Help with mods please :(

[Tuz]

I decided to try modding my Starfield for the first time and I can't seem to get any of the mods to work.

I had the StarfieldCustom.ini file where I added

[Archive]
bInvalidateOlderFiles=1
sResourceDataDirsFinal=

I updated the ini file in the main folder to look similar.

I tried using vortex for mods, and tried dropping them in manually.

Nothing I do seems to work.

I tried the UI mod, tried a visual shader retexture mod, and tried a reskin for armor mod.

Advice?

[Vlad 254]

Until the release of the Creation Kit it can be tricky to mod Starfield right now and as a general rule is not recommended unless you are versed in modding.. Also you should not combine methods, in other words some mods have been made to be placed in your Documents folder and some in the game's root directory so you should pick one way or the other until you are well versed in modding.

All that said:

For starters make sure you make your custom ini properly and make sure it's a .ini at the end.

In Helpful Links & References there's some info on setting your game up for modding:

How to make and place a StarfieldCustom.ini and re-enable achievements

[oak]

Depending on the mod as well, it might require plugins.txt (https://www.nexusmods.com/starfield/mods/4157) which in turn requires Script Extender (https://sfse.silverlock.org/).

One specific mod you're having issues with?

[Tenshin51]

I am using Vortex w/ Gamepass.
W/ Vortex you cannot manually install a mod. You really need to allow Vortex to load your mod loader in order for your mod to work.

You can go to setting tab of Vortex find Mods tab then you will see Manage Load Order activate that now you will allow Vortex to manage your mods.

When you activate that Vortex will give you a prompt to install Plugins.txt Enabler
https://www.nexusmods.com/starfield/mods/4157

Because Starfield doesn't officially manage mods yet, You really need Plugins.txt Enabler. All mods required Plugins.txt Enabler in order for a mod to work.
https://www.nexusmods.com/starfield/mods/4157?tab=description

After you install that file and allow Vortex to manage your load order. You will see Ultimate Asi Loader in Vortex. Now you can install any mod just be warn some mods are outdated found in Nexus.

I suggest you install this mod. To see if you install mods safely. Also your save file will prompt you are using a mods if you install a different mod I recommend. I only suggest this mod due it is safe to remove.
https://www.nexusmods.com/starfield/mods/8092

Most tutorial found in Youtube are outdated and Reddit tutorial found in Plugins.txt Enabler especially w/ Vortex tutorial. Current Version of Vortex has it's own Ultimate ASI loader. Don't use any third party Ultimate ASI loader especially with Vortex.

Also manually installing a mod is just too tedious I strongly suggest use a mod manager. Vortex is the only mod manager I found that can only work for Gamepass.

[🆁🅰🆉🅴🆁]

Originally posted by Tuz:

I decided to try modding my Starfield for the first time and I can't seem to get any of the mods to work.

I had the StarfieldCustom.ini file where I added

[Archive]
bInvalidateOlderFiles=1
sResourceDataDirsFinal=

I updated the ini file in the main folder to look similar.

I tried using vortex for mods, and tried dropping them in manually.

Nothing I do seems to work.

I tried the UI mod, tried a visual shader retexture mod, and tried a reskin for armor mod.

Advice?

Nexusmods: VORTEX.
Vortex is the new Mod Manager which is meant to replace Nexus Mod Manager. It has a more 'User-Friendly' Interface and also more dynamic mod-sorting functions, in order to help manage load order. From the looks of it, Vortex is more than meets the eye; It incorporates the functions of TESEdit/FO4Edit etc - by allowing you to identify and resolve conflicts, set certain rules of load order between mods, from within Vortex itself, so you may prefer this to using LOOT and TESEdit. Vortex uses the LOOT API, so it features the functions that LOOT does.

Here's a tutorial in written format on how to use Vortex to install mods:
https://wiki.nexusmods.com/index.php/Installing_your_first_mod_with_vortex

[veer]

I am not having any trouble with vortex. just be careful what mods you get and go for simple. I also do not get any mod that "says" they improve graphics. I get small qol improvements, like clothing mods or there is a great mod that allows you to zoom in to the planets to pick your landing spot better for example.

[HeyYou]

Keep in mind, Vortex wants the plugin.txt file in order to enable esm/esp mods. Currently, the game doesn't support that, and you need an SFSE plugin to make it work. I don't know if that even works on the gamepass version of the game.

[HeyYou]

Originally posted by HondoXP:

This game dose not work well to begin with. Why would any one want to add some shady code from the backwaters of Ukraine?

Still here I see. And still spreading your hate and vitriol as well. Don't you have anything better to do, like, play a game you actually LIKE? I run a pretty modded version of Starfield, have no stability issues, and thoroughly enjoy the game. Why that puts a stick in your craw, is a mystery to me.

[ⓇⒺⓈⓄ]

Originally posted by HeyYou:

Keep in mind, Vortex wants the plugin.txt file in order to enable esm/esp mods. Currently, the game doesn't support that, and you need an SFSE plugin to make it work. I don't know if that even works on the gamepass version of the game.

SFSE_loader is the only one you can use if want mods to work. Same goes for Skyrim called (SKSE) and Fallout (F4SE) They basically just works as script extension to allow game load various mods like modded esp/esm plugins text etc..