If you are seeing errors on the server (like players running around as error signs, vehicles, weapons, or even missing textures (purple and black checkerboards) etc) when you first join, or, if after returning to the server from a long time off, there are some simple ways to try and fix it. Some of our content is configured via Fast DL and is not subscribable via the workshop. So here's how you make sure you download all of the content and your cache is not to blame:


Option 1:

> Simply close your Garry's Mod.

> Reopen Garry's Mod, then reconnect.

> I know this seems absurd, but you'd be surprised how often this works. By completely closing and then reopening your game, you are essentially clearing your game cache.

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Option 2:

- MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT MISS A SINGLE STEP OR THIS WILL BE GARUAUNTEED TO NOT WORK -

> Open Garry's Mod (If you are already on the server, disconnect before continuing)

> Go to options.

> Go to the 'Multiplayer' tab.

> At the bottom, select the drop-down area > Select "do not download/allow any custom files".

> Click apply.

> Join the server.

> Go back into options after loading back into the server.

> Go back to the 'Multiplayer' tab.

> Select dropdown.

> Select "allow all custom files".

> Click apply.

> Disconnect from the server.

> Reconnect to the server.

> After completely loading back into the server, completely close Garry's Mod, reopen, and reconnect to the server.

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Option 3:

> Close your Garry's Mod. This is important, your game must not be running for this to work.

> Next, go to this directory on your PC: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\GarrysMod\

> Once there, delete the folder named 'bin', but be careful, delete the bin folder that's in the FIRST Garry's Mod directory, so common\GarrysMod\bin, not common\GarrysMod\garrysmod\bin

> Go to this directory on your PC: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\GarrysMod\garrysmod

> Inside there delete the four folders named "cache, download, downloads, and downloadlist". If one or any combination of these folders isn't there, don't worry, it shouldn't be an issue.

> Clear your recycle bin for safe measure.

> Go to your Steam library and right-click Garry's Mod and click properties > local files > verify integrity of game files.

> This will say that it failed to validate a high number of files and redownload a fresh version of your bin folder that you deleted.

> Sign out of Steam. Going into offline mode will not work. Closing the Steam program will not work. This is a very important step, you must specifically sign out of Steam.

> Go to this directory on your PC: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop

> Once there, delete the file appworkshop_4000.acf. If you do this without signing out of Steam first, it will redownload a cached version of this file and the rest of the process will be for nothing.

> Once the previous file is deleted, continue the directory through to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\4000 and delete all of the folders inside. Do not delete the folder named 4000, only empty it. This is important.

> Clear your recycle bin for safe measure.

> Close Steam and then restart your PC.

> Once your PC has completed restarting and you have relaunched Steam, open your Garry's Mod and reconnect to redownload everything.

> I understand this is a long process, but ever since the January 2020 Update, Garry's Mod now downloads files in multiple ways in multiple places making this a more convoluted process compared to how it used to be. All files for Garry's Mod were originally downloaded directly to the game files themselves, however, unfortunately, that is no longer the case. If you follow these steps exactly without missing a step, there is no reason that this shouldn't work.

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Option 4:

> As a last ditch effort, typically a fresh reinstall of Steam will ultimately fix your issue.

> Just as an extra to-be-sure step, go to the following directory on your PC before you uninstall: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\

> Delete the folder named Garry's Mod manually, then clear your recycle bin.

> Go to your Steam library, and uninstall Garry's Mod.

> Uninstall Steam.

> Restart your PC, then reinstall Steam, and finally, reinstall Garry's Mod from your Steam library.

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If you are still having issues, MAKE SURE you are NOT joining the server in offline mode on Steam, as that is known for causing issues with downloading things from the workshop. Also, these issues can be caused when Steam servers are down or experiencing technical difficulties at the time of you attempting to join our server(s).

Be sure that either your HDD or SDD are not maxed out, as obviously, with no storage space left on your device, downloads will fail, cancel, and even crash your game.

Lastly, if none of this works, it is likely a network/computer configuration error or issue on your end which unfortunately I cannot help you with.

PS: These techniques will work on all Garry's Mod servers. If you still see errors when joining a server after doing this, that either means A: the server has custom game content that you must have (like counter-strike source) or B: the server does not have their Fast DL or Workshop DL configured correctly or C: You are having a network/computer configuration issue depending on your operating system, and it's noteworthy to know Garry's Mod does not tend to work well with Mac and newer versions of Windows.