Community List of Common Problems/Solutions

[Skream XVII]

Post Revision: 3.6.1 (2020 edits for simplicity)

Hi everyone, it's been some time! I have decided I may revive this post and update it with new bugs and refresh the whole list. I have not had a computer for a while as I have moved on with my life but I do want to get back into PC gaming again so I figured I would sit around the forums on the internet again until I can afford another computer. I read this a few days ago and I realised how badly it's written and how it can be improved vastly. I went through the entire list and simplified everything, removed stupid remarks, solutions and simplifying sentences so they make more sense for people to follow. I also see some of my screencap pictures are now outdated so they will have to be addressed at a later date. If there are any newer regulars on this board, let me know if you're interested in helping.

This thread focuses on problems that are in any area of garrysmod (aside from mods/scripting, since they can go elsewhere in relevant workshop addon pages etc)
NOTE: If there are any problems that aren't listed on here, post them below and I will add it and we will find fix(es) for it as a community.

Current list of problems/fixes in this thread:

• [1]My game is crashing with/without error message!
  
• [2]My addons aren't subscribing!
  
• [3]My game says it's "Still Running", and I can't load the game/other games!\
  
• [4]I cannot connect to servers!
  
• [5]I see purple and black checkers and/or error models!
  
• [6]Something is causing script errors!
  
• [7]Unsubscribed addons won't go away!
  
• [8]Ads are appearing in my game!
  
• [9]Garry's Mod Workshop Content or Garry's Mod is downloading 0 / 0 Bytes
  
• [10]Ragdolls/NPC's eyes are broken!
  
• [11]I hear sounds looping!
  
• [12]My game turns into a black screen after x amount of time (I can/cannot hear sound).
  
• [13]I cannot host a game for me and my friends!
  
• [14]I'm not receiving time-based achievements!
  
• [15]My game runs slowly / lags excessively!
  
• [16]I get the error: 'Can't Find Background Image: materials/console/background01_widescreen.vtf'!
  
• [17]My Weapon Selection GUI is missing!
  
• [18]I can't use my microphone ingame!
  
• [19]Missing maps disconnects me from the server!
  
• [20]I'm joining a server when I didn't join a server!
  
• [21]I'm getting the error "Cant start memory.c - !IsBadReadPtr(InPtr, InSize)"!
  
• [22]Garry's Mod "No SteamUser" Error when loading up game
  
• [23]I'm having Steam Authentication/Addon errors!
  
• [24]My game crashes with the error "vertex buffer" or "d3d object". I'm on linux!
  
• [25]Content File Locked
  
• [26]My screen is a missing texture/My screen is full of black and purple squares!

[1]My game is crashing with/without error messages!

You can try:

• Verify Game Cache
  
• Try uninstalling some addons that you have installed to help reduce load on your computer. It is advised to remove addons in certain amounts (E.g: For every 5 addons uninstalled, test the game), this way you can try to figure out if it is a specific addon causing your game to crash which can be reported to the author of the addon.
  
• Verify Game Cache of TF2
  
• Leave the game for 24 hrs
  
• Reinstall your game

[2]My addons aren't subscribing!

You can try:

• Verify Game Cache
  
• Check that addons are downloading in your local files (garrysmod/garrysmod/addons)
  
• Check that security measures aren't blocking it (whether this be your Windows/Mac Firewall, Antivirus Firewall, Router Firewall/exceptions/block list)
  
• Wait 24hrs (there could be an issue with the steam servers and most likely will be fixed soon)
  
• Delete Appcache in your steam folder.
  
• Change your time/date to the current date/time.

[3]My game says it's "Still Running", and I can't load the game/other games!

You can try:

• Open task manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and open the processes tab and end the hl2.exe process.
  
• Restart your PC
  
• Delete Appcache in your steam folder.
  
• Running hl2.exe as administrator.

[4]I cannot connect to servers!

You can try:

• Verify Game Cache
  
• Check that Garrysmod is allowed in all your firewalls (windows/anti virus etc) and there are no parental settings set up on your computer/internet.
  
• Reinstall the game & Mounted content

[5]I see purple and black checkers and/or error models!

NOTE: This is typically related to not having the correct games mounted or content from the workshop, and can be easily fixed. I would also like to note that nobody in this forum board will help or suggest piracy, and I highly suggest you should not do it.

You can try:

• Check that you have Counter-Strike: Source purchased, installed and mounted.
  
• If it is related to a specific map: Check the map's description on the Workshop and see if Half Life 2: Episode and/or Episode 2 is needed. This also goes with custom content packs.
  
• Verify Game Cache for Garrys Mod and all the mounted games you have for Garrys Mod
  
• Uninstall and Reinstall the addon content pack on the Workshop
  
• Reinstall Garrys Mod
  
• Reinstall all the games you have mounted to Garrys Mod

[6]Something is causing script errors!

NOTE: We can't help you fix your custom scripts or fix other people's addons, we can only help you with trying to get rid of the problem.

You can try:

• Verify Game Cache
  
• Report the bug to the developer/manager of addon/whatever
  
• Reinstall the addon that is causing the issue
  

[7]Unsubscribed addons won't go away!

You can try:

• Typing menu_cleanupgmas into the developers console
  
• Resubscribing to the addon, and then unsubscribing and deleting the .gma file manually via your local files (garrysmod/garrysmod/addons)
  
• Verify Game Cache

[8]Ads are appearing in my game!

You can try:

• Typing menu_cleanupgmas into the developers console whilst in the main menu.
  
• Entering cl_disablehtmlmotd 1 into the developers console. I advise this for most players.
  
• Mute Awesomium Core in Volume Mixer

[9]Garry's Mod Workshop Content or Garry's Mod is downloading 0 / 0 Bytes

You can try:

• Reading this thread: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=3134-TIAL-4638
  
• Removing "appcache" folder in the Steam directory or "downloading" foder in the steamapps directory.
  
• Waiting 1 - 2 Hours for the download to complete. It could just be downloading bulk addon updates from the workshop.
  
• Verify Game Cache

[10]Ragdolls/NPC's eyes are broken!

You can try:

• Entering r_eyesize 0 into the Developers Console
  
• Verify Game Cache

[11]I hear sound looping!

You can try:

• Entering stopsound into the Developers Console

[12]My game turns into a black screen after x amount of time (I can/cannot hear sound).

You can try:

• Check that your game/pc isn't crashing. (Ctrl + Alt + Del)
  
• Lower your computers resolution to something smaller than what it is currently. (i.e: original resolution: 1920x1080, lowered resolution: 1280x720).
  
• Run the game in Windowed Mode.
  
• Update your Graphics Card Drivers
  
• Verify Game Cache
  
• Reinstall Garrys Mod
  
• Reinstall Steam

[13]I cannot host a game for me and my friends!

You can try:

• Typing "p2p_enabled 1" into the developers console.
  
• Forward the ports on your router: Start; 27000, End: 27050, Protocol: TCP/UDP and start a listen server (the server you can make in the singleplayer option in the menu)
  
• Use Hamachi[secure.logmein.com] or Evolve[www.evolvehq.com]
  
• Using the ports you had forwarded earlier, host a SteamCMD server (advanced, avoid it if you are not experienced)

[14]I'm not receiving time-based achievements!

NOTE: The achievements do not count the Steam playtime, they count actual time you spent in-game.

You can try:

• Playing on a map/server for x time period
  
• Playing with no edited cvars (console commands). This includes sv_cheats 1 and many other game-modifying command.
  
• Playing without addons
  
• Verify Game Cache

[15]My game runs slowly / lags excessively!

You can try...

• Making sure you meet the minimal requirements to actually run the game.
  
• Lowering graphical details under Settings
  
• Closing any background applications (Browsers can really bog down performance!)
  
• Going Fullscreen, if windowed prior.
  
• Unsubscribing from some of your heavier addons/addons that you don't use
  
• Unsubscribing from ALL of your addons

If this isn't enough, you can try these advanced tips:

• Run the game in DirectX 8 mode
  DirectX 8 is less demanding then DirectX 9. However, some features like changing materials with the material tool gun and gm_construct's water won't render properly. Set it by right-clicking Garry's Mod in the Library, and click properties. Click Set Launch Options, and type this in:
  

  -dxlevel 80

  Click OK and load Garry's Mod. To undo these changes, simply open Set Launch Options using the above method and clear the text box.
  
• Enable experimental performance boosts
  If your processor has multiple cores, you can try this option. In Garry's Mod, open console (hit ~ in-game), and type this in:
  

  gmod_mcore_test 1;mat_queue_mode 2

  Please note, these are experimental and may cause glitches / crashes.
  If this works out for you, you can configure Steam to apply it on game startup. Right-click Garry's Mod in your library, and click properties. Click Set Launch Options, and type this in:
  

  +gmod_mcore_test 1 +mat_queue_mode 2

  To undo these changes, simply open Set Launch Options using the above method and clear the text box.

[16]I get the error: 'Can't Find Background Image: materials/console/background01_widescreen.vtf'!

You can try...

• Download GCFScape here[nemesis.thewavelength.net]. Head over to your Garrys Mod root directory and open the garrysmod_dir.vpk file using GCFScape. Once the program has opened, you should see something like this[puu.sh]. Open the 'materials' folder, and then open the 'console' folder and copy the following files to your desktop:
  

  background01.vmt
  background01.vtf
  background01_widescreen.vmt
  background01_widescreen.vtf

  Once you have copied all the files, close GCFScape and head over to the root directory of your garrys mod folder. Enter the 'materials' folder and then create a new folder called 'console', making sure you type it exactly how I did, just without the apostrophes. Once you have created the folder, place the four files you copied earlier into the folder you had just created and start your game.
  
  Still not working?
  
  
• Delete the garrysmod_dir.vpk and Verify your Game Cache

[17]My Weapon Selection GUI is missing!

You can try...

• Disabling "Fast Weapon Switching" in the game options.

[18]I can't use my microphone ingame!

You can try...

• Entering "voice_enable 1" (without quote marks) into console and then go and do a quick microphone test under "Options > Voice" to check that you can hear yourself.
  
• WINDOWS: Check that you are using the correct microphone in windows (Sound Icon in the right side of the task bar, rightclick it and press Recording Devices)
  
• MAC: Check that you are using the correct microphone in OS X (learn how to do so here[support.apple.com])
  
• Verify Game Cache

[19]Missing maps disconnects me from the server!

You can try...

• Subscribing to the map through the workshop
  
• Unsubscribe from any of the same versions of the map that you have subscribed to
  
• Check that you are allowing all custom files to be downloaded from servers in:

  Options > Multiplayer > Allow All Custom Files

• Checking your maps folder and deleting the .bsp file of the map in question if it is there.
  
• Sometime maps come in .bz2 files, a compressable file format for faster downloads. delete this aswell if it exists under the map's name.

[20]I'm joining a server when I didn't join a server!

Note: You have most likely downloaded a backdoored addon.

You can try...

• Unsubscribing from ALL of your addons.
  
• Perform a clean reinstall of Garrys Mod by right clicking the game in your steam library, clicking properties, and pressing on the local files tab and clicking show local files. This should open your file explorer with garrys mod being shown. Then you can uninstall Garry's mod through steam and delete the remaining folder, then reinstalling the game.

[21]I'm getting the error "Cant start memory.c - !IsBadReadPtr(InPtr, InSize)"!

You can try...

• Uninstalling Overwolf if it is installed on your computer.
  
• Verify Game Cache
  
• Reinstall Garrys Mod

[22]Garry's Mod "No SteamUser" Error when loading up game

You can try:

• Check for Updates for Steam.
  
• Delete clientregistry.blob from Steam folder and restart Steam within C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam folder.
  
• Restart Steam
  
• Verify Game Cache
  
• Delete Local Content

[23]I'm having Steam Authentication/Addon errors!

• Restart gmod and steam
  
• Verify Game Cache
  
• Wait 5-10 minutes and try again

[24]My game crashes with the error "vertex buffer" or "d3d object". I'm on linux!

• Try installing the latest OpenGL package here[docs.oracle.com]
  
• Try installing DirectX clone

[25]Content File Locked

• Try removing or disabling any anti-virus that is present on your PC.
  
• Check if the missing content file (typically in the format of a .vpk) is existent on your PC. You can find this by identifying the file name and searching your game directories to see if you can find it.
  
• Check that it is not encrypted

[26]My screen is a missing texture/My screen is full of black and purple squares!

You can try:

• Verify Game Cache
  
• Disabling motion blur
  
• Unsubscribe from any post processing addons.

Good advice for making a good help thread:

I see a lot of threads that are asking for help relating to garrys mod, but a lot of them are lacking vital information which can help us fix your problem. Because of this, I'm going to teach you how to lay out a proper, well made help thread.

The Title:
Firstly, you need to give your thread a good title, telling us the exact problem, think of it as a brief explanation of your problem.

E.G: My game is crashing when I get to the facepunch logo.

Pasting any error messages into the title is not the best idea, as if the error is extremely long, then it can be a bit obnoxious. It's best to put the errors inside the thread, or maybe in a pastebin[pastebin.com] if the error is large in terms of length. This helps other people find the issue they can find it in google search and if there is a fix within the thread, they can find it. This helps cut down on duplicate threads.

The Description:
Secondly, you need to tell us in depth about your issue and some other vital information which will be covered in this section.
You need to tell us what your issue is, when it happens, what happens when it happens and if there are any messages that are created by the issue, if there is any message generated. We also need to know what you've already tried to fix it, how long it's been occuring for and, if possible, screenshots, videos or any other form of photographic demonstration displaying the issue.

Taking advice:

People are trying to help you, if they say something but also provide some information towards helping your issue, then just take the information and try it out. Sparking silly playground insult matches inside threads is a waste of everyones time. If there is someone causing an issue, report them using the flag in the top right of the message box and ignore them.

[Skream XVII]

bump

[IvanTheWolf]

Garry's Mod Workshop Content or Garry's Mod is downloading 0 / 0 Bytes

You can try:

• Waiting 1 - 2 Hours for the download to complete
  
• Verify Game Cache
  
• Reinstalling Garry's Mod

[swiss]

inQntrol is the mod we deserve.

[swiss]

Add this one on the list.

My addons don't appear in the game even I'm subscribed to it!

You can try

• Change your time/date to the current one.

I'll add more to the things you can try to fix the problem.

[Skream XVII]

Originally posted by T a m s #BDayIn2Weeks:

inQntrol is the mod we deserve.

[Skream XVII]

Will update post later, working right now

[swiss]

Originally posted by inQntrol:

Will update post later, working right now

Working on the Woomy x Tamara fanfic, eh?

[Skream XVII]

Originally posted by T a m s #BDayIn2Weeks:

Originally posted by inQntrol:

Will update post later, working right now

Working on the Woomy x Tamara fanfic, eh?

Pff no

[swiss]

Originally posted by inQntrol:

Originally posted by T a m s #BDayIn2Weeks:

Working on the Woomy x Tamara fanfic, eh?

Pff no

Please ffs Woomy has been spamming me to make the fanfic

[Skream XVII]

Originally posted by T a m s #BDayIn2Weeks:

Originally posted by inQntrol:

Pff no

Please ffs Woomy has been spamming me to make the fanfic

this thread is not the place to discuss this

[swiss]

Originally posted by inQntrol:

Originally posted by T a m s #BDayIn2Weeks:

Please ffs Woomy has been spamming me to make the fanfic

this thread is not the place to discuss this

Sorry fam, but please do it.
Okay fine, I'll stop.

[Skream XVII]

Originally posted by GMLAThe Rookie:

Garry's Mod Workshop Content or Garry's Mod is downloading 0 / 0 Bytes

You can try:

• Waiting 1 - 2 Hours for the download to complete
  
• Verify Game Cache
  
• Reinstalling Garry's Mod

Originally posted by T a m s #BDayIn2Weeks:

Add this one on the list.

My addons don't appear in the game even I'm subscribed to it!

You can try

• Change your time/date to the current one.

I'll add more to the things you can try to fix the problem.

Added.

[swiss]

Originally posted by Potato:

My game is crashing with/without error messages!

Your game should play well but it crashes for no reason, what do you do?
You can try:

• Verify Game Cache of Team Fortress 2, Library>Right-click on Team Fortress 2>Properties>Local Files>Verify Integrity of Game Cache.

That seems to work somehow if you have team fortress 2

>tf2
>we are in the gmod forums

[Skream XVII]

Originally posted by T a m s #BDayIn2Weeks:

Originally posted by Potato:

My game is crashing with/without error messages!

Your game should play well but it crashes for no reason, what do you do?
You can try:

• Verify Game Cache of Team Fortress 2, Library>Right-click on Team Fortress 2>Properties>Local Files>Verify Integrity of Game Cache.

That seems to work somehow if you have team fortress 2

>tf2
>we are in the gmod forums

he is right, that does work. added.

[Skream XVII]

Originally posted by Potato:

inQntrol you really are in control






get it?

i'll be inQntrol of you if you're not careful.