Are you exasperated because Skyrim keeps crashing? Fear not, this comprehensive guide holds your hand through solving this problem.
Restarting the Game and Your Computer
Often, the simplest solution can be the most effective. Restarting the game or your computer can often resolve many issues, including Skyrim crashing.
Steps to Restart the Game
- Close the game if it is currently running.
- Wait for a few minutes.
- Reopen the game.
Steps to Restart Your Computer
- Click on the Start button.
- Click on the Power button.
- Select Restart.
Manual Saving and Deleting Autosave Files
Autosave files can sometimes cause Skyrim to crash. Switching to manual saves and deleting old autosave files can potentially solve the issue.
Steps to Save Manually in Skyrim
- Press the Escape key to open the game menu.
- Click on Save.
- Choose a new slot for your save.
Steps to Delete Autosave Files
- Navigate to the save location (usually Documents\My Games\Skyrim\Saves).
- Delete any files that start with ‘Autosave’.
Reinstalling the Game
Sometimes, game files may become corrupt and cause the game to crash. In such cases, reinstalling the game can be a good solution.
Steps to Reinstall Skyrim
- Uninstall Skyrim from your computer.
- Restart your computer.
- Download and install Skyrim from your game provider.
Checking for Windows Updates
Outdated operating systems can sometimes cause games to crash. Ensuring your Windows is up to date can often resolve such issues.
Steps to Update Windows
- Open the Start menu.
- Click on Settings.
- Click on Update & Security.
- Click on Windows Update.
- If updates are available, click on Install.
Mod Management and Conflict Resolution
Skyrim mods can sometimes cause the game to crash due to conflicts or corruption. Managing mods properly can help prevent such issues.
Steps to Manage Mods in Skyrim
- Make a list of all mods you have installed.
- Disable all mods.
- Restart the game. If it doesn’t crash, one of the mods is likely the culprit.
- Enable mods one by one, checking the game after each to identify the problematic mod.
- Once identified, try to reinstall or update the problematic mod. If that doesn’t work, you may need to remove it entirely.
Updating Video Card Drivers
Outdated video card drivers can cause games to crash. Keeping your drivers up to date can help prevent this.
Steps to Update Video Card Drivers
- Identify your video card make and model.
- Visit the manufacturer’s website.
- Look for the latest drivers for your video card model.
- Download and install the drivers following the provided instructions.
Adjusting Shadow Settings and Sound Quality
Certain in-game settings, such as shadow quality and sound quality, can impact game performance and cause crashes if set too high.
Steps to Adjust Shadow Settings in Skyrim
- Open the game’s settings.
- Navigate to the Display section.
- Lower the Shadow Quality setting.
- Save changes and restart the game.
Steps to Adjust Sound Quality in Windows
- Open the Sound settings in your Windows Control Panel.
- Navigate to the Playback tab.
- Select your default device and click on Properties.
- In the Advanced tab, select 24-bit, 44100 Hz (Studio Quality) from the drop-down menu.
- Click Apply, then OK.
Managing Game Cache Integrity
Verifying the integrity of your game cache can solve many issues, including crashes. This checks for missing or corrupted game files and replaces them.
Steps to Verify Integrity of Game Cache on Steam
- Open Steam and go to your Library.
- Right-click on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and select Properties.
- Navigate to the Local Files tab.
- Click on Verify Integrity of Game Cache.
- Wait for the process to complete.
Contacting Bethesda Support
If none of the solutions works, your best bet is to contact Bethesda Support. They may be able to provide a solution or fix for the issue.
Steps to Contact Bethesda Support
- Visit the Bethesda Support website.
- Click on the Contact Us button.
- Fill in the required details about your issue.
- Click Submit to send your issue to the support team.
Conclusion
Skyrim keeps crashing can be a frustrating issue for any gamer, but with the proper troubleshooting steps, you can identify the cause and implement a solution. Remember to always keep your software up to date, manage your mods, adjust in-game settings, verify your game cache integrity, and don’t hesitate to reach out to Bethesda Support for further help. Happy adventuring in the world of Skyrim!
FAQs
Why Does My Skyrim Keep Crashing?
Skyrim can crash due to a variety of reasons, including outdated software, corrupt game files, mod conflicts, hardware limitations, and more. This article provides comprehensive solutions to fix these issues.
How Do I Stop Skyrim from Crashing?
Stopping Skyrim from crashing involves troubleshooting potential causes, which can range from updating your software, checking for corrupt game files, managing mods, adjusting in-game settings, or even contacting Bethesda Support.
What Do I Do if The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is Crashing or Getting a Black Screen on PC?
You can follow the steps provided in this article to identify the problem causing the game to crash or show a black screen. These steps include updating your software and drivers, verifying the integrity of your game cache, adjusting in-game settings, managing mods, and more. If all else fails, contact Bethesda Support.
How Do I Fix Skyrim Infinite Loading Screen?
Infinite loading screens in Skyrim are often caused by mod conflicts or corrupt game files. You can try disabling mods, verifying the integrity of your game cache, or reinstalling the game to fix this issue.
