FiveM: How To Play (Full Guide)

You want to jump into community‑made GTA V servers with custom jobs, cars, and roleplay. This guide shows you the exact steps. You install FiveM, join your first server, set up voice, learn RP basics, and fix common errors. Keep the page open while you play.

Quick answers

Question	Short answer
Do I need GTA V?	Yes. Own GTA V on Rockstar or Steam.
Is FiveM free?	Yes. The client is free. Creating a server costs money (hosting it)
Platforms	Windows 10 or 11. No Console!
Controller	Yes. Enable it in GTA V and FiveM settings.
Voice	Most servers use Mumble or SaltyChat.
RP whitelist	Some servers require an application and a short interview.

What you need

Item	Details
A legal copy of GTA V	Steam or Rockstar. Close GTA V before installing FiveM.
Windows 10 or 11	Administrator rights help during install.
Stable internet	Wired works best. Avoid VPNs while connecting.
Headset	You need clear voice chat for RP.

Step 1: Prepare GTA V

1. Start GTA V once from Steam or Rockstar. Quit to desktop.
2. Disable mods in your GTA V Single‑Player folder for now. FiveM uses its own citizen folder, but a clean base avoids conflicts.
3. Free space. Keep at least 10 GB free on your system drive.

Step 2: Install FiveM

1. Download the current FiveM client from the official website.
2. Run the installer. Pick a clean folder on a fast drive.
3. Let the updater finish. It will download required files.
4. When asked, point FiveM to your GTA V folder. If you own the Steam version, FiveM finds it automatically.
5. Start FiveM. Sign in with your Cfx.re account. Keep two‑factor authentication on.

Step 3: Join your first server

1. Open FiveM and select Servers.
2. Use the search bar. Enter “Beginner RP,” “Freeroam,” or your language.
3. Sort by Ping. Lower ping gives a smoother experience.
4. Read the server description. Check player count, framework, and rules.
5. Click Connect. If the server is whitelisted, follow its application link.
6. Favorite good servers to return later.

Filters that help

Filter	Why it helps
Ping	Lower ping reduces desync.
Players	A moderate player count makes onboarding easier.
Tags	Look for RP, PVP, Racing, Jobs, Police, EMS, Serious RP.

Step 4: Set up voice correctly

1. Plug in your headset. Set it as the default input and output in Windows.
2. In FiveM, open Settings and select your voice device.
3. Join the server’s voice channel. Some servers use integrated Mumble. Others use SaltyChat with TeamSpeak.
4. Push‑to‑talk. Bind a key you never use for movement. Test in a safe area.

Troubleshooting voice

1. If players cannot hear you, check Windows Privacy settings for Microphone access.
2. If you hear radio echo, close extra TeamSpeak instances.
3. If voice stutters, lower packet loss: use Ethernet and close heavy downloads.

Step 5: Learn RP basics in ten minutes

1. Read the server rules. Know VDM, RDM, Meta‑gaming, and Power‑gaming.
2. Create a character with a clear backstory. Keep it simple and consistent.
3. Use local voice range. Whisper, normal, and shout ranges change how far others hear you.
4. Ask for a starter job. Garbage, taxi, delivery, fishing, or mechanic are common.
5. Respect police and emergency services. Stay in character during stops.
6. Use emotes and interactions to make scenes feel alive.

Controller and keybinds

1. Connect your gamepad before launching FiveM.
2. In GTA V settings, enable Controller. In FiveM, bind extra keys for emotes, radio, and phone.
3. Save your keybinds. Keep a screenshot in case you reinstall.

Performance: get stable FPS fast

1. Use Fullscreen Exclusive. Borderless adds input lag.
2. Cap your FPS to match your monitor.
3. Lower Population Density first. Then Shadows and Reflection MSAA.
4. Keep texture quality at a level your VRAM supports.
5. Close browser tabs, Discord overlays, and RGB apps before joining.

Optional visuals

1. Reshade presets work on many servers. Always follow server rules.
2. Avoid heavy graphics packs until you know your baseline performance.

Common errors and quick fixes

Problem	Fix
“Connection failed”	Restart FiveM. Reboot your router. Try without VPN.
Infinite loading screen	Clear the FiveM cache. Remove outdated add‑ons.
“Could not find game executable”	Point FiveM to the correct GTA V folder. Verify game files.
Texture loss	Lower Texture Quality and Population Density. Close background apps.
Thread hitch warnings	Reduce script load by lowering client‑side mods.
Voice not working	Select the right microphone and default device. Restart TeamSpeak if using SaltyChat.

Stay safe

1. Do not share your account or 2FA codes.
2. Avoid untrusted mod menus. Cheats get you banned from servers.
3. Read each server’s Terms and Discord rules before playing.

Level up: where to go next

1. Learn your framework basics. Many servers use QBCore or ESX.
2. Try different jobs. Police, EMS, Mechanic, Trucker, Fisher, or custom city roles.
3. Join community events. Racing, drift nights, convoy drives, or legal businesses.
4. Explore mapped interiors such as dealerships, hospitals, and mansions.

FAQs

Is FiveM legal?

FiveM runs separate from GTA Online. You still need a legal copy of GTA V. Follow server rules. Rockstar acquired cfx.re in 2023 so FiveM is legal!

Do I need a microphone?

Yes. Servers rely on clear voice. You can play without speaking, but RP works best with a mic.

Can I play on Linux or macOS?

No. FiveM targets Windows. You can try compatibility layers at your own risk.

How do I record gameplay?

Use NVIDIA ShadowPlay or OBS. Capture the FiveM window. Set a hotkey to start and stop recording. How to record FiveM gameplay

What is whitelisting?

Some servers review applications to protect RP quality. Expect a short form and an interview in Discord. More about Whitelists here

Glossary for new players

Term	Meaning
RP	Roleplay. You act as your character at all times.
Whitelist	A server that requires approval before joining.
VDM	Vehicle Deathmatching. Running people over without RP reason.
RDM	Random Deathmatching. Killing without RP context.
Metagaming	Using out‑of‑character info in character.
Powergaming	Forcing actions without giving others a chance to respond.

Helpful resources and next steps

1. FiveM install and setup guide on FiveMX.
2. Voice setup with SaltyChat on FiveMX.
3. Best FiveM settings for FPS and clarity on FiveMX.
4. Show FPS and boost performance on FiveMX.
5. Error codes and fixes on FiveMX.
6. Infinite loading screen fixes on FiveMX.
7. Connection failed diagnostic guide on FiveMX.
8. Beginner RP guide on FiveMX.
9. FiveM performance hub on FiveMX.
10. Tutorials library on FiveMX.

Final tips

1. Start on a friendly server with clear rules and active staff.
2. Keep your character simple. Learn as you go.
3. Use push‑to‑talk. Speak clearly and keep scenes moving.
4. Revisit this guide after your first week to fine‑tune settings.