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GTA 6 won't launch, stuck loading or an error: fixes

What to check when GTA 6 won't start, sticks on a loading screen or shows an error on PS5: status pages first, then Sony's fix order.

Last checked: Sun 15 Nov 2026, 6pm AEST. Before unlock, so no GTA 6 errors seen yet.

UnverifiedNot checked on our PS5 yet.

Do these in order and stop when it works. Steps 3 to 9 come from Sony’s own list for a game that won’t start. Sony lists the system update later; we put it before the re-download because the download is so big. We will test all of it on GTA 6 from 11pm Wed 18 Nov and mark what we have seen.

Stuck on a loading screen

We haven’t played GTA 6 yet, so we can’t say what a normal first load looks like. Until we have, don’t treat a long first load as a fault on its own. Check the status pages above, then restart the console and try again. If it still sticks, follow the steps above from the restart.

Errors we’ve seen on GTA 6

None yet. Every error we hit goes here with the exact on-screen text, what we were doing, and the fix that worked on our own PS5. The “last checked” line at the top moves each time we look.

Still stuck

Contact Rockstar Games Support for game problems, and PlayStation support for console, licence or Safe Mode problems. Have the exact error text ready.

Steps

  1. 1Check the unlock time. If your region hasn't unlocked yet, the game isn't meant to start. Check your time on the unlock times page. In Queensland it unlocks at 11pm Wed 18 Nov, and in Sydney and Melbourne at midnight.
  2. 2Check the status pages. Open PlayStation status (status.playstation.com). If PlayStation Network shows a problem, Sony says to wait for the service to recover before trying again. Rockstar Games Support also has a service status page.
  3. 3Restart the console. Press the PS button, then choose Power, then Restart PS5.
  4. 4Look for a padlock on the game icon. A padlock can mean a licence problem. Sony has a Restore licences guide for it.
  5. 5Move the game off USB storage. If GTA 6 is on USB extended storage, move it to the PS5's internal storage. Sony lists this as a fix for games that won't start.
  6. 6Update the console. Check the PS5 has the latest system software (Settings, System, System Software, System Software Update and Settings).
  7. 7Delete and download again. Sony's next step is to delete the game and download it again, using a wired connection if you can. GTA 6 is 212 GB on our PS5, so leave this until the quick steps have failed.
  8. 8Rebuild the database in Safe Mode. Start the PS5 in Safe Mode and choose Clear Cache and Rebuild Database. Sony has a Safe Mode guide.
  9. 9Last resort. Back up your data, then reinstall the system software from Safe Mode. This wipes the console, so use it only when Sony support says to, or when nothing above worked.

When not to use it

Don't delete the game or reinstall the system software as your first move. Both cost hours and most start-up problems are fixed by the first few steps.

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