How to Fix Assetto Corsa “Download Missing Content” Not Working

If you’re a fan of high-speed racing simulations, there’s a good chance you’ve spent time on Assetto Corsa. Developed by Kunos Simulazioni, it’s considered one of the most realistic racing games available today. But like with any PC game that thrives on community-created content such as mods, tracks, and cars, players may occasionally stumble upon frustrating errors. One such infamous and stubborn issue is the dreaded “Download Missing Content” not working error.

TL;DR

The “Download Missing Content” error in Assetto Corsa usually happens when you’re trying to join a multiplayer lobby that uses mods or content you don’t have installed. It might pop up due to missing tracks, cars, or problematic mod downloads. The fix typically involves checking your installed content, ensuring Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) is up to date, verifying your game path, or manually installing content. With the right tools and troubleshooting steps, the issue can be resolved quickly and get you back on track.

What Causes the “Download Missing Content” Error?

This error often appears when trying to join an online server that uses custom mods—most commonly custom cars or tracks. When this content is absent on your setup, Content Manager attempts to download it automatically. But sometimes, that download fails to initialize properly, leaving players stuck without a clear explanation.

• Broken mod links from the server
• Outdated software like Content Manager or Custom Shaders Patch
• Incorrect installation paths for the game or its mod files
• Permission issues with file writing/access

Step-by-Step Fixes for the Issue

Fortunately, there are several practical fixes you can apply to solve the “Download Missing Content” not working problem in Assetto Corsa:

1. Update Content Manager & Custom Shaders Patch

The first step to resolving most mod-related problems is making sure all tools are current. Many online servers require the latest version of both tools.

• Open Content Manager
• Go to Settings > Content Manager > Updates
• Download and install the latest Custom Shaders Patch under Custom Shaders Patch > About

This alone often resolves issues with downloading mods, as newer CSP versions improve mod handling and compatibility.

2. Double Check Your AC Installation Path

Sometimes, Content Manager might be pointing to the wrong directory. If it’s not directed at the correct Assetto Corsa root folder, then any content you attempt to download will not be installed, or worse—won’t be downloaded at all.

• Go to Settings > Content Manager > Assetto Corsa
• Verify the installation path. If incorrect, click “…” and manually select your Assetto Corsa root directory (commonly in steamapps/common/assettocorsa)

Click “Save” after correcting the path and reboot Content Manager to see if the issue is resolved.

3. Manually Download the Missing Content

If automatic downloads are failing, the safest route is a manual one. Find out which mods are being used by the server, and then manually download and install them.

How to do it:

1. Join the server (even if the download fails)
2. Note or take a screenshot of the missing content warning
3. Search for the named content via known modding sites like RaceDepartment or ACMods
4. Download and extract the mod folders to the correct locations:
• Tracks: assettocorsa/content/tracks
• Cars: assettocorsa/content/cars
5. Restart Content Manager and rejoin the server

4. Run Content Manager As Administrator

Sometimes, permission issues prevent CM from writing downloaded files to the correct locations. Running Content Manager with elevated privileges can fix this.

To run as Admin:

• Right-click on the Content Manager shortcut
• Select Properties
• Go to Compatibility tab
• Check Run this program as an administrator

Launch CM again and try re-downloading the missing content.

5. Check If The Server Content Is Locked or Corrupt

In some cases, the server itself might be set up incorrectly. If the mod links hosted on the server’s backend are broken or if mod files are protected, downloading will fail.

To verify this:

• Try joining a different server with similar mod content
• If the same error doesn’t occur elsewhere, the issue is likely server-side
• If you’re running your own server, verify that all files are correctly hosted and accessible, and not password-locked or permission-restricted

6. Check Your Antivirus or Firewall

Security tools like antivirus software or Windows Defender Firewall may block Content Manager from reaching mod download sources. Temporarily allow exceptions for these programs.

Steps:

1. Open your antivirus or Windows Firewall settings
2. Add an exception for Content Manager.exe and AssettoCorsa.exe
3. Also make sure that HTTPS and HTTP connections from CM aren’t being blocked

Try rejoining the server after making these changes.

7. Delete Cache and Temporary Files

Cache files from failed or partial downloads can cause recurring errors when CM repeatedly tries to process them. You can delete these safely without harming your install.

• Navigate to Documents/Assetto Corsa/Logs and delete old log files
• Go to Content Manager > Settings > Storage, and clear old cached downloads

After this cleanup, restart the game and check if the issue persists.

Preventing the Error in the Future

To minimize the chances of running into this error again, consider the following tips:

• Always keep Content Manager and Custom Shaders Patch up-to-date
• Favor servers with complete mod package links or auto-downloads
• Join community Discords for mod-sharing and quick file access
• Organize your mods using folders or Content Manager’s mod manager features

Still Not Working? Try Reinstalling Content Manager

If you’ve tried everything and the issue still sticks around, consider reinstalling Content Manager. Back up your settings first (found in Documents/Assetto Corsa/Content Manager), then delete all CM-related files and redownload it from the official source or trusted community links. A clean installation often clears hidden issues.

Final Thoughts

The immersive and mod-heavy joy of Assetto Corsa sometimes comes with the headache of broken downloads and incomplete content. The “Download Missing Content” feature is a helpful tool when working, but when it fails, it can take some effort to fix. Thankfully, using the fixes above—from manual mod installs to verifying your setup—should have your game back on track.

Happy racing, and remember to always keep a backup of your favorite mods!