How to Add MLO Maps to a FiveM Server (Interiors and Map Resources)

To add an MLO or custom map to a FiveM server, upload the map resource into resources (for example resources/[maps]/my_mlo) with its .ymap, .ytyp, .ydr, .ybn and .ytd files in a stream folder and an fxmanifest.lua containing this_is_a_map 'yes'. Add ensure my_mlo to server.cfg and restart. If the map needs newer GTA content, set sv_enforceGameBuild to the build it asks for, and never run two maps that occupy the same spot.

What you are working with

An MLO (from "milo", the game's interior format) is a real walk in interior, like a police station, hospital or nightclub, placed somewhere in Los Santos. Exterior map edits like new roads or a rebuilt block use the same file types, so everything here applies to them too.

Before you start

• Back up the server, and note your current server.cfg.
• Check the game build. The map's page usually says which game build it needs, for example a build from a recent GTA Online update. Write it down.
• Check the location. Find out where the MLO sits. If you already run a map at the same spot, you need to choose one.
• Check the size. Big MLOs are hundreds of megabytes of textures that every player downloads on first join.

Step 1: Check the resource layout

Unzip the download. A ready to use map resource looks like this:

my_mlo/
  fxmanifest.lua
  stream/
    my_mlo.ymap
    my_mlo.ytyp
    my_mlo_shell.ydr
    my_mlo_col.ybn
    my_mlo_textures.ytd

If the folder you unzipped holds another folder with the same name inside, the inner one is the resource.

Step 2: Check the manifest

Open fxmanifest.lua. A map resource needs at least:

fx_version 'cerulean'
game 'gta5'

this_is_a_map 'yes'

data_file 'DLC_ITYP_REQUEST' 'stream/my_mlo.ytyp'

this_is_a_map 'yes' tells FiveM to treat the resource as map data and reload the map store when it starts, per the resource manifest reference. The data_file 'DLC_ITYP_REQUEST' line registers each .ytyp. Most MLOs ship with both lines already. Add a data_file line for every .ytyp in stream if one is missing, or the objects it defines stay invisible.

Step 3: Upload and ensure

Upload the resource into a [maps] category folder inside resources, then add it to server.cfg:

ensure my_mlo

Or start every map at once with ensure [maps]. Maps do not depend on scripts, so they can go near the top of your ensure list. Restart the server.

Step 4: Set the game build if the map needs it

Many modern MLOs use props from GTA Online updates. FiveM only loads that content if the server tells clients which game build to use. Add this to server.cfg, with the build the map asks for:

sv_enforceGameBuild 3407

The server commands reference lists the builds, from older ones up to 3889 (The Kortz Center Heist). Each build includes everything before it, so one setting covers all your maps: use the highest build any of them needs. It can only be set at startup, so restart after changing it. Players download the matching game data the first time they join after a change.

Two maps in the same place break each other

This is what goes wrong on servers that collect MLOs. Every MLO is placed at fixed coordinates, and many replace the same popular spots: Mission Row police station, Pillbox hospital, Legion Square, the Vanilla Unicorn. Run two maps that occupy the same space and you get flickering walls, missing floors, doors to nowhere, or one map silently winning.

The same goes for interior loaders. Resources that load GTA's own hidden interiors (IPL loaders such as bob74_ipl) can turn on a vanilla interior right where your MLO sits. Most MLO pages say if they need an IPL disabled, and many loaders have a config option to switch individual interiors off.

To find a conflict, stop map resources one at a time with stop my_mlo in the console and look at the spot in game. Keep one map per location.

Common problems

• Interior missing entirely: the resource is not started, the .ymap is not in stream, or the folder is nested too deep. Check the console for Started resource my_mlo.
• Walls visible but objects invisible: a .ytyp is not registered with data_file 'DLC_ITYP_REQUEST'.
• Falling through the floor: collision files (.ybn) are missing from stream, or another map overlaps this one.
• Grey or missing textures: the map needs a newer game build than sv_enforceGameBuild is set to, or a texture .ytd is missing.
• Players crash while loading in: too many heavy maps, or one oversized texture dictionary. Remove the newest map and test again.
• Long first join: large MLOs add hundreds of megabytes. Players only download them once.

Adding maps on GamezServers

On a GamezServers FiveM server, upload map resources as a zip in the Files tab and extract them there, or use the SFTP login in Settings for big packs, then edit server.cfg in the browser and restart from txAdmin. Press Backup before adding a batch of maps. RAM matters for big map packs, so roleplay servers with many MLOs usually sit on 12 GB or more. For cars, see how to add cars to a FiveM server.

FAQ

What is an MLO in FiveM?

A custom interior you can walk into, placed in the GTA V map, such as a police station or a club. It is installed as a map resource with files in a stream folder.

Where do I put MLO files on a FiveM server?

In their own resource folder inside resources, with the map files in stream and an fxmanifest.lua that has this_is_a_map 'yes', then ensure it in server.cfg.

Do players need to download MLOs?

Yes, but FiveM does it automatically when they join. Big maps make the first join slower.

Why is my MLO flickering or missing walls?

Usually another map, or an IPL loader, uses the same location. Keep one map per spot.