DigitalSignalX

Was able to successfully use this method to fix the glitch. My rig uses AMD/ATI so can also confirm it has nothing to do with your GPU brand, it appears likely to be a conflict with mods and the latest patches/DLC. My first run through right after release of game didn't have this issue, but now on my 2nd with all the DLC's, patches and some mods, it sprang up.

Glad you guys got it fixed, but I've tried everything and no luck :( After removing *all* mods, deleting everything except official DLC files from the data folder and making a new save slot I can only suppose my save file is bugged? My first instance with this bug was at the monk, where you free him from the magic prison and are supposed to make him your thrall. I could not find a workaround other than simply advancing the quest via console commands found on the UESPWiki. Second encounter is with the radiant Allegiance quest, where you have to make a thrall out of some random NPC's. My symptoms: I can get to the "feed" option after casting seduction, and feeding does lower my vampirism level, but the NPC would not become a thrall. I can't find the setstage command for these radiant quests else I'd have just consoled it too. Now I'm stuck with this allegiance quest :/ No idea how to clean my save game if that is truly the issue since loading the game utterly bare bones isn't working.

Necro'ing this old thread because perhaps my searches were just blind, but I too am looking for something of this nature. I'd like to be able to tell my house carls and various companion NPC's whose company I enjoyed to "go home" or dismiss them back to my hearthfire home(s).

I made a new char, went to megaton, consoled my karma and some caps, and was able to hire Jericho no problem. So it's definitely a corrupted character issue with my first. Really annoying now, as I was hoping to use Charon for later in game. Anyone have ideas?

Just a quick follow up, got the same error with clover, consoled my karma to evil and still am getting 'too many followers' issue. I tried going to point look out, and got the "your friend will have to wait here" dialogue from the ferry man, so I went (hoping to reset whoever was on follow) and then bought a ticket back - no luck back at charon or clover both. It's like I got back and whoever was on follow 'restuck' to me. I also tried just selected clover and adjusting her SV manually in console (hired=1 and waiting=1). While she did follow me, all her dialogues were again still "talk to eulogy for whatever you need" even after I tried killing him lol. There has to be some 'has follower' switch I can throw to clean the slate, anyone know?

So I have an interesting bug that's kind of annoying. I'm getting a "you can only have one follower" error when I have no follower. I bought out Charons contract, but he won't join me. I'm kinda experienced with the mod scene and I've examined my load order, checked for conflicts in snip etc, and I'm fairly sure (95%-ish) it isn't a mod causing it. The only NPC related (other then cosmetics) I've installed is a idle animations and invulnerable traders/followers, - which I have disabled and uninstalled anyway to fix this. I rescued dogmeat, and have 'released' him to 101. I have rescued the 2 kids who ran away from rivet city. I have completed the national archives quest with sydney and she's back at the bar selling ammo. I escorted cherry to rivet city. I escorted red and her friend from the police station back to big town Those are my only follower/escort related quests so far. I have no other followers.. but the game says I do. How can I fix this so I can hire charon? I tried installing SCC and it will let me 'adopt' charon, but his dialogues are still framed by the fact that he's waiting for me to ask him along again once I've freed up my invisible companion slot. Is there some console command to release all followers? To see what ghost I have as a follower?

thanks for this tip, like to enjoy days and nights longer as well.