If you are running a FiveM server and see an error that looks something like:

“Error parsing script … < … >”

or

“Error parsing script <1>”

this can be confusing at first, especially if the resource worked fine before or you just installed it. Unlike entitlement errors, this one is usually not about ownership, but about how the script is being read and loaded by FiveM’s escrow system.

In this guide, I’ll explain what this error actually means, why it happens, and how you can fix it quickly without breaking your server.

In simple terms, this error means FiveM failed to read or decode part of an escrow-protected script.

When a resource uses FiveM escrow, some files are encrypted and verified during startup. If FiveM cannot correctly parse those files, the resource fails to load and throws a parsing error instead.

This is not a Lua syntax error you wrote yourself. It is almost always related to:

• Outdated server artifacts
• Modified escrow files
• Incomplete downloads
• File corruption during upload or extraction

Here are the most common causes behind the FiveM escrow parsing error.

Outdated FiveM Server Artifacts

This is the number one reason.

Escrow-protected scripts rely on newer FiveM builds to decrypt and read protected files properly. If your artifacts are old, the script simply cannot be parsed.

Many people unknowingly cause this error by:

• Opening escrow files in a code editor
• Adding prints or debug lines
• Formatting or auto-saving files

Once an escrow file is modified, FiveM will fail to parse it.

If the resource was:

• Uploaded via FTP with a failed transfer
• Partially extracted
• Zipped and unzipped incorrectly

Some encrypted files may be missing or damaged, triggering a parsing error.

Copying files from:

• An older version of the script
• Another server
• A different framework setup

can break escrow integrity and cause parsing failures.

Follow these steps in order. Do not skip steps.

Step 1: Update Your Server Artifacts

Go to the official FiveM artifacts page and update to the latest recommended build.

After updating:

• Stop the server
• Restart it fully
• Do not just restart the resource

This alone fixes most escrow parsing errors.

Do not reuse old backups.

Download the script again from:

• The CFX Portal

Then upload it cleanly to your server.

Some users have reported that FileZilla can occasionally corrupt or partially upload escrow-protected files, which may result in parsing or loading errors in FiveM.

What to do instead:

• Use WinSCP to upload your script to the VPS or hosting
• Upload the script in binary mode
• Make sure the upload completes fully before starting the server

Using WinSCP reduces the risk of broken escrow files and helps ensure the script loads correctly.