SKSE/mod issue

[7Kemmotare]

I'm hoping this is a simple issue. I have just reloaded Skyrim SE and SKSE onto a new computer. By itself, it runs fine. But when I add mods, they do not work. I have tried using both Vortex and Mod Organizer to load the mods on this new computer, to no avail. I used to always use Vortex on my old computer, and the mods worked without a hitch. I tried all kinds of uninstalling and re-installing, to no avail. 

If I need to provide more info, I'd be glad to. I did try to do a search of the forums for this kind of issue, but the results turned up a lot of items not related to my problem. I have to say, I feel really dumb asking about this, so my apologies if this seems like a stupid question.

 

[weiht68]

Does the game crashing or are the mods not working? 

[7Kemmotare]

It does not crash. It starts up with none of the mods running, but works fine. What I realized I should mention is that Vortex says the mods are downloaded/installed/deployed, but MO does not show them at all. The thing is, even before I installed MO, I was having the same problem. I downloaded and tried using MO after I did what I had done on the other computer--fresh install of the game, update, SKSE, added Vortex, added mods--and the mods were non-functional. Then I did a whole new fresh install, with the same steps but added MO also. I still have to use Vortex to add mods as it doesn't seem to work with MO. 

Now, just to alleviate my sense of feeling like an idiot, I have been playing modded ES games since Morrowind, back before we had installers, so I could probably manually install mods; I've just been avoiding it since things seemed to get a lot more complicated with Skyrim and the need for Steam. And as I had no problems on the last computer I was using, I'm really baffled. I don't want to go back playing on that one, however--it's quite a few years older and the game runs better and is fantastically gorgeous on this one :)

I'm really grateful for all responses/suggestions/etc.

[wfandrews]

Is your new computer a different OS than your old computer?

[weiht68]

Sorry for the stupid question but how do you start your game and did you had installed SKSE before you installed Vortex?

[7Kemmotare]

I tried opening through the SKSE (on SKSE) and through the SKSE icon on my desktop. Pretty sure I installed SKSE first, but as I have done multiple re-installs and this was from a few days ago. If there is a 'best order' in which to install, I can do it all again. 

As for my OS, I now have Windows 11 Pro; I used to have Windows 10, so I expect that's why things are different. I hope that helps us figure out what to do.

 

Thanks again for all responses.

 

[wfandrews]

I changed to Windows 11 and finally had to reinstall Windows 10.

Onedrive is an integral part of Windows 11,  it will put your files in the cloud with Onedrive whenever Windows feels like it; it put all my saves in the cloud and I was unable to access them. I do not know what criteria Windows uses but it is quite difficult to get TES5 to work with Windows 11. You can do it but in my opinion it is not worth the hassle.

I did not try to get any of my other Bethesda games to work with Windows 11 so they may work with it.  Also tried to delete Onedrive but was unable to, maybe you will have better luck.

[weiht68]

21 hours ago, 7Kemmotare said:

I tried opening through the SKSE (on SKSE) and through the SKSE icon on my desktop. Pretty sure I installed SKSE first, but as I have done multiple re-installs and this was from a few days ago. If there is a 'best order' in which to install, I can do it all again. 

As for my OS, I now have Windows 11 Pro; I used to have Windows 10, so I expect that's why things are different. I hope that helps us figure out what to do.

 

If you are using Vortex you have to install everything, including SKSE, through Vortex. If you don't do this then maybe SKSE is working but because Vortex is using a "virtual" filesystem/modfolder to give installed mods to Skyrim you can't start your modded game. 

The right thing is to install SKSE through Vortex including enginefixes 1 and 2, papyrus and so on. When you have installed SKSE you should get automatical a button SKSE beside your Skyrim button in Vortex. If this is not happen you can do it by your self.

Go to the Dashbord (on top right under Skyrim start) -> on the left side up you see Tools -> press the big + button  -> New -> Name "SKSE" or what ever you think -> Target "find your game folder and press on SKSE64Loader.exe -> Command line let it blank -> Start in full path to "... /Steam/steamapps/common/Skyrim Special Edition" (or where ever your game is installed) -> Enviroment variable left blank -> Icon whatever you like -> On Start Hide Vortex or whatever -> Run in shell off -> Run detached on  -> Save.

Now you should have a SKSE icon beside your Skyrim button on top left. Thats the only point where you normaly should start your game because as said before -  Vortex is giving your Modlist only on this way in the right deploy/load order to the installed SKSE.

If you like to use a SKSE link on your desktop then you have to install also LOOT and run deploy and sort in Vortex pluss 1 more Sort through LOOT. 

 

To the Windows 11 thing i can only say that i use 11 since it was possible to use on my system without any problems when you are following some standards for a pure gaming PC under installation/upgrading from 10 to 11. It's easy to find some guides for Windows 11 as gaming PC OS. The pure base you can find here https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-optimize-windows-11-for-gaming/

If you are installing windows new then do not allow Onedrive at all if you don't need it but it should not cause any problems except with bandwith and a little CPU power. Start then with to adjust your graphic settings according your game setup (for ex. use of Upscaler or SSEdisplay Tweaks)

Don't forget to install crashlogger .

 

PS: On the left pane you can find under General -> Knowlegde base. It's a good point where you can find out how to use Vortex.

[7Kemmotare]

On 12/20/2024 at 10:25 AM, weiht68 said:

If you are using Vortex you have to install everything, including SKSE, through Vortex. If you don't do this then maybe SKSE is working but because Vortex is using a "virtual" filesystem/modfolder to give installed mods to Skyrim you can't start your modded game. 

The right thing is to install SKSE through Vortex including enginefixes 1 and 2, papyrus and so on.

 So, I uninstalled everything, worked on reinstallingeverything until this point. Part two of the enginefix can only be installed manually. Now, if vortex is using this virtual filesystem/modfolder, then I'm not sure where to manually install this file. I presume I shouldn't just try experimenting by myself about this, so I need at least a good hint as to what to do about this step. I'll be checking back in from time to time today. Thanks for the help!

[7Kemmotare]

6 hours ago, 7Kemmotare said:

 So, I uninstalled everything, worked on reinstallingeverything until this point. Part two of the enginefix can only be installed manually. Now, if vortex is using this virtual filesystem/modfolder, then I'm not sure where to manually install this file. I presume I shouldn't just try experimenting by myself about this, so I need at least a good hint as to what to do about this step. I'll be checking back in from time to time today. Thanks for the help!

 Mea culpa. Bothered to look at the instructions and figured it out. I'll keep going with the instructions given above and later report back in.

 

EDIT: Followed all the directions from weiht68's post and everything is running well. I am ever so grateful for the help. 

 

Edited 19 hours ago by 7Kemmotare
update info in post