Cannot start game, square text boxes

[Whitatoodanis]

So, to start off. I mod.

Got a new PC. Trying to install the game and get the mods back. I did a vanilla start without mods, then installed the mods and tried to start it from there. No dice. **The Bethesda logo shows up, then it goes to the menu screen and is completely empty without graphics, and the text is replaced with square boxes.**

I uninstall all the mods.

Opened the game back up and still have the same issue. So I uninstall the game and re-install it.
Same issue.

I'm somewhat at a loss here now. I've run several third-party checks on the game files and including Steam's file integrity check. That says that there's one file failure, but according to the FAQ, that's expected.

I can pull the game up on my old PC and it loads in fine and plays fine mods and all, but my new PC is somehow struggling and I'm not sure if it's the mods, the game files, or my computer.

[smr1957]

You should do a clean reinstall, following this guide:

Resetting Skyrim to Vanilla or A Clean Reinstall by grimus - http://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/357285562484690267/

Then start the game pure vanilla, to check that it launches. Once that is confirmed, gradually add mods in just a few at a time, testing as you go, and making a save after each successful test, and continue. If there is a mod causing the issue, you will be able to determine it. This is the general outline to follow when testing:

Troubleshooting Your Load Order
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/3108016336246499761/

(both links from PINNED TOPIC Helpful Links and References, Section 5 - General Troubleshooting)

Good luck!

[StealthMode℠™©®]

Vanilla install works fine.
Only MOD installs arent working?

WHAT MODS / DLC are you installing? One of them is likely breaking your game. Possibly one that alters fonts.

What MOD Manager are you using?
And did you sort your load order?

[alexander_dougherty]

Follow the advice from the first reply.
Text boxs are usually a sign that a mod is in a different language to the game itself, finding out which mod is causing it, and removing it is the only way to fix the problem...

Please note that if you remove mods you can't continue with saves made with those mods.

[Whitatoodanis]

Originally posted by StealthMode:

Vanilla install works fine.
Only MOD installs arent working?

WHAT MODS / DLC are you installing? One of them is likely breaking your game. Possibly one that alters fonts.

What MOD Manager are you using?
And did you sort your load order?

The initial start up worked, then I installed the mods and it broke. Uninstalled the mods, it was still broken, uninstalled the game, re-installed, still broken.

I've got all 3 DLC (Dragonborn, Dawnguard, Hearthfire), and a bunch of aesthetic mods going with a couple QoL mods. To list them would take a long time as it totals to about 67 mods. I usually go through the mod list one by one and find out which one breaks the game, but its permanently broken at this point so I can't even go through them all individually.

I use Nexus/Vortex with LOOT and Editx or TES5Edit, whatever it goes by lol. Ran them both and got all the load orders sorted, but then the text was bugged and I couldn't even see my cursor in the game. Couldn't move anything on the menu.

[Whitatoodanis]

Originally posted by smr1957:

You should do a clean reinstall, following this guide:

Resetting Skyrim to Vanilla or A Clean Reinstall by grimus - http://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/357285562484690267/

Then start the game pure vanilla, to check that it launches. Once that is confirmed, gradually add mods in just a few at a time, testing as you go, and making a save after each successful test, and continue. If there is a mod causing the issue, you will be able to determine it. This is the general outline to follow when testing:

Troubleshooting Your Load Order
https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/3108016336246499761/

(both links from PINNED TOPIC Helpful Links and References, Section 5 - General Troubleshooting)

Good luck!

Totally forgot about the 4 workshop mods I have. I'll try doing a clean install from this guide. I'll report back after that's done. Thanks for the guides!

EDIT:
This definitely helped. I had thought I had completely removed all the files with my last uninstall and delete of the files, but I didn't remove the My Documents game version and the Workshop mods. Many thanks!

[Whitatoodanis]

Originally posted by alexander_dougherty:

Follow the advice from the first reply.
Text boxs are usually a sign that a mod is in a different language to the game itself, finding out which mod is causing it, and removing it is the only way to fix the problem...

Please note that if you remove mods you can't continue with saves made with those mods.

That's what I was thinking, too, but all the mods I went through were English. I might have set it up incorrectly after installing, but there's no way for me to tell now that I know of.

And the save file isn't an issue for me. Wanted to start new with a different build anyways. No more sneaky archer for me (until I get tired of being rolled by the Giants and switch back lol)

[alexander_dougherty]

Originally posted by Whitatoodanis:

Originally posted by alexander_dougherty:

Follow the advice from the first reply.
Text boxs are usually a sign that a mod is in a different language to the game itself, finding out which mod is causing it, and removing it is the only way to fix the problem...

Please note that if you remove mods you can't continue with saves made with those mods.

That's what I was thinking, too, but all the mods I went through were English. I might have set it up incorrectly after installing, but there's no way for me to tell now that I know of.

And the save file isn't an issue for me. Wanted to start new with a different build anyways. No more sneaky archer for me (until I get tired of being rolled by the Giants and switch back lol)

There are a few other things that cause boxs instead of text, but for the life of me I can't remember what they are... sorry it's been years since they came up.

[smr1957]

Glad you got it fixed, Whitatoodanis!

Enjoy!