Starfield mods not working - how to fix the issue

Starfield mods not working - An image of a character standing infront of the UC logo
Credit: Bethesda


Starfield mods not working - An image of a character standing infront of the UC logo
Credit: Bethesda

If Starfield mods are not working for you despite your efforts, we've gathered tried-and-tested solutions from the Steam Community and Reddit to help you out.

Starfield already has cool mods, like one that changes your FOV and another that improves Bethesda's clunky user interface (HUD mod). There's also a multiplayer mod in progress, which will make the game even more fun. However, many players can't seem to make them work.

In this guide, we'll provide proven tips to resolve the Starfield mods not working problem, ensuring you can enjoy these awesome mods.

How to fix Starfield mods not working issue

To fix the Starfield mods not working issue, create a StarfieldCustom.ini file in the Documents folder and insert a code block in it specifying where the game should find resource files. This solution has been verified as effective by players on both Steam Community and Reddit threads.

Here are the detailed steps you need to take to fix the Starfield mods not working issue:

  • Navigate to Documents > My Games > Starfield
  • Copy the StarfieldPrefs.ini file in the folder, paste it back into the same folder, and rename it to StarfieldCustom.ini
  • Open the newly created StarfieldCustom.ini file, erase all its content, and then paste the following text:
    • [Archive]
      bInvalidateOlderFiles=1
      sResourceDataDirsFinal=
  • Once that is done, set the file to "read-only."
  • Afterwards, place the mods in both the My Games and the main game's Data folders.
  • Now, everything is ready. Simply start the game and enjoy the mods.

If the issue persists, try disabling your antivirus software and ensure that the mods match the current version of the game. Also, keep your game, mods, and necessary files on the same drive to avoid potential permission issues between different drives.

Hopefully, these tips will help you fix the mods not working issue, allowing you to enjoy the best Starfield mods hassle-free. Make sure you try out the DLSS mod if you own an Nvidia graphics card.

Why are Starfield mods not working?

The Starfield mods not working issue revolves around the game failing to detect or activate the essential StarfieldCustom.ini file.

One common error made by some players is inadvertently saving the file with the extension ".txt," so it appears in Windows as StarfieldCustom.ini. In reality, the file is actually saved as StarfieldCustom.ini.txt. This slight oversight can easily lead to mods not working as intended.

As highlighted by a Reddit user, the practice of initially creating a .txt file and then renaming it to .ini can also trigger the problem. This process encodes the file in UTF-8 with a character that the game doesn't recognize, potentially leading to the issue.

Furthermore, it's important to consider compatibility issues, such as when the mod version doesn't match the game version. Additionally, keep in mind that antivirus software might occasionally block mods without providing explicit notifications.

That's all we know about the Starfield mods issue; your mods should work now. By the way, are you aware of the money glitch in Starfield? It's helpful for buying the pricey Grav Drive in the First Contact quest.

This Article's Topics

Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!

GuidesGaming