Fix FiveM Server Banner Not Showing

If your FiveM server banner isn’t showing up on the server list or in the client, it’s usually a problem with the image file, the URL, or how the server is configured. This guide walks you through the most common causes and fixes, from checking the image format to verifying your server.cfg settings.

What You’ll Need

• Access to your server’s files (via FTP, a control panel, or a local directory)
• A text editor (like Notepad++ or VS Code) to edit the server.cfg file
• An image editing tool (like Paint, GIMP, or an online resizer) to prepare the banner image
• A way to upload files to your server (FTP client, web panel, or similar)

Step-by-Step

1. Check the image file format. FiveM requires the banner to be a PNG file. If your image is a JPG, GIF, or WebP, convert it to PNG using any image editor or online converter.
2. Verify the image dimensions. The recommended banner size is 960×300 pixels. While FiveM may accept other sizes, using the recommended dimensions ensures it displays correctly without stretching or cropping. Use an image editor to resize your image to exactly 960×300.
3. Rename the file. The banner file must be named exactly banner.png. If it’s named anything else (e.g., mybanner.png), the server won’t find it.
4. Upload the banner to the correct folder. Place the banner.png file in the main server directory (the same folder that contains the server.cfg file). Do not put it in a subfolder unless you adjust the path in the config.
5. Check the server.cfg configuration. Open your server.cfg file and look for a line that sets the banner. It should look like this:
   sets banner_detail "https://example.com/banner.png"
   If the line is missing, add it. If it’s there, make sure the URL points to the correct location where your banner is hosted.
6. Host the banner on a public URL. The banner must be accessible via a direct HTTPS URL (not just a local file path). Upload the banner.png to a hosting service like Imgur, a web server, or your own domain, and copy the direct link to the image. The URL must end with .png.
7. Update the URL in server.cfg. Replace the existing URL with your new direct link. For example:
   sets banner_detail "https://i.imgur.com/abc123.png"
   Make sure there are no extra spaces or characters.
8. Save and restart the server. After making changes, save the server.cfg file and restart your FiveM server completely. A simple restart is required for the changes to take effect.
9. Clear the client cache. If the banner still doesn’t show, clear the FiveM cache on your client. Navigate to %LocalAppData%\FiveM on Windows, and delete the cache folder (or the server-cache folder for specific servers). Restart the FiveM client.

Common Mistakes

• Using a local file path (like C:\banner.png) instead of a public URL. FiveM cannot access local files from the client side.
• Incorrect file name – the file must be exactly banner.png (lowercase).
• Wrong image format – using JPG or GIF instead of PNG.
• Missing the sets banner_detail line in server.cfg – the server doesn’t know where to look for the banner.
• Using HTTP instead of HTTPS – some clients block insecure HTTP links. Always use HTTPS if possible.
• Uploading the banner to the wrong folder – if you’re using a local file path (which is not recommended), the file must be in the server’s root directory.

Tips

• Use a reliable image hosting service that supports direct links and HTTPS. Imgur, Postimages, or your own web hosting are good options.
• Test the URL in a browser before adding it to the config. If the image loads in a browser, it will likely work in FiveM.
• Keep the banner file size under 1MB to avoid slow loading times.
• If you’re using a server management panel (like TxAdmin), it may have a dedicated field for the banner URL – use that instead of editing the config manually.
• After changing the banner, ask a friend (or use a different client) to check if it appears – sometimes the cache on your own client can be stubborn.

Troubleshooting

If the banner still isn’t showing after following the steps above, try these additional checks:

• Check the server console for errors. When the server starts, look for any messages about the banner. If there’s a URL error, the server might not be able to fetch the image.
• Verify the URL is accessible. Open the URL in a private/incognito browser window. If it doesn’t load, the hosting service might be blocking hotlinking or the link is broken.
• Try a different image host. Some hosts block direct hotlinking or have unusual URL structures. Try uploading the image to a different service.
• Check the server.cfg syntax. Make sure the line is exactly sets banner_detail "URL" – note the s in sets (it’s not set). Also, ensure there are no typos or missing quotes.
• Test with a default image. Use a simple, known-good image (like a placeholder from a tutorial) to see if the issue is with your specific image file.
• Confirm the server is fully restarted. Some hosting panels require a full stop and start, not just a restart, to apply config changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my banner show on some clients but not others?

This is usually a caching issue. The clients that don’t see the banner may have an old cached version. Clearing the FiveM cache on those clients usually fixes it.

Can I use a GIF for the banner?

No, FiveM only supports PNG images for the server banner. Animated banners are not supported.

What is the exact size for the banner?

The recommended size is 960×300 pixels. Using other sizes may cause the image to be cropped or stretched.

Do I need to put the banner in a specific folder on the server?

No, if you’re using a URL (which is the recommended method), the banner can be hosted anywhere. If you’re using a local file path (not recommended), the file must be in the server’s root directory.

My banner works on the server list but not in the server details page. Why?

This can happen if the image is too large (over 1MB) or if the URL is slow to load. Try compressing the image and using a faster hosting service.

Can I use a banner from a different server?

Yes, you can use any image URL as long as it’s a direct link to a PNG file. However, it’s best to use your own image to avoid copyright issues.

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