How to Get Lester to Call You for the Next Heist in GTA Online

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As an experienced GTA Online player with over 200 hours completing heists, I‘ve learned a few tricks to get Lester to initiate that critical phone call to start the next big score.

The most reliable method that works for me is to change sessions or restart the game. This simple reset seems to flip the switch on any bugs that have prevented Lester from offering the next job. I‘d say 8 out of 10 times, fast traveling to a new lobby or reloading the game prompts Lester to immediately call me about setup prep.

However, if session hopping hasn‘t delivered Lester‘s dulcet tones to your ear, here are 7 other techniques you can try:

Wait 15 Minutes in Free Roam

Few things are more frustrating than waiting for Lester‘s call to no avail. But before taking more drastic measures, try idling in free roam for a quarter hour. Be sure to stay away from jobs, heists, missions to give the game time to trigger the call.

  • 15 minutes mirrors the real-world wait time between the repeatable Cayo Perico heist, leading many to speculate it triggers a global cooldown for eligibility for the next heist.

I advise finding a safe spot to go AFK to avoid getting randomly sniped by a troll. My go-to waiting spot is perching on one of the axe/hammer sculptures inside the golf course.

Check the Planning Board

Access the planning board inside your high-end apartment or arcade. If you see the option to launch the next heist like The Doomsday Heist or Diamond Casino, start that up!

Even if Lester hasn‘t called you organically, skipping straight to the planning board is a reliable workaround. As host, you can kick off prep missions without waiting for the game‘s glitchy NPC communication system.

Return to Story Mode

Hop back into single-player mode as Franklin, Trevor or Michael. Spend 5 or 10 minutes completing a mission or side activity, then return to GTA Online.

Zipping into story mode essentially functions as a reset button. Upon returning to multiplayer, there‘s a solid chance Lester finally gives you a ring about the next epic heist.

Switch GTA Online Characters

If you created multiple characters (up to 2 total), swap to your other persona. Again, change can jar things loose. Spend some time on the other character via missions, free roam, whatever. After 10-15 minutes, change back to your main and Lester may eagerly await your return with news of a big-time payday.

Join a Job, Mission or Heist

This tip contradicts the advice about waiting in free roam. But another avenue is to simply play something. Join random jobs and missions via the Quick Jobs menu. Or reply to one of Lester‘s ubiquitous texts inviting your services.

Completing a round of Survival, contact mission or even a Doomsday finale might encourage the next heist prompt once the job wraps.

Visit Lester‘s Location

Track down Lester‘s physical location marked on the map and visit him in person. His crib pops up once you befriend him during story mode.

Interacting face-to-face sometimes jump-starts stalled progress. And lingering around his place can spur the fateful call. Sure beats endlessly running circles around Los Santos!

Fully Finish the Previous Heist

Before Lester sets up the next elaborate heist in the series, ensure you‘ve completed each finale of the past job. That means wrapping up The Fleeca Job before unlocking The Prison Break, finishing The Prison Break before triggering The Humane Labs Raid, etc.

You must run through the entire heist – all setup missions, preps, the finale – as heist leader or crew member to progress the grand story arc.

This requirement occasionally halts progress if someone still has an outstanding finale still awaiting completion.

Bonus: Getting Lester to Call with Police Bribes & Hangouts

Unlocking bonus perks via story mode side missions gives you more reasons to hear Lester‘s incessant calls:

  • The multi-step Bureau Raid mission lets Lester remove wanted levels for free rather than paying his costly bribes
  • After completing the story, hang out with Lester to boost your take on future heist finales.

So those are 8 reliable methods to get Lester to kick off the next heist installment if you‘re stuck in limbo. Hopefully with one of the above fixes, you‘ll be ready to bank millions in icy Cayo Perico or the glitzy Diamond Casino before long! Let me know in the comments if these tips worked to finally hear from good ol‘ Lester.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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