Skyrim is a hugely popular role-playing game that has captivated gamers since its release in 2011. However, one of the most common issues players face while playing Skyrim is frequent crashes. There can be several reasons why Skyrim keeps crashing, including corrupt game files, mod conflicts, outdated drivers, and more.
In this article, we will guide you through the most common issues that cause Skyrim to crash and provide step-by-step solutions to resolve them. We have compiled information from various sources, including Bethesda support, Reddit user solutions, and other competitor sites. Additionally, we will provide some unique or alternative solutions suggested by ChatGPT to help you fix the problem.
One of the most common reasons why Skyrim keeps crashing is due to corrupt game files. To fix this issue, you need to verify the integrity of the game cache on Steam. Here’s how:
- Step 1: Open Steam and go to the Library tab.
- Step 2: Right-click on Skyrim and select Properties.
- Step 3: Click on the Local Files tab and select Verify Integrity of Game Cache.
- Step 4: Wait for the process to complete and restart the game.
Mod Conflicts
If you have installed several mods on your game, they may be conflicting with each other, causing Skyrim to crash. Here’s how to fix it:
Step 1: Disable all the mods you have installed.
Step 2: Re-enable the mods one by one and check if the game crashes.
Step 3: If the game crashes, the last mod you enabled is causing the issue. Disable that mod and continue the process until you find the conflicting mod.
Step 4: Alternatively, you can use a mod manager to manage your mods and check for conflicts automatically.
Outdated Drivers
Outdated drivers can also cause Skyrim to crash. To fix this issue, you need to update your drivers to the latest version. Here’s how:
Step 1: Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager.
Step 2: Expand the Display Adapters section and right-click on your GPU.
Step 3: Select Update Driver and choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest drivers.
Insufficient System Requirements
Skyrim is a demanding game that requires a powerful system to run smoothly. If your system does not meet the minimum system requirements, the game may crash frequently. Here are the minimum system requirements for Skyrim:
- Operating System: Windows 7/8/10 Processor: Intel i5-750/AMD Phenom II X4-945
- Memory: 8GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 470 1GB /AMD HD 7870 2GB
- Storage: 12 GB
If your system does not meet these requirements, you may need to upgrade your hardware to fix the issue.
Skyrim’s Using the Wrong GPU
If Skyrim is using the wrong GPU, it may cause the game to crash. Here’s how to fix it:
Step 1: Right-click on the desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings.
Step 2: Go to the Manage 3D Settings or Gaming tab.
Step 3: Under Program Settings or Games, select Skyrim.
Step 4: Choose the desired GPU from the dropdown menu.
Step 5: Save the changes and restart the game.
Fixing Save Crashes
Skyrim may crash while saving the game due to several reasons, such as corrupted save files or too many autosave. Here’s how to fix it:
Step 1: Use manual saves instead of autosaves.
Step 2: Delete old save files that you no longer need.
Step 3: Try loading an earlier save file if the current one is corrupted.
Step 4: If the issue persists, try cleaning the saved file using a tool like Save Game Script Cleaner.
Lowering Shadow Settings
Skyrim’s shadow settings can affect the game’s performance and cause it to crash. Here’s how to fix it:
Step 1: Open Skyrim and go to the Options menu.
Step 2: Click on the Video tab and select Advanced.
Step 3: Lower the Shadow Detail setting to Low or Off.
Step 4: Save the changes and restart the game.
Checking for Windows Update
Windows updates can fix many issues, including those related to Skyrim crashes. Here’s how to check for Windows updates:
Step 1: Press Windows Key + I and select Update & Security.
Step 2: Click on Check for updates.
Step 3: If updates are available, download and install them.
Step 4: Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
Reinstalling the Game
If none of the above solutions work, you may need to reinstall Skyrim. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open Steam and go to the Library tab.
Step 2: Right-click on Skyrim and select Uninstall.
Step 3: Wait for the game to uninstall and restart Steam.
Step 4: Go to the Store tab and search for Skyrim.
Step 5: Click on the Buy button and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the game.
Contacting Bethesda Support
If you have tried all the above solutions and the game still crashes, you may need to contact Bethesda support for further assistance. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Go to the Bethesda support website.
Step 2: Click on Submit a Ticket and select Skyrim as the game.
Step 3: Fill in the required details, such as your email, platform, and issue description.
Step 4: Click on Submit and wait for a response from Bethesda support.
Uninstalling Mods
If you have installed too many mods, it may cause Skyrim to crash. Here’s how to uninstall mods:
Step 1: Open the mod manager you used to install the mods.
Step 2: Select the mod you want to uninstall and click on Uninstall or Delete.
Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the mod.
Step 4: Restart the game and check if the issue is resolved.
Disabling Antivirus
Your antivirus software may be blocking Skyrim from running properly, causing it to crash. Here’s how to disable your antivirus temporarily:
Step 1: Right-click on the antivirus icon in the system tray.
Step 2: Select Disable or Turn off.
Step 3: Try running Skyrim and check if the issue is resolved.
Step 4: Remember to enable your antivirus after you finish playing.
Cleaning Dirty Files
Dirty files can cause Skyrim to crash. Here’s how to clean them:
Step 1: Go to the Skyrim installation folder.
Step 2: Delete any files with a .tmp extension.
Step 3: Delete any files with a .log extension.
Step 4: Restart the game and check if the issue is resolved.
Adjusting Windows Sound Settings
Windows sound settings can also cause Skyrim to crash. Here’s how to adjust them:
Step 1: Right-click on the sound icon in the system tray.
Step 2: Select Sounds.
Step 3: Click on the Playback tab and select your audio device.
Step 4: Click on Properties and select the Advanced tab.
Step 5: Change the Default Format to 24-bit, 48000 Hz (Studio Quality).
Step 6: Click on Apply and OK.
Verify the Integrity of the Game Cache
Another way to verify the integrity of the game cache is through the game’s launcher. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open Skyrim and go to the Options menu.
Step 2: Click on the System tab and select Verify Integrity of Game Cache.
Step 3: Wait for the process to complete and restart the game.
Install Latest Patch
Installing the latest patch for Skyrim can fix many issues, including crashes. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Go to the Skyrim installation folder.
Step 2: Click on the Updates folder.
Step 3: Run the latest patch executable file.
Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to install the patch.
Selecting the Right GPU
If you have multiple GPUs on your system, Skyrim may use the wrong one, causing it to crash. Here’s how to select the right GPU:
Step 1: Right-click on the desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings.
Step 2: Go to the Manage 3D Settings or Gaming tab.
Step 3: Under Global Settings or Global Graphics, select the desired GPU from the dropdown menu.
Step 4: Save the changes and restart the game.
Using a Manual Save
If Skyrim keeps crashing while saving, you may need to use a manual save instead of an autosave. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open Skyrim and go to the Options menu.
Step 2: Click on the Gameplay tab and select Save on Wait.
Step 3: Save the game manually instead of relying on autosaves.
Alternative Solutions
While the solutions provided by the competitors and Reddit users may work, there are also some alternative solutions that you can try:
Reinstall DirectX
DirectX is a set of APIs that are essential for running many games, including Skyrim. If your DirectX installation is corrupt or outdated, it may cause the game to crash. Here’s how to reinstall DirectX:
Step 1: Go to the DirectX download page.
Step 2: Click on Download and follow the on-screen instructions to download the installer.
Step 3: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install DirectX.
Update Audio and Video Drivers
Outdated audio and video drivers can also cause Skyrim to crash. Here’s how to update them:
Step 1: Right-click on the Windows Start button and select Device Manager.
Step 2: Expand the Sound, video, and game controllers and Display adapters sections.
Step 3: Right-click on your audio and video devices and select Update Driver.
Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to update the drivers.
Disable Touch Keyboard Service
The Touch Keyboard Service in Windows 10 can cause Skyrim to crash. Here’s how to disable it:
Step 1: Press Windows Key + R and type services.msc in the Run box.
Step 2: Scroll down and find the Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service.
Step 3: Right-click on the service and select Properties.
Step 4: Set the Startup type to Disabled and click on Apply.
In conclusion, Skyrim keeps crashing can be a frustrating issue to deal with, but with the above solutions and alternative solutions, you should be able to fix the issue and get back to playing the game. Remember to always back up your saved files and make sure your system meets the minimum requirements to run the game.
If you have any other solutions or suggestions, feel free to share them in the comments section below. We would love to hear from you!
Thank you for reading, and happy gaming!
