I have put quite a bit of time into FO4 and really enjoyed it. Took a break for a month or so to play other games. Trying to play now and it no longer works. I get a CTD in the opening cinematic/startup. This actually happens for TESV as well. My computer is well beyond the minimum and recommended specs for both games (GeForce GTX 970, Intel i7-6700K CPU @ 4.00 GHz, 16 GB RAM, Windows 10) and I am not using mods. I have updated my drivers, checked the cache on Steam, uninstalled and reinstalled. What am I missing here? Other games such as Far Cry4 and MGS5 work perfectly on my PC. This problem seems to be specific to Bethesda games.

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. I would really like to get back to FO4.

Are you using the F4SE Script Extender? If so, you will need to update it each time FO4 is patched.

Mods can also cause crashes after patches so temporarily start a clean character and see if the problem persists WITHOUT mods.

I literally cannot make it past the startup. Did you read my post?

I could try the script extender. But it seems to me that something is fundamentally wrong here. I am re-downloading FO4 now via Steam, again. I don't understand why the game would work for 70+ hours and then stop without me making any direct changes to files or drivers. I updated drivers to try to get it working again.

Maybe try deleting the inis locating in your my documents/my games/Fallout 4 folder and letting the game remake them, you'll need to redo graphics options as well.

Also try moving the saves folder elsewhere. Make sure the cloud is disabled for FO4 or else it will restore the saves directory.

C:\...............\Documents\My Games\Fallout4

Are you using mods?

Disable all mods and delete them from that profile, this will not delete the mod and can be installed again so don't worry.


Delete all ini files in C:\Users\(your computer name)\Documents\My Games\Fallout4


Check the cache files in steam and it will update the ini files for you.


Now try your game and see if it work.


If you do have mods then you must update them for the new patch.


Only enabled 1 mod at a time till you find out which one, that is if you have mods.