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Once your FiveM server at Wasabi Hosting is online, connecting takes less than a minute. This guide covers installing the FiveM client and the three ways to join a server: the in-game server list, direct connect, and cfx.re join links.

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Install the FiveM Client

1

Own a legal copy of GTA V

FiveM requires a legitimate copy of Grand Theft Auto V purchased through Steam, the Rockstar Games Launcher, or the Epic Games Store. Make sure the game is installed and has been launched at least once.
2

Download FiveM

Get the client from the official site: fivem.net. Only download FiveM from this domain — third-party mirrors are a common source of malware.
3

Run the installer

Run the downloaded file. FiveM installs into its own folder and keeps separate game files — it does not modify your GTA V installation or affect GTA: Online.
4

Launch and sign in

Start FiveM and sign in with (or create) a free Cfx.re account. Many servers use this account as one of your player identifiers.

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Find Your Server Address

Your server’s IP address and port are shown in the Wasabi Hosting Game Panel on your server’s overview page. FiveM servers use port 30120 by default, so your address looks like 203.0.113.10:30120.

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Ways to Connect

  1. Launch FiveM and click Play, then browse or search the server list.
  2. Type your server’s name (the sv_hostname from your config) into the search bar.
  3. Click the server to connect.
New servers can take a few minutes to appear in the list after their first start, and only show up with a valid Cfx.re license key set. Use direct connect in the meantime.

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Add Your Server to Favorites

In the server list, hover over your server and click the star icon to add it to your Favorites tab. Combined with the History tab, this makes reconnecting after restarts effortless — no need to remember the IP.

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Troubleshooting

  • Fresh servers take several minutes after startup to be indexed in the public list.
  • The list requires a valid sv_licenseKey from the Keymaster — check the server.cfg guide.
  • Check the console in the Game Panel for errors during startup.
  • Direct connect with connect IP:30120 always works, even before the server is listed.
If the server sets sv_enforceGameBuild (for newer DLC content), your FiveM client switches to that build when connecting — this can trigger a short download or a client restart. If the connection fails:
  • Make sure your FiveM client is fully updated (restart the client to pull updates).
  • Verify your GTA V installation is up to date in Steam/Rockstar/Epic.
  • Ask the server owner which build is enforced; very new builds may require the FiveM “beta”/latest update channel in FiveM settings.
  • Confirm the server shows as Online in the Game Panel and the console has finished loading all resources.
  • Double-check the IP and port — the default is 30120 unless you changed it.
  • Make sure no rule in the Firewall Manager is blocking your connection.
  • Try quit in the F8 console and restart FiveM to clear a stuck session.
Long load times are usually server-side: a resource failing to start or a heavy loading screen resource. Check the live console in the Game Panel for red error lines, and see Install Resources for how to spot a broken resource.

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Next Steps

Now that you can connect, set up your management dashboard and permissions:

txAdmin Setup

Deploy a framework and manage your server from the web.

Add Admins

Give yourself and your staff admin permissions.

Need a FiveM server?

Get FiveM server hosting from €4.80/month at Wasabi Hosting — deployed in about 2 minutes with DDoS protection included.