when a server asks you to apply.
- Minimum RAM
- 8GB
- Disk space
- 105GB + ~4GB
- Operating system
- Windows 8.1, 10 or 11
4GB may work, 16GB recommended
game plus FiveM cache, per the docs
Windows 10 recommended
Pick the right client
There are now two clients: FiveM, which the homepage says requires GTA V Legacy, and FiveM for GTAV Enhanced, listed as Early Access and requiring GTA V Enhanced. Choosing the wrong one is the most common avoidable mistake, because many servers support only one.
| FiveM (Legacy) | FiveM for GTAV Enhanced | |
|---|---|---|
| Needs | Grand Theft Auto V Legacy | Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced |
| Status on the homepage | Main client | Early Access |
| Where servers stand | Most servers target this build | Check each server; some list both routes |
| Server owners | Standard FXServer builds | Different build names; Windows needs the Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable |
Servers state their own requirements. One German reallife server in our directory says on its site that Enhanced is unsupported, while a French community offers connection routes for both. When in doubt, ask in the server's Discord before downloading anything else. If you are still deciding which game edition to buy or keep, check the servers you want to play first, because the server list you can use depends on that choice more than on any hardware detail.
Install and first launch
- 1
Download only from fivem.net
Avoid links shared in Discord servers, video descriptions and file hosts. Fake installers are a common way to spread malware.
- 2
Run the installer
The docs point to the official installation article on support.cfx.re for the full walk-through. If FiveM cannot find the game binary, it prompts you to set the GTA V folder.
- 3
Let the first launch finish
The first start downloads and builds a cache, which is why the docs budget a few extra gigabytes of disk space.
- 4
Open the server browser
Search by name or tag, or paste a join link from a server's own website.
- 5
Connect and read the rules
Whitelisted servers need an application first, so check the Discord before you try to join.
For a general checklist that applies to any game, see our guide on how to join a private server, and read the safety guide before you hand over any account details.
Three ways to connect
The in-game browser is the easiest route, but servers also publish links and addresses. The console documentation lists the exact syntax. Press F8 to open the client console.
| Method | How it looks | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Server browser | Search and click Connect inside FiveM | Browsing and comparing |
| Join link | connect cfx.re/join/y4lg95 (docs example) | Servers that publish a short link |
| Direct address | connect 127.0.0.1:30120 (docs example) | Servers that publish IP and port |
| Leave a server | disconnect returns you to the main menu | Switching cities |
| Close the client | quit closes FiveM immediately | Hung sessions |
Treat addresses like these as examples of format, not recommendations. Ports and hostnames change, so copy them from the live site. Our category pages help narrow the list first: serious roleplay servers often need an application, while no-whitelist servers let you try roleplay straight away.
What joining looks like on real servers
Installing the client is only half of getting in. Each community sets its own entry route, and the differences are large enough that it helps to see a few. These examples come from the servers' own websites as recorded in our directory research.
| Server | Entry route | What the site says |
|---|---|---|
| Lucid City RP | No whitelist | Join the Discord, then connect with the F8 command to play.lucidcityrp.com |
| Vio-V | No whitelist | Own GTA V Legacy, install FiveM, then connect to play.vio-v.com on port 30120 |
| ONEV | No whitelist | German-language server; access unlocks with one click in Discord |
| Connect Roleplay | Whitelist | Roughly an hour on the form and a decision within 48 hours by Discord message |
| Capital Roleplay | Whitelist | Application with a backstory of at least 700 characters |
Notice that two of these entries repeat the same pattern you just learned: install the client, then use the console or a link. The whitelisted ones add a waiting step, so apply early and keep your Discord direct messages open. Browse the whitelist-free options first if you only want to test your setup.
Settings worth knowing about
FiveM keeps its configuration in a file named CitizenFX.ini. The documentation advises against editing it unless you know what you are doing, but a few options explain common problems.
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| IVPath | Path to your GTA V installation; FiveM normally prompts you if it cannot find the game |
| UpdateChannel | production (stable), beta (newer features) or canary (latest, unstable) |
| SavedBuildNumber | Launches directly into a specific game build so you do not switch builds when joining |
| DisableNVSP | Controls blocking of the GeForce Experience overlay, which has been known to cause crashes |
| DisableOSVersionCheck | Hides the warning on outdated Windows 10 versions; the minimum supported is 1703 |
| EnableFullMemoryDump | Writes large crash dumps of 1 to 10 GB for diagnosis, so clean them out regularly |
The file lives under %localappdata%\FiveM\FiveM.app. Leave UpdateChannel on production unless a server asks otherwise, since the beta and canary channels are described as less stable. Back up the file before changing it, and change one value at a time so you can tell which edit fixed or broke something.
Memory dumps deserve a special mention. They are only useful if you plan to send a crash report to someone who can read it, and each one can take up several gigabytes, so leave EnableFullMemoryDump off unless you are actively diagnosing a problem.
If the install goes wrong
- Crashes at launch: turn off the GeForce Experience overlay, which the docs link to crashes.
- A warning about your Windows version: update Windows, since 1703 is the minimum supported for Windows 10.
- The game folder is not found: set the IVPath value or let FiveM prompt you for the folder.
- Server will not load: check the server's requirements for the right game build or edition.
- Anything else: the docs link a dedicated troubleshooting manual and the FiveM Discord.
Servers that need a particular game build are the usual cause of surprise downloads. If a community asks you to switch builds, the SavedBuildNumber setting above is how FiveM remembers it. Once you are in, the guide to choosing a server helps you compare communities, and the server rates and wipes explainer clarifies the numbers on server pages.
