Vehicle Not Spawning in FiveM: 7 Fixes

If a car won't spawn on your FiveM server, it's almost always one of the 7 problems below. Go through them in order.

TL;DR:

1. Check that the resource is started in server.cfg.
2. Use the right spawn name (the <modelName> in vehicles.meta).
3. Check all the files really uploaded to the server (FTP uploads often fail) and the .yft and .ytd files are in stream.
4. Check the fxmanifest.lua loads the meta files.
5. Look for errors in the server console and the F8 console.
6. Delete the server cache and restart.
7. Convert the car if your server runs on GTA V Enhanced.

1. Is the resource started?

Open server.cfg and make sure the resource is there with ensure, written exactly like the folder name:

ensure mycar

When the server starts, the console should show Started resource mycar. If it says it couldn't find the resource, the folder name and the name in server.cfg don't match, or the folder is inside another folder without [ ] brackets. Our installation tutorial shows the right layout.

2. Are you using the right spawn name?

The spawn name isn't always the same as the car's name or the folder name. Open data/vehicles.meta and look for <modelName>. That's the name you spawn the car with. See How to Find a Vehicle's Spawn Name.

3. Are all the files on the server?

Files that never made it to the server are one of the most common reasons. FTP uploads often fail halfway, especially with big car packs, and leave files missing or empty (0 KB).

• Compare the resource folder on the server with the one on your PC: same files, same sizes.
• For big packs, upload the resource as a .zip and extract it on the server, if your host's file manager can do that.

Using FileZilla? Check the Failed transfers tab at the bottom. If it shows a number, those files didn't upload:

Right-click the tab, choose Reset and requeue all, then press Ctrl + P (Process Queue) to upload them again. Repeat until the tab is empty.

The car's .yft and .ytd files also have to be in the resource's stream folder, not in data or next to fxmanifest.lua.

Texture issues on the car or the map are a different problem, usually from very big .ytd files. See Fixing Oversized Asset Warnings.

4. Does the fxmanifest load the meta files?

Open fxmanifest.lua. It needs to list the meta files, otherwise the car can spawn invisible, without handling, or not at all. A normal car resource looks like this:

fx_version 'cerulean'
game 'gta5'

files {
  'data/*.meta'
}

data_file 'HANDLING_FILE' 'data/handling.meta'
data_file 'VEHICLE_METADATA_FILE' 'data/vehicles.meta'
data_file 'CARCOLS_FILE' 'data/carcols.meta'
data_file 'VEHICLE_VARIATION_FILE' 'data/carvariations.meta'

The file names have to match the files that are really in the data folder. All our resources come with this set up already.

5. Check the console for errors

Look at the server console when the resource starts, and press F8 in game after trying to spawn the car. Errors usually point straight at the problem, for example a broken .meta file. If you edited a meta file yourself, check that every tag you opened is closed again, a single missing </Item> is enough to stop the car loading.

6. Delete the server cache

Stop the server, open the cache folder next to your resources folder, delete everything inside it and start the server again. This fixes a lot of problems after updating or replacing a car.

7. Is the car made for the other game version?

If your server runs FiveM on GTA V Enhanced, cars made for the old Legacy version have to be converted first. See Converting Resources to FiveM Enhanced with Alchemist.

↑ Back to the steps

FAQ

Why does my FiveM car spawn invisible?

Usually the fxmanifest.lua doesn't load the meta files, or the .yft and .ytd files didn't upload to the stream folder. Check steps 3 and 4 above.

Why does the car work on my PC but not on the server?

Usually some files didn't upload. FTP uploads often fail halfway, so compare the folder on the server with the one on your PC and upload the missing files again.

Why does it say the vehicle model doesn't exist?

The spawn name is wrong or the resource isn't started. Check the modelName in vehicles.meta and that the resource is in server.cfg with ensure.

Do I need to delete the server cache after adding a car?

Not every time, but it fixes a lot of problems after updating or replacing a car, so it's worth trying first.

Why does the car spawn but drive strangely?

The handling.meta isn't being loaded. Make sure the HANDLING_FILE line in fxmanifest.lua points to the right file.

Still not spawning?

Open a ticket on our Discord with a screenshot of the error and we'll help:

https://discord.gg/4qp2bDEJbv