Fixing Skyrim Mod Issues at Beginning of Game: Walking into Carriage Glitches

Skyrim, the beloved open-world RPG from Bethesda, offers countless hours of immersive gameplay and exploration. However, for many players—especially those who dabble in modding—technical glitches can disrupt this experience. One particularly frustrating issue many gamers encounter is the “walking into the carriage” glitch at the beginning of the game. If you find yourself stuck in this predicament, fear not. This guide will provide essential steps and tips to help you troubleshoot and resolve this issue.

Understanding the Issue

The “walking into the carriage” glitch often occurs right at the game’s opening sequence, where your character rides in a cart. Instead of heading towards Hadvar or proceeding with the storyline, your character may begin to walk back into the cart, causing the game to freeze or simply stall. This issue is commonly reported by players who have installed various mods, but it can also happen in unmodded versions due to inherent bugs or conflicts.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Uninstall Mods Temporarily:
The first step in resolving this glitch is to uninstall any mods you’ve recently installed. Start the game without any mods to see if the problem persists. This process can help you determine if a specific mod is causing the issue.
Test with Minimal Mods:
If you need to use mods, try activating just the essential ones. Avoid enabling mods that alter gameplay mechanics, character movement, or the game’s initialization process. For those using alternate start mods, consider using them only after the carriage ride has finished.
Check Load Order:
If you are familiar with mod management tools such as Nexus Mod Manager or Mod Organizer 2, it’s crucial to check the load order of your mods. Certain mods may conflict with each other, resulting in unexpected behaviors. Load order can significantly impact gameplay, so ensure that mods are organized correctly.
Update Your Mods:
Mod developers often release updates to address bugs and compatibility issues. Make sure all your mods are updated to the latest versions. Check mod pages for any known issues and possible fixes related to the “walking into the carriage” glitch.
Adjust Game Settings:
Sometimes, performance issues may cause glitches. Make sure your graphics settings are optimized for your PC. Lowering the settings can improve performance and may resolve glitches. Remember to check the frame rate (FPS) as well—if your game is running poorly, it could amplify glitches.
Repair or Validate Game Files:
If you are using Steam, you can verify the integrity of your game files. Right-click on Skyrim in your library, go to Properties, then Local Files, and select “Verify integrity of game files.” This process will replace any missing or corrupted files that may be contributing to gameplay issues.
Use Alternate Start Mods Wisely:
If you prefer to use an alternate start mod, like “Alternate Start – Live Another Life,” it might be best to only activate this mod after the initial cart scene. This method allows you to bypass potential starting glitches while enjoying the benefits of alternate gameplay.
Seek Community Solutions:
The Skyrim modding community is vast and vibrant. If the fixes above do not work, don’t hesitate to turn to forums or discussion boards like the Skyrim subreddit or Nexus Mods community. Other players may have experienced similar issues and can offer valuable insights or solutions.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with mod issues in Skyrim, particularly the “walking into the carriage” glitch, can be a trial-and-error process. However, by systematically troubleshooting your mod setup, optimizing your game settings, and utilizing community resources, you can resolve these frustrating glitches and enjoy the rich, immersive experience that Skyrim has to offer.

Remember, playing a modded version of Skyrim enhances the game but also increases the potential for bugs and issues. Always back up your save files and mod installations so that you can easily revert to a stable state if necessary. Happy gaming!