Assetto Corsa Is Obsolete - V1163 Is Required Fix

Fixing the "Assetto Corsa is Obsolete – v1163 is Required" Error: A Complete Guide

If you are a sim racer who has spent countless hours modding Assetto Corsa, you have likely encountered a frustrating roadblock: a pop-up window declaring, "Assetto Corsa is obsolete: v1163 is required to join this server."

This error appears deceptively simple but can be a nightmare to troubleshoot. It prevents you from joining online races, locks you out of leagues, and makes it seem like your game is permanently broken.

In this article, we will break down exactly what this error means, why it happens even when you think your game is up to date, and—most importantly—provide a step-by-step fix to get you back on the track.

4. Check Community Fixes or Patches

The Assetto Corsa community might have developed fixes or patches for common issues.

  • Forums and Community Guides: Visit the official forums or community guides on sites like Reddit or the Assetto Corsa subreddit.

2) Update through Steam (recommended)

  1. Open Steam.
  2. Library → right‑click Assetto Corsa → Properties → Updates.
  3. Ensure “Automatically keep this game up to date” is selected.
  4. In Library, select Assetto Corsa and click Play (Steam will download any available update).
  5. Restart Steam after the update completes.

Title: On the Obsolescence of Assetto Corsa and the Critical Need for Version 1163 (Required Fix)

Final Verdict: Is Assetto Corsa Actually Obsolete?

Despite the error message’s harsh wording, no—Assetto Corsa is not obsolete. In fact, five years after v1163 was released, AC has more active weekly players than many modern sims. The error is simply a legacy handshake protocol from 2018.

By following the steps above—nuking the install, manually replacing steam_api.dll, and correctly configuring Content Manager—you will silence the "v1163 required" error forever. Keep racing, keep modding, and never let a version mismatch keep you off the grid.

Need more help? Drop a comment below with your specific mod list and CSP version. The fix is almost always one of the five steps above.

Assetto Corsa remains a titan in the sim-racing world, but its reliance on community mods like Content Manager (CM) and Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) can sometimes lead to confusing errors. One of the most persistent issues users encounter is the message: "Assetto Corsa is obsolete (v1.16.3 is required)."

This guide explains why this error happens and provides every verified fix to get you back on the track. Why Does This Error Happen?

While the message sounds like your game is outdated, it is often a false flag or a version mismatch within your modding tools.

Version Mismatch: Some mods or versions of Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) are hard-coded to check for version 1.16.3.

Minor Steam Updates: Steam occasionally pushes tiny "0-byte" updates that change file timestamps or metadata, leading Content Manager to believe your version is no longer the standard 1.16.3.

Corrupted Manifests: The changelog.txt or acs.pdb files, which the game uses to identify its version, can become desynced or corrupted. Top Fixes for "Assetto Corsa is Obsolete" 1. The Quick Text Edit (The "Changelog Trick")

The most effective and common fix is to manually tell the game it is running the correct version by editing its internal text file.

Navigate to your Assetto Corsa root folder (usually SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\assettocorsa). Locate the file named changelog.txt. Open it with Notepad.

Look at the very top of the document. If it says anything other than 1.16.3 (e.g., 1.16.4), change that number back to 1.16.3. Save the file and restart Content Manager. 2. Verify Steam Game Files

If a file like acs.exe or acs.pdb is genuinely corrupted, Steam can repair it automatically. Open your Steam Library. Right-click Assetto Corsa > Properties. Go to the Installed Files tab. Click Verify integrity of game files.

Note: This may reset some core game modifications, but your car and track mods in the content folder will remain safe. 3. Update Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) assetto corsa is obsolete v1163 is required fix

Older versions of CSP may trigger "obsolete" errors when trying to run newer mods. Open Content Manager. Go to Settings > Custom Shaders Patch > About & Updates.

On the right-hand side, look for the list of available versions.

Select a newer version (e.g., 0.1.79 or a Preview version) and let it install. 4. Replace the acs.pdb File

Some community members have found that the acs.pdb file is the specific culprit for versioning errors.

If you have a friend with a working version of the game, ask them to send you their acs.pdb file from the root directory and replace your own.

Alternatively, deleting this file and then performing a Steam Verification (as mentioned in Fix #2) will force Steam to download a fresh, correct version. 5. Enable 32-bit Mode (Last Resort)

If the game refuses to launch at all, toggling the architecture can sometimes bypass version-check crashes.

In Content Manager, go to Settings > Content Manager > Drive. Check the box for "Use 32-bit version".

Try to launch a race. If it works, try unchecking it again to see if the error has cleared. Summary of Version 1.16.3

This report investigates the common error message " Assetto Corsa

is obsolete (v1.16.3 is required)", a paradox where users running newer versions (e.g., v1.16.4) are told their game is outdated. The "Obsolete" Error: Why It Happens

The error typically stems from a version mismatch between Content Manager (CM) and the Assetto Corsa (AC) base game.

Minor Updates: Sometimes the base game receives a very minor official update (like v1.16.4) that third-party tools like Content Manager or Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) do not immediately recognize or expect.

Mod Compatibility: Certain car or track mods have a hardcoded requirement for v1.16.3 and trigger this warning if they detect any other version number. Recommended Fixes 1. The "Changelog" Text Trick (Most Effective)

This is the most popular community fix for "faking" the required version number so the software proceeds.

Navigate to your Assetto Corsa root folder (usually SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\assettocorsa). Locate the file named changelog.txt.

Open it and change the top version number (likely 1.16.4) back to 1.16.3. Save the file and restart Content Manager. 2. Update or Reinstall Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) Fixing the "Assetto Corsa is Obsolete – v1163

Many users encounter this because their version of CSP is outdated or improperly installed.

Open Content Manager, go to Settings > Custom Shaders Patch > About & Update.

Select a newer recommended version (e.g., v0.1.79 or higher) from the list to force an update.

If the "Install" button is missing or broken, manually create an extension folder in your AC root directory, followed by an installed folder inside it. 3. Verify Integrity via Steam

If the base game files are genuinely corrupted or missing a minor update: Right-click Assetto Corsa in your Steam Library.

Select Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files.

This will reset official files to the correct state, though you may need to re-apply the "Changelog" fix afterward if the error persists. Assetto Corsa Requirements Summary Minimum Requirement Recommended OS Windows 7 SP1 / 10 Windows 10 / 11 CPU Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz Intel Quad-Core / AMD Six-Core RAM GPU NVIDIA GeForce GT 460 NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD R9 290X Storage 30 GB (SSD recommended)

Are you seeing this error while trying to join a specific server, or does it happen as soon as you launch the game? Installed Custom Shaders Patch is obsolete - OverTake.gg

This message appears to be a technical error or mod requirement notice for the racing simulation game Assetto Corsa.

Here’s a breakdown and review of what it likely means:

Translation of the error:
The game or a mod is telling you that your current version of Assetto Corsa is “obsolete” (outdated) and that you specifically need version 1.16.3 installed to proceed.

Key points:

  • Version 1.16.3 is a real, final official update for Assetto Corsa (the 2014 game by Kunos Simulazioni).
  • Many third-party mods, especially Car Tuner / Car Tuner Pro, Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) with certain requirements, or encrypted mod cars, check for this exact game version.
  • If you’re on Steam, your game should already be on 1.16.3 automatically (unless you deliberately disabled updates or are using a pirated/cracked copy on an older version).

Likely causes of the error:

  1. Pirated copy – Many cracked versions are based on older builds (e.g., 1.15.x) and don’t match 1.16.3.
  2. Steam offline mode – Sometimes Steam fails to update the executable properly.
  3. Manual install conflict – A mod overwrote the acs.exe with an older version.
  4. Corrupted installation – Missing or mismatched game files.

Fixes to try:

  1. Verify game files on Steam (Right-click Assetto Corsa → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity).
  2. Check acs.exe properties → Details → File version should be 1.16.3.
  3. Reinstall the game if verification doesn’t work.
  4. Avoid “no-steam” cracks – They almost always trigger this error.

Bottom line:
The error is legitimate and correct – the game needs 1.16.3. If you own a legal Steam copy, verifying files will fix it. If you’re using an unofficial version, the “fix” is to buy the game (often on sale for ~$5). The message itself is not a bug; it’s a version check doing its job.

Assetto Corsa is obsolete (v1.16.3 is required)" error is a common glitch in Content Manager (CM). It typically occurs because CM fails to recognize a minor game update (like v1.16.4) as valid, or because the Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) is misinterpreting the base game's version. 🛠️ Top Fixes 1. The "Changelog" Trick (Quickest Fix)

This is the most reliable manual bypass. It tricks Content Manager into seeing the version it expects without actually changing any game files. Forums and Community Guides: Visit the official forums

Go to your Assetto Corsa root folder (usually SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\assettocorsa). Find the file named changelog.txt.

Open it with Notepad and find the very first line (the latest version). If it says 1.16.4 or anything else, change it to 1.16.3. Save the file and restart Content Manager. 2. Update or Reinstall CSP

The error often triggers when the Custom Shaders Patch version is incompatible with the detected game version. Open Content Manager. Go to Settings > Custom Shaders Patch > About & Updates.

Select a different version (newer or older) from the list to force an update.

If the install button is broken, try creating a folder named extensions in your root AC directory, then a folder named installed inside that before trying again. 3. Verify Steam Game Files

If the base game actually is outdated or has corrupted version files, Steam can repair it. Right-click Assetto Corsa in your Steam Library. Select Properties > Installed Files. Click Verify integrity of game files. 💡 Pro Tips Installed Custom Shaders Patch is obsolete - OverTake.gg

The error message "Assetto Corsa is obsolete (v1.16.3 is required)" is a common issue typically encountered when using Content Manager (CM) and the Custom Shaders Patch (CSP). This error usually occurs because a game update (often a minor one like v1.16.4) confuses the modding software, which expects exactly version 1.16.3. Immediate Solutions

Ignore the Message: In many cases, the game and its mods will still function perfectly despite the warning.

The "Changelog" Fix: This is the most reliable manual fix to trick the software into seeing the "correct" version.

Navigate to your Assetto Corsa root folder (usually Steam\steamapps\common\assettocorsa). Locate the file named changelog.txt.

Open it and find the latest version number (it might say 1.16.4). Change that number to 1.16.3. Save the file and restart Content Manager. Additional Troubleshooting Steps

If the "obsolete" error is preventing the game from launching or causing "Race Cancelled" errors, try these steps: Installed Custom Shaders Patch is obsolete - OverTake.gg

The " Assetto Corsa is obsolete (v1.16.3 is required)" error typically occurs because a recent minor update (to v1.16.4) caused a version mismatch in Content Manager (CM) or Custom Shaders Patch (CSP). Quick Fix: Update the Changelog

The most effective way to bypass this error is to manually trick the software into seeing the version it expects:

Navigate to your Assetto Corsa root directory (e.g., SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\assettocorsa). Locate and open the changelog.txt file.

Find the very first line showing the version (likely 1.16.4) and change it back to 1.16.3. Save the file and restart Content Manager. Alternative Troubleshooting Steps

If the changelog fix doesn't work, try these steps in order:

Here’s a structured write-up based on your statement. It’s written in a technical, community-facing style suitable for forums, patch notes, or modding discussions.

5. Contact Support

If you've tried all the above steps and still face issues, consider contacting the support team for your platform or the game's developer, Kunos Simulazioni.