Fix Garry's Mod Can't Connect to Server

Read the exact message the game gives you, then jump to its section below. Most join problems are a version mismatch after an update, a blocked connection, or a download setting that stops the map arriving.

"Running an Older Version of the Game"

The full message reads: "The server you are trying to connect to is running an older version of the game. Please wait for the server to update."

Garry's Mod just got an update and the server hasn't restarted onto it yet. Your game is newer than the server's. Nothing on your PC is broken.

• Wait. The server picks up the update when it restarts.
• Try another server. If every server says this, an update came out today.
• If the message says "a newer version of the game" instead, your game is the one behind. Restart Steam so it downloads the update, then try again.

Beta Branch Mismatch

Steam lets you opt into test versions of Garry's Mod. If you're on one, your game can be ahead of the servers you want to join.

The dev and prerelease branches are the next update before it ships. They can join normal servers most of the time, but not always when a new update is close.

Running 32-bit or 64-bit doesn't lock you out of servers on its own. A branch that is ahead of or behind the servers can.

For the 64-bit version and how to check what you're running, see the 64-bit guide.

"Connection Failed" and Timed Out

You'll see "Retrying connection to server..." a few times. Then you get a message like "Connection failed after 4 retries." Your game sent a request and got nothing back.

If you get in but then see "WARNING: Connection Problem", the server stopped replying mid-game. When it ends with "Server connection timed out." or "Lost connection to server.", open the console and type retry to reconnect. The console commands guide shows how to open the console.

"Missing Map" Disconnects

The message looks like Missing map 'rp_example', disconnecting. The server told your game to load a map, and your game couldn't get it.

The usual cause is your download setting. If it blocks downloads, the server can't send you its map.

The settings Do not download Steam Workshop addons and Do not download any custom files both stop Workshop maps arriving. In the console, cl_downloadfilter all does the same as the first option above.

If the setting was already right, the map's Workshop download may have failed. Restart Steam, then rejoin. The Workshop downloads guide covers stuck downloads.

Steam Validation Errors

These messages mean the server asked Steam to confirm who you are, and Steam didn't confirm it:

• "STEAM validation rejected"
• "Invalid STEAM UserID Ticket"
• "Client left game (Steam auth ticket has been canceled)"
• "Logged in elsewhere"
• "Steam connection lost"

Work through these in order:

1. Check Steam is online. If the Steam window says you're in offline mode, go back online.
2. Close Garry's Mod and exit Steam fully from the tray icon, then open both again.
3. "Logged in elsewhere" means your account signed in somewhere else. Close the game on any other PC using your account.
4. Wait 5 to 10 minutes. Steam's login servers sometimes have short outages.
5. Verify your game files, as in the timeout steps above.

If it still fails, the Steamworks API error guide covers the game failing to talk to Steam at all.

Other Messages

If the game crashes while joining instead, go to Garry's Mod Keeps Crashing. For checkerboard textures once you're in, see Missing Textures.