GTA Radio: How to Change Stations & Music

Updated 5 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide covers everything you need to know about changing radio stations and managing music in Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) and GTA Online. You’ll learn the controls for every platform, how to set up your own custom radio station using the in-game files, and how to fix common issues like missing songs or a silent radio.

What You’ll Need

A copy of GTA 5 (any platform: PC, PlayStation, or Xbox).
For custom music: a PC with the game installed and access to the game’s installation folder.
MP3 audio files you want to add (for custom radio).

Step-by-Step

Changing Radio Stations While Driving

Enter any vehicle that has a radio (most cars, motorcycles, boats, and aircraft).
Press the radio cycle button repeatedly to switch between stations. The default controls are:
- PC: Press the X key (or hold to scroll through a list).
- PlayStation: Press the D-pad Left or D-pad Right (left goes to previous, right goes to next).
- Xbox: Press the D-pad Left or D-pad Right.
To turn the radio off, press the cycle button until you reach the “Radio Off” option (usually after the last station).
To change the volume of the radio, use the in-game settings menu: go to Settings â†’ Audio â†’ Radio Volume.

Using the Radio Wheel (PC Only)

While in a vehicle, press and hold the X key on PC.
A circular menu appears showing all available radio stations.
Move your mouse to highlight a station and release the key to select it.
You can also use the mouse wheel to scroll through stations quickly.

Adding Your Own Music (Custom Radio Station)

On PC, you can create a custom radio station that plays your own MP3 files.

Locate your GTA 5 installation folder. By default, it’s C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\Grand Theft Auto V (or wherever you installed it).
Inside the main folder, find the folder named User Music. If it doesn’t exist, create it.
Copy your MP3 files into the User Music folder. The game supports .mp3, .wma, and .m4a formats.
Launch GTA 5 and go to Settings â†’ Audio.
Set Auto Scan User Music to On. The game will scan the folder and add the songs to a new radio station called Self Radio.
While in a vehicle, cycle through stations until you find Self Radio. It will play your added tracks.

Controlling Music During Missions or in GTA Online

In GTA Online, you can change radio stations the same way as in story mode (D-pad or X key).
Some properties (like the Nightclub) have their own music. You can change it by interacting with the DJ or the music player near the dance floor.
In the interaction menu (hold M on PC, or press and hold the touchpad on PlayStation / View button on Xbox), you can adjust radio settings for your personal vehicles. Go to Vehicle â†’ Radio to set a default station or turn it off.

Common Mistakes

Pressing the wrong key: On PC, the default is X, but some players remap it. Check your key bindings in Settings â†’ Key Bindings.
Not in a vehicle: The radio only works when you are inside a vehicle with a radio. Walking on foot won’t play music.
Radio off: Sometimes the radio is off because you pressed the cycle button too many times. Keep pressing until you hear music.
Custom music not showing: If you put MP3s in the User Music folder but don’t enable Auto Scan, the game won’t detect them. Also, the files must be in a supported format.
Volume set to zero: Check the radio volume in the audio settings; it might be muted.

Tips

In GTA 5, each radio station has a unique host and genre. Explore them all to find your favorites.
You can set a specific radio station as the default for all vehicles by going to Settings â†’ Audio â†’ Radio Station.
On PC, you can use the Self Radio station to create a playlist of your own songs, which is great for long drives.
In GTA Online, you can buy a vehicle with a custom radio (like the Nightclub’s DJ) to change the music in your club.
If you want to listen to music while on foot, you can use the in-game phone’s internet to play a web radio, but it’s not the same as the vehicle radio.

Troubleshooting

No sound from the radio: First, check the game’s audio settings to ensure radio volume is not zero. Then, try turning the radio off and on. If the issue persists, restart the game.
Custom radio station not appearing: Make sure the User Music folder is in the correct location (the main GTA 5 folder, not the Documents folder). Also, verify that the files are MP3 or WMA and not corrupted. After adding files, restart the game completely.
Radio stations skip or stutter: This can happen with custom music if the files are too large or the game is struggling to load them. Try converting the files to a lower bitrate (128 kbps) and ensure they are not DRM-protected.
Radio changes on its own: This happens when the game’s “Auto Scan” feature is on and it’s detecting new files. Turn off Auto Scan in settings if you don’t want this.
Radio controls not working: Check if your controller/keyboard is properly connected. If you’re using a controller, try switching to keyboard and vice versa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I listen to the radio while walking?

No, the radio only plays inside vehicles. However, you can use the in-game phone to play music from the internet, but it’s not the same as the radio.

How do I add my own music to GTA 5 on console?

On PlayStation and Xbox, you cannot add custom music to the radio. You can only use the built-in stations. On PC, you can use the User Music folder as described above.

What audio formats does Self Radio support?

Self Radio supports MP3, WMA, and M4A files. It’s best to use MP3 with a bitrate of 128-320 kbps for optimal performance.

Why is my radio silent even though the volume is up?

This can happen if the game’s audio files are corrupted. Try verifying the game files through your game launcher (Steam, Epic, or Rockstar Launcher).

Can I change the radio station in a mission?

Yes, you can change the radio station anytime you’re in a vehicle, including during missions. However, some scripted missions may temporarily disable the radio.

Is there a way to turn off the radio completely?

Yes, cycle through stations until you reach “Radio Off”. Alternatively, you can set the radio volume to zero in the audio settings.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.