Fix Social Club Code 16 Error
There is only one permanent working solution for the Code 16 Social Club error associated with GTA5 games that have been reverted or downgraded. It is an asi bypass mod and it can be downloaded here:
Issuer Check Bypass Against SocialClub
Background
A Rockstar update in April 2023 caused a Code 16 Social club error. It only affected games that had been downgraded (reverted to a previous version of GTA5). There was incredible misinformation posted about this issue, on forums and on Youtube videos. Mostly regarding temporary or illusionary solutions involving installing old launchers (RGL), old social club installers (RGSC), blocking internet access through a firewall, or disconnecting completely from the net. None of these will work permanently, if at all.
We knew at the start, from Rockstar official pages, that the Code 16 was caused by RGSC due to what they termed an "incomplete installation". From my own hours trying for a workaround, I can vouch that fixing this issue could be done, at least on Steam, by updating one file, and only one file was necessary, and that was GTA5.exe. At the time I mistakenly assumed R* had done this intentionally, not to stop modding, but to ensure all GTA5 games were kept updated. I was only partially right. Ironically Rockstar had made this verification easier, not harder, as posted by @alloc8or. Unfortunately easier may have been well intentioned for vanilla games, but it broke all reverted games, no longer loading unless updated.
The Solution for Reverted Games
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The best and easiest solution is to install the Issuer Check Bypass Against SocialClub mod. Not the most appropriately descriptive name - it doesn't mention Code 16 - but it does exactly what's stated and does it perfectly (in 99% of cases based on comments).
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Update your game. I initially did this before installing the bypass mod above. In my case the only issue I had was with map collisions, but unfortunately there were dozens of maps to fix. I fixed all the major ones, started to fix many minor ones, and then realized it just wasn't worth it. By this time the bypass mod had proven itself to be the best solution. One good thing is that the maps I fixed will work reverted or updated. How to Update Easily.
The Solution for non Reverted
This particular code 16 error is associated with reverted versions of
GTA5.exe and nothing else. If your vanilla game or updated modded games
throw a Code 16 at you it is unlikely the bypass mod will work for you.
Something else is at play. In those cases, and honestly I've only seen
one case since modding GTA5, you should try the remedies offered here:
Note: The bypass mod above is an excellent solution. So don't waste your time with trying to block or downgrade the RGL (which isn't the culprit) or the RGSC (which is to blame). Worst of all, don't install cracked versions of either file - you might get much more than you bargained for in the form of malware. It's not always a false positive.
