MTA:SA fix

GTA fails to open or crashes before MTA starts

If GTA single player also fails, test its saved preferences before changing MTA resources.

Codes on this page: CL08

Steps

Try one step, then check whether the problem is still there. Follow any "only if" line before changing a setting.

1. Try GTA single player from the same folder

   Open the game executable in the GTA installation MTA uses. If single player works, do not reset its settings just because one server fails.

2. Back up and rename only the preferences file

   Only if GTA single player also fails to open.

   Only if GTA itself fails to open, close the game and find gta_sa.set in Documents → GTA San Andreas User Files. Rename that file to a backup name so GTA can create fresh preferences on its next launch.

   Careful: This resets game preferences. Preserve the backup and leave your saved-game files untouched.

3. Test GTA, exit it, then test MTA

   If GTA opens with new preferences, choose a supported resolution and exit normally before launching MTA. If it still fails, keep your backup and follow any specific missing-file or runtime error instead of deleting more settings.

Other problems like this

• CL29: client integrity warning at launch
• Another MTA or GTA instance is already running
• MTA data files or core.dll are missing
• MSVCR, VCRUNTIME or core.dll cannot load
• D3DX9 DLL is missing
• CC50: Direct3D9 could not initialize
• CL02: MTA cannot copy update files
• CL22: MTA could not start GTA:SA

Every MTA:SA error code · Crash codes and offsets