Modding Oblivion [Help, Fixes & Tweaks]

Overview

A definitive, go-to guide for any issues, questions or help regarding modding or general tweaking and fixes for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Rather than acting as a recommended download list, this is intended to limit the repeated queries in the Discussion threads and help your experience overall.

Introduction & General Tips

This guide was created to help many of the common issues faced by the modding community. It is meant to be as comprehensive as possible but is likely to miss some issues that you might be experiencing. A lot of these tips can apply to other Bethesda games and the guide will also encompass some problems outside of modding.

Both the guide and I are, in no way, condoned, employed, paid or associated to any degree with Bethesda, Zenimax and any of their subsidiaries.

It is also important to note as a disclaimer that my technical knowledge is minimal and, as such, the guide is based off not only personal experience, but a whole range of discussions and contributors’ work in the TES modding and support community. They have helped just as much as I in creating this and deserve just as much acknowledgement for its creation. Ultimately, the guide acts as an attempt of combining all the collective/common knowledge into an easily accessible format to hopefully make your modding life easier.
But we don’t bite, so always be sure to ask if you’re in need of help.

But before you even begin to mod your game however, it is important to remember these tips, most of which can fix and even prevent CTDs from occuring in the first place.

• Always remember to enable the main files in the Data section of the launcher. These are the .esm/.esp files that Oblivion requires to run in the first place and, when not enabled, will cause the game to crash at the menu screen.
• Please read through the description page on the download site where you get the mod, whether that is the Nexus or various forums. Choosing to wing it rather than properly reading the instructions generally causes a lot of these problems in the first place.
• Along with the previous point, be sure to check for file dependencies! One of the most common causes of crashing and issues is that you’ve installed a mod that requires a DLC that you either haven’t enabled or don’t have at all. While this most likely doesn’t affect a lot of Steam users (due to the widespread availability of the Game of the Year editions) some mods also require other mods installed to work properly and thus should be placed higher in the load order to ensure priority and, overall, compatibility.
• It is generally recommended that you use a mod manager rather than manually installing, as it’s easier and more convenient. Nexus Mod Manager[www.nexusmods.com] is good for Fallout 3 and later Bethesda games, but it’s better to use OBMM[www.nexusmods.com] or Wrye Bash[www.nexusmods.com] to manage your mods as these were specifically designed to work with Oblivion. The Bashed Patch is especially handy. For detailed texture replacers, be sure to check the attached readme documents for assistance.
• Always back up your .ini files before editing or changing them.
• To help your game run better, tools such as BOSS[boss-developers.github.io] are ideal for helping to optimise your load order and avoid incompatibilities. Easy to use and install, this is a must-have.
• Make sure your drivers and DirectX versions are up-to-date. If after installing the latest driver upgrade, you experience performance issues or instability then revert to using the previous and most stable version available. For those with integrated GPUs, be sure to make sure that the best one is running by choosing them in, for example, the Nvidia control panel.
• Oblivion Script Extender (OBSE) is an important and very popular tool that is used with most of the major mods. It runs through the Steam version without having to set a specfic separate shortcut, and I’ll include an installation guide below.
• If you’re running an illegitimate version then any issues you encounter are of your own making. I will not respond to anyone using these versions or copies. Just buy it, people.
• A good suggestion for when an issue arises after tinkering with the files in the installation directory is to verify the integrity of the game cache, which can be done by right-clicking on Oblivion in your Steam library and finding Properties and then Local Files.

Above all, use TES4Edit[www.nexusmods.com] to help detect incompatiblities with your mod load order and clean up mods. It’s a simple program that can be installed where you like and is very convenient. Also, you don’t have to completely uninstall a mod when a problem is detected either and just disabling it by unchecking the box has the same effect as an uninstall, i.e. that your game is back to what it was.

And, before you ask, yes.. your PC most likely can run Oblivion. It’s an old game that requires hardly demanding specs to run fairly well, so most PCs should be able to run the unmodded version perfectly fine with at least 30 FPS.

So, let’s continue on into the guide.

Common Questions (F.A.Q.)

Though it is significantly more optimised than Fallout 3, using the Gamebryo engine makes the game volatile enough as it is and Oblivion is prone to crashing randomly. However, most issues are caused by something specific rather than poorly optimised chance, so these are relatively quick solutions for most of your questions.

• Does this work for Windows XP, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 etc.?
  Yes. Windows 10 can have issues due to how recently it was released, but it seems to be running perfectly well for most people and is most likely due to one of the issues listed below rather than the OS itself.
• How do I limit my FPS?
  For some higher end PCs, the game can run at a ridiculously high framerate, causing it to run at a hyperspeed FPS of 900+. This can be fixed by turning Vsync off and setting the iFPSClamp=0 to iFPSClamp=60 in your oblivion.ini file.
• I didn’t backup my .ini file(s) when tinkering around with them. What do I do?
  All good. You can either find the original file values online or delete them and run Oblivion to generate a new file.
• My frame-rate is stuttering, low and/or unstable.
  Whether in general or specific locations, if you’re running some of the bigger overhauls, such as Better Cities or Reloaded or even texture packs, then it may be that you simply don’t have the specs good enough to cope with it. In this case, I’d suggest uninstalling them and loading a save in a cell that hasn’t been edited by the mod(s) before you continue playing. If you’re running a vanilla (un-modded) or lightly modded game and experiencing this, it shouldn’t be due to your specs.
  In this case, it can be due to a variety of things:
  – The settings in your GPU control panel have overridden your custom settings for each game, in which case all you need to do is simply change the settings from forced to customisable options.
  – If this doesn’t help, then you can also try using OSR[www.nexusmods.com], the OO[www.nexusmods.com] mod or the Tweak Guide[www.tweakguides.com] pages to optimise your settings. Note that the Oblivion Stutter Remover (OSR) can impact on some higher end rigs with the frame rate cap.
• I can’t Alt+Tab properly and/or it causes the game to crash, freeze, etc.
  I’d suggest using a mod such as this[www.nexusmods.com], this[www.nexusmods.com] or setting your game into a windowed mode. Repeatedly clicking ESC or not using the Steam overlay before switching between screens can also help prevent this.
• OBSE isn’t working.
  Consult the installation guide below to make sure everything has been installed and run correctly. It can also be due to a problem with a Steam overlay, in which case you can either disable it while playing or install the 0017b optional file found here[www.nexusmods.com].
• My screen has gone completely grey in-game or has failed to work upon loading a save file.
  This grey screen bug is most likely due to an issue with the shaders, which you restore with the original ones here[www.nexusmods.com]. This can arise from using the big graphical overhauls/updates like OBGE or custom tweaking.
• My launcher is stuck on an infinite loop, repeatedly closing and launching itself but not the game.
  Unfortunately, this seems to be a randomly occuring problem without any definite fixes as it appears to also affect Steam. First try running the .exe file through the installation folder rather than Steam. Be sure to check that is being run as an adminstrator, especially if you have mods installed. If the launcher is still stuck, then you can either try verifying the integrity of the game cache, (which is explained above), or running it through compatibility mode.
• My character is stuck in a custom pose.
  Always activate the custom pose items while in third-person perspective, otherwise the animations will cause serious problems such as this. If you activated it while in first-person, it can be fixed most of the time by talking to an NPC which resets the animation back to normal. Remember to hotkey the pose item in your inventory to help toggle it on or off.
• My player character and/or the installed armor/weapon mod is invisible, warped, etc.
  As mentioned in the introductory section, first be sure that you’ve read through the mod description and required files completely to make sure you’ve installed it correctly. If the issue persists then for custom bodies like HGEC, Robert’s replacers or especially breast physics mods, there are certain incompatibilities with using custom skeletons or certain armour mods, in which case I’d recommend trying something like Coronerra’s amazing Universal Skeleton that can be found here.[www.nexusmods.com]
• I’ve encountered a bug on one of the vanilla or DLC quests.
  Using the unofficial patches will help in most cases, with the base game patch here[www.nexusmods.com], the Deluxe Edition DLCs here[www.nexusmods.com] and the Shivering Isles patch here[www.nexusmods.com]. The patches have been known to cause some minor conflicts with some other mods but there shouldn’t be any problems for most people using them.
• My (keyboard) controls have stopped working.
  This can be due to a whole range of things, so I can suggest two possible solutions. Firstly, you can simply try Alt+Tabbing out and back in again or changing bBackground Keyboard=0 in your .ini file to bBackground Keyboard=1. If that doesn’t work, then try updating or installing codec packs such as K-lite or Nightmare. You also might get lucky and simply just need to unplug and then plug your keyboard and mouse back in if they’re running through USB ports.
• How do I get my Xbox controller to work? Does it work at all?
  It depends. For some people, the controller works perfectly well, others, not at all. This mod[www.nexusmods.com] can help or the solution listed below, taken from the Bethesda forums.[forums.bethsoft.com]

  Although the PC version of Oblivion handles best when played with a keyboard and mouse, it is possible to play the game with an assortment of game pads as well […] it may be necessary to make a few changes to the Oblivion.ini file located in My DocumentsMy GamesOblivion. Below is a list of the settings that can be changed to make a Xbox 360 controller attached to a PC, function better with Oblivion […] Additionally, these settings can be applied to other game pads, but the values represented may need to be tweaked further. Finally, the mapping of the buttons will need to be determined when entering the game, and can be changed in Options – Controls, from the Main Menu – Do NOT map the directional controls (Forward, Backward, Left, Right), as this will overwrite certain changes made in the Oblivion.ini file.

  These are the default settings in the Oblivion.ini:
  ;X = 1, Y = 2, Z = 3, XRot = 4, YRot = 5, ZRot = 6
  iJoystickMoveFrontBack=2
  iJoystickMoveLeftRight=1
  fJoystickMoveFBMult=1.0000
  fJoystickMoveLRMult=1.0000
  iJoystickLookUpDown=6
  iJoystickLookLeftRight=3
  fJoystickLookUDMult=0.0020
  fJoystickLookLRMult=0.0020
  Change to these values to get better functionality from a 360 game pad connected to a PC.
  ;X = 1, Y = 2, Z = 3, XRot = 4, YRot = 5, ZRot = 6
  iJoystickMoveFrontBack=2
  iJoystickMoveLeftRight=1
  fJoystickMoveFBMult=2.0000
  fJoystickMoveLRMult=2.0000
  iJoystickLookUpDown=5
  iJoystickLookLeftRight=4
  fJoystickLookUDMult=0.7500
  fJoystickLookLRMult=0.7500

Mod & File Types

Before you get into the fine detail of modding, it’s important to distinguish and properly use each mod file. This section will explain not only each type but also act as a slight tutorial on the main managers for installing mods. As most mods will come in a compressed folder upon download, I recommend using a program such as 7-zip[www.7-zip.org] or Winrar[www.rarlab.com] to extract the files.
These are especially important if you wish to install mods manually.

• .omod
  These files are packaged and ready to go for the Oblivion Mod Manager (OBMM) and can be loaded straight into it and activated easily, with exception to any specific instructions that the mod page might have included.
• .bsa
  These resource archives generally require .esm/.esp files to work with properly, with all three types able to simply be extracted to your /Oblivion/Data directory or decompressed and activated through OBMM or Wrye Bash.
• .esm/.esp
  As mentioned previously, these are the files that you’ll be interacting with the most, as they are the “activating points” for the mods you install. Just like before, they can be manually extracted to the Data directory (along with all the other files they require, of course) or through a mod manager, preferably OBMM.
• BAIN archives
  Specifically designed for Wrye Bash, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever need to use this method of installation. It’s good for manual installations however, and in most cases just requires a drag-and-drop method into the Installer screen of WB.
• Miscellaneous optimisation files and texture/effect replacers
  These are quite rare and should be installed by following the readme or instructions on the mod page. Remember to backup your original files beforehand.

Wrye Bash tends to be used for very specific and detailed mods, so in most cases, OBMM is the manager that is best suited to the average modder.

If you’re using OBMM and attempting to install a .zip file that has loose files rather than the .omod format then you can create one in the .omod format for the manager to handle.
First, open your Oblivion Mod Manager found in the root directory Oblivion folder NOT your Data folder. Click on the button on the bottom of the screen near the centre that says Create. Another window will appear on top of it, in which case you’ll need to click ‘Add archive’ and direct it to the download. Once you’ve found it, click Open. The file might come with conversion data, such as a file name or the author. If not, then for the sake of convenience, give it a title to help you remember what it is.

After you’ve done that, then click the Create omod button on the bottom right and after that’s done, activate it. If it’s green, it’s good to go and, once it’s turned blue, it has been activated. Be sure to tick the file in your load order to make sure it’s enabled and, if need be, use BOSS to help prioritise your load order. You’re done.

Next, we can finally get to sort out Oblivion Script Extender.

Oblivion Script Extender (OBSE)

Oblivion Script Extender is perhaps the most commonly used tool amongst the modding community, with the relevant versions of other Bethesda games also widely dependent on it. Having frequently come across threads where people have encountered issues with OBSE, this guide and, obviously, section shall include an installation and set-up tutorial for OBSE.

First of all, you’ll need to download it from either:
– The official site here.[obse.silverlock.org]
– The Nexus page here.[www.nexusmods.com]

The Nexus page contains an automated installer option which may be preferable to some and simply requires extraction to a folder of your choice and then running it and following the prompts. Note that both of these versions require Oblivion to be patched up to the latest version of 1.2.0.416 which should be already done for most Steam users.

For manual installation however, it is somewhat more complex. First of all, do not attempt to install it with a mod manager. This is not a typical mod, rather a tool that assists the overall game engine and should be treated as such.

After you’ve downloaded and decompressed the zip file containing the OBSE files you need, select or extract all the files and drop them into your Steam/SteamApps/common/Oblivion directory.

For those who aren’t using the Steam version, then you’ll need to run your game by launching the obse_loader.exe in the folder each time you play or by setting up a shortcut to it on your desktop. For those with the Steam version however, if you’ve installed it correctly, it should launch along with the base game in the usual way through your Steam library and the play button.

Be sure to check the F.A.Q. above if it isn’t working for the solution.

For OBSE plugins, such as Blockhead[www.nexusmods.com] for the OCO[www.nexusmods.com], they need to be placed in the Plugin directory that can be found in /SteamApps/common/Oblivion/Data/OBSE/Plugins folder.

Just drop it in and you should be good to go.

Final Comments

Be careful with the amount of mods you have because the more you install, the more unstable the already volatile game gets. This[www.nexusmods.com] can help improve stability, as well as core improvements and the 4GB patch here[www.nexusmods.com] or here[www.ntcore.com].

Outside of running mods or playing around with managers and other tools, there is also general bits of advice I can offer to help improve your experience overall.

• An easy way to improve performance is to close all unnecessary programs before launching the game to free up disk usage and RAM space that can, instead, be spent on helping your game run better. Anti-virus software can also interfere with the game and should be disabled, and make sure that User Account Control isn’t interfering as well if you’re not running it as an Administrator.
• If you’ve encountered issues with clipping or other minor annoyances while playing the game and the suggestions above haven’t been able to help, then try loading a previous save or rebooting your game and/or PC.
• Messing around with ‘setstage’ or spawning commands, even console commands in general, can severely impact your performance and stability of the game, causing it to crash or freeze. In cases where a quest or NPC path has glitched out or frozen and setstage or movetoqt doesn’t help, I’d suggest loading a save prior to the console commands being used, and possibly rebooting your game as well.
• On the subject of console commands, many of them can help by-pass issues with the engine or bugs. While they aren’t lore-friendly and obviously immersion-breaking, commands such as tcl can help if you’re stuck in part of the game world. If you wish to know more about the commands available for a variety of situations, they can be found here[elderscrolls.wikia.com] and typed-in through the console, which is activated by clicking your tilde (~) key. Spawning items, unlocking doors, resurrecting the dead, changing the field of view.. the possibilities are (nearly) endless and are limited only by the way in which you wish to play. Whether or not these are ‘cheats’ comes down to personal opinion and I’ve included them for the sake of raising awareness and continued convenience. Do whatever you’d like with them.
• If you’re confused about the order you should play the game and respective DLCs, it’s generally lore-appropriate to play the main campaign, Knights of the Nine either towards the end of it or after the ending and finish with Shivering Isles. Be aware that this is just a suggestion though, and you are, of course, welcome to play the game however you’d like.
• Oblivion uses a complex scaling and damage calculation system that is dependent on the skill and attributes of your character, alongside the difficulty level, to manipulate combat and gameplay. So if you’re being annihilated by enemies and becoming frustrated, there are a variety of suggestions I can offer:
  – Turn down the difficulty level.
  – Use armour/weapon mods. These tend to be overpowered however, so it’s up to you.
  – Flee/avoid from combat and focus on training and leveling up the skill(s) that you aren’t sufficiently skilled in. There’s no use going up against a boss using a sword when you only have a Blade skill of 10. So, in general, pay close attention to your stats and leveling and, above all, play to your strengths and the class-type you’ve designed.
  If you’re looking for suggestions for a well-rounded and enjoyable class build, then focus on Sneak, an Armor type, Blade and/or Marksman. Higher ranks and abilities can make your character very powerful, along with the variety of spells (which can be crafted as well as bought/learnt), buffs and enchantments available. Once again, however, this depends on your playstyle.
• If you are unable to save or can’t load a file due it being corrupt, then first try reloading a previous save, as saving right on a crash corrupts the file. For the first option though, this can be caused by accidently hitting Tab and a common workaround is to reset your player name by using the command: player.SetActorFullName “Player Name” Once that’s reset, it should work.
• If you’ve encountered yellow exclamation marks, these signal incorrectly installed or glitched meshes, in which case you need to add the .bsa file names of the added mod to the SArchiveList of your Oblivion.ini in your My Documents/My Games/Oblivion directory.
• The final bit of advice I can give is to simply use your common sense. If two mods are said to change the same cell or landscape, then obviously there is going to be an incompatibility and there are plenty of ways, both listed above and widely available, to avoid this.

And that, as they say, is that.

Conclusion

So, here we are. A big thank you to the modding and player community, BGS for creating the game of course, and anyone who has gone to the effort of reading this.
I hope it has been beneficial to some degree.

If you wish to know more, then there are plenty of other (more detailed) guides such as Mythic Dawn[wiki.step-project.com] or across the various forums as well as a variety of video guides and tutorials on YouTube.

If you have any suggestions, questions or comments, then feel free to ask below or leave them on my Steam profile page. I’ve surely missed some suggestions or points, and will continue to edit this guide periodicially in the future. Once again, it is not as if I or any other frequent contributors deliberately aim to ignore or irritate people who use the Discussion threads, we are prone to making mistakes and, especially when helping those who speak another language, translation errors.

So, above all, please be polite, patient and constructive when asking for help or helping others out, where that is on Steam or any other public space or forum.

To finish, I wish those launching a playthrough the best of luck for running a modded game and feel free to ask for help if there’s any issues.
These are the closing lines of the fifth paragraph and the final section.. of the guide.