Fallout 4 - fix for long loading times (next gen update compatible)

This guide offers solutions in fixing the loading times. It also includes a step on how to set the game on right "speed".

Steps

Note: Feel free to experiment on your own. This mod free solution to fix loading times and framerate worked for me, so I would also recommend to follow these steps. If you have additional fixes, or any feedback, feel free to comment them on below so I can add them to this guide.


To begin this,

Fallout 4 has four Ini files, and one of them is located on steamapps -> common -> Fallout4 -> Fallout4 on the drive where you installed the game. The other Ini files are located under MyGames folder, on documents, or other folder where you've set them.

Next up are the steps on fixing the issue.

1. For optimal results, make sure you have Fallout 4 installed without mods or pre-existing changes to Ini files on a preferably fast drive like SSD. HDD can work, but it's not recommended. I recommend full vanilla install, as excessive mods will always slow down the loading times. If unsure, reinstall the game, delete mods and delete all the four Ini files in order to regenerate them.

2. Disable Steam Cloud for Fallout 4.

In the library tab, right-click Fallout 4 and choose Properties, click the updates tab and make sure the checkbox is empty.

Make sure to keep backups of your savefiles!

3. Block both .exe files in your Windows Firewall. You must block all outbound and inbound connections for the Fallout4.exe and Fallout4Launcher.exe.

4. Under the “general” section on both of the fallout4prefs.ini's and the fallout4.ini, write the following.

iNumHWThreads=X
uExterior Cell Buffer=64

X is the number of your CPU cores, if uExterior Cell Buffer already exists, just change the value to 64

(As pointed by other users, these steps may be enough to fix loading times. If wanted effect is not reached, or you also have issues with framerate, continue with steps below.)

5. On Nvidia Control Panel, go to manage 3D settings and select Fallout 4 on the programs and do the following changes.

Triple buffering = On
Virtual Reality pre-rendered frames = 1

Remember to apply them

For AMD cards, follow similar steps. I unfortunately cannot confirm them myself.

6. On Nvidia Control Panel, where you did the last step, go to vertical-sync. If you're running the game on 60 or 75 NATIVE refresh rate, you can set it to "ON". If you're running on 120 or 144 as your NATIVE refresh rate, set it to "adaptive(half refresh rate). This step is to avoid the game being too "fast", but it can also have an effect on the loading times. If you have a monitor with higher refresh rate, such as 240, I recommend playing with the settings to find what suits you the most. Reaching a locked framerate that is close to 60 is optimal.

7. As a last step, configure your graphical settings and resolution on Fallout 4 launcher, I personally prefer setting the draw distances to slightly lower than what they are on Ultra preset, as a precaution. I advice playing on fullscreen, despite many claiming that borderless windowed works better. Trying both won't hurt.

Sources: This guide is based on what I've found by contacting Bethesda Support, from various Steam comments, including the ones on this guide, and from the article on driver easy.

Multiple edits: 02.11.2020
Multiple edits: 16.02.2021
Multiple edits: 04.04.2021
Bump 10.08.2021
Multiple Edits 10.05.2024

[IMGAMINGHERE]

This didn't fix the loading time at all with me. YES I have followed the instructions to the letter! NO, I won't install any mods!

[M]

By load times do you mean loading screens or what? Because loading the game is insanely fast, the loading screens are insanely not fast LOL. Cheers

[Hellfire]

I think he is referring to the slow speed to load the data files. I have a i9 raptor lake with NVME gen 5 with 32 gig of DD5 5600 and it still slow on the loading. This makes no sense its obvious that it is a developer issue.

[Balalaikka]

Thank you for confirming the compatibility with the next gen update. I have updated the guide, and removed any possible incompatibilities that resulted from the update.

[andrejaBre]

Thank you so much!

[Latorn]

I went backwards on this guide because I wanted to keep cloud saving on. But I finally relented and disabled cloud saving and that reduced the load times from about 50 secs to 10-15secs on SSD. Playing next gen update.

[Cenotaph]

Works perfectly in 2024 after the next gen update

[-A7 Demon Seed-]

ITS CALLED AN SSD

[[DOKO]AshBornnMetall]

My game crash 1 time, and when it rains the colors change to negative :v (1 time too)

[Kräuter]

*Laughs in HD Textures*