The Gwyn Hughes glitch has been driving Red Dead Redemption 2 players crazy since the game’s launch. If you’re stuck with grayed-out mission markers, locked debt collection quests, or achievement tracking issues, you’re definitely not alone. This troublesome bug affects one of the most memorable side missions in the game, but there are proven ways to fix it.
What is the Gwyn Hughes Glitch?
The Gwyn Hughes glitch primarily affects the “Money Lending and Other Sins” questline, specifically parts IV and V in Chapter 4. Players encounter several frustrating symptoms:
- Mission markers appearing grayed out or locked
- “Due to recent crimes, this mission is unavailable” message
- Completed missions not registering in progress tracking
- Achievement progress not counting properly
- Random mission marker disappearances
This debt collection mission involves Arthur Morgan tracking down Gwyn Hughes, a grave robber who owes money to Leopold Strauss. The character is particularly memorable because he digs up corpses in Rhodes cemetery to steal jewelry – pretty disturbing stuff, even for the Wild West.
Why Does the Gwyn Hughes Glitch Happen?
The root cause stems from how Red Dead Redemption 2 handles mission availability and bounty systems. When you have active bounties in certain areas, the game temporarily locks missions to prevent conflicts. However, the system sometimes fails to recognize when bounties are cleared, creating a permanent lock state.
Additionally, the game’s complex mission scripting can create conflicts when multiple storylines overlap in Chapter 4. Since Rhodes becomes a hotspot for various gang activities during this period, the mission system occasionally gets confused about which quests should be available.
5 Proven Solutions to Fix the Gwyn Hughes Glitch
Solution 1: Clear All Bounties Completely
Even if you think your bounties are clear, double-check every region. Pay off all outstanding bounties at post offices, then wait 2-3 in-game days before attempting the mission again. Sometimes bounties from neighboring areas can interfere with Rhodes missions.
Solution 2: The Console Reset Method
This might sound basic, but it works for many players. Turn off your console completely, unplug it for 30 seconds, then restart. This clears temporary cache files that might be causing the mission state confusion.
Solution 3: Time-Based Waiting Strategy
Mission markers often appear at specific times and disappear quickly. Try visiting the Rhodes cemetery and undertaker building at different times of day. Many players report success between 10 AM and 2 PM in-game time.
Solution 4: Chapter Progression Method
If the mission remains locked in Chapter 4, continue with the main story. The debt collection questline becomes available again in Chapter 6, and completing it then still counts toward achievements. This is actually the most reliable long-term solution.
Solution 5: Mission Conflict Resolution
Avoid starting other missions while the Gwyn Hughes marker is visible. Complete any active stranger missions or gang activities in the Rhodes area first, then attempt the debt collection mission when your mission log is clean.
Understanding Mission Markers and Visual Bugs
Many players mistake visual glitches for actual mission problems. The grayed-out markers in Chapter 4 are often just display errors – the missions might actually be completed already. Check your progress menu under “Total Completion” to see if the debt collection quests are marked as finished.
If you’ve already confronted Gwyn Hughes at the cemetery and collected the debt, the recurring markers are purely cosmetic bugs that won’t affect your game completion.
Impact on Achievements and Trophies
The “Lending a Hand” achievement requires completing the entire “Money Lending and Other Sins” questline. Good news: the Gwyn Hughes glitch won’t permanently block this achievement. Even if Chapter 4 missions appear bugged, you can still earn the trophy by completing the questline in Chapter 6.
Multiple players have confirmed that the achievement triggers correctly when finishing the final debt collection missions, regardless of earlier display bugs.
Prevention Tips for Future Playthroughs
- Complete debt collection missions as soon as they become available
- Keep bounties cleared in all regions throughout Chapter 4
- Avoid leaving missions partially started
- Save frequently before attempting any debt collection missions
- Complete stranger missions in Rhodes before tackling gang-related quests
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Gwyn Hughes glitch prevent 100% completion?
No, this glitch won’t block 100% completion. The debt collection missions can be completed in Chapter 6 if they’re bugged in Chapter 4, and all achievements will still unlock properly.
Can I restart the mission if it’s glitched?
Unfortunately, you can’t manually restart specific debt collection missions. Your best options are clearing bounties, waiting for different time periods, or progressing to Chapter 6 where the questline becomes available again.
Does honor level affect the Gwyn Hughes glitch?
Honor level doesn’t directly cause this glitch, but having low honor can increase bounty problems that contribute to mission availability issues. Maintaining neutral or high honor can help prevent related complications.
Are there similar glitches with other debt collection missions?
Yes, Winton Holmes missions can experience similar locking issues. The same solutions apply: clear bounties, wait for different time periods, or complete the missions in Chapter 6 instead.
Should I contact Rockstar Support about this glitch?
While you can contact support, they typically suggest the console reset method. Since community solutions work reliably and the glitch doesn’t prevent completion, most players find it easier to use the workarounds mentioned above.
Does this glitch affect Red Dead Online?
No, this specific glitch only affects the single-player story mode. Red Dead Online has its own separate mission system and doesn’t include the Strauss debt collection storyline.
Can mods or cheats cause this glitch?
Using mods or cheats can definitely interfere with mission scripting and create similar symptoms. If you’re using any modifications, try playing without them to see if the glitch persists.
Conclusion
The Gwyn Hughes glitch might be frustrating, but it’s not a game-breaker. Whether you’re dealing with locked mission markers, bounty conflicts, or achievement tracking problems, the solutions above have helped thousands of players get back to enjoying their Wild West adventure. Remember that progression to Chapter 6 offers a reliable backup plan, so don’t let this bug derail your entire playthrough. Stay patient, try these proven fixes, and you’ll be back to collecting debts for Strauss in no time.