Stuck on the loading screen in GTA 4? You're not alone. The infinite loading screen issue is a common problem that many players face—especially after modding or reinstalling the game. Whether GTA IV just won’t open or gets stuck while loading the story mode this 100% working method will help you fix it easily and get back into Liberty City.
What Causes the Infinite Loading Screen in GTA 4
This issue is usually caused by missing files corrupted settings incompatible mods or a bad installation. In some cases the problem can also happen due to Games for Windows Live (GFWL) conflicts or incorrect save files. Luckily there are tested methods that fix this problem permanently without needing to reinstall your whole game.
How To Fix
- Go to your GTA IV save game folder: Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA IV.
- Delete the files inside the Settings and Savegames folders (optional but recommended).
- Download and install the Game Mod Files From This Link: Click Here.
- Place the xlive.dll file into your GTA IV root folder where GTAIV.exe is located.
- Delete or rename dsound.dll if you're using an outdated ScriptHook or mod.
- Set the game to run in compatibility mode for Windows 7 and run as administrator.
- If you're using Steam verify game integrity through Steam’s “Local Files” tab.
- Disable all third-party overlays like MSI Afterburner or Rivatuner.
- Try launching the game again—this time it should skip the infinite load.
- Optional: Use a 1.0.7.0 or 1.0.4.0 patch if you're using mods for better stability.
Conclusion
With these quick and proven steps your GTA 4 infinite loading screen issue should now be completely fixed. Whether it was caused by GFWL a bad mod or corrupted settings this method gets the game running again smoothly. Now you can enjoy GTA IV without the frustration—back in action back in Liberty City!
