Skyrim Infinite Loading Screen? Fixes That Work

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

If you are stuck on an infinite loading screen in Skyrim, the game has failed to finish loading the next area or save, and the fix usually involves disabling mods, verifying game files, or adjusting your save/INI settings. Below are the proven causes and step-by-step fixes for both the Special Edition and the original 2011 release.

Why Does Skyrim Get Stuck on Loading Screens?

Skyrim’s engine loads cells (interior or exterior areas) and save data in a single thread. If something in that load process hangs, the loading screen stays forever. Common triggers:

Mod conflicts – especially script-heavy mods or mods that change the same records.
Corrupted save files – a save that references a missing mod or contains bad data.
Too many mods – exceeding the plugin limit (255 for .esp/.esm) or using too many scripts.
Outdated mods – mods that were not updated for the Special Edition or the current game version.
Ini settings – incorrect memory settings (especially in Oldrim) or a broken load order.
Hardware/driver issues – outdated graphics drivers or a failing hard drive can cause long or infinite loads.

How to Fix an Infinite Loading Screen (Step-by-Step)

Try these in order, testing after each step. Most fixes require you to restart the game.

Force-close and restart the game. Sometimes the load just takes unusually long. Wait 2–3 minutes before assuming it is stuck. If it never finishes, close Skyrim from Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and relaunch.
Disable all mods. Launch the game through the vanilla launcher (or set the mod manager to a profile with zero mods). If the game loads, a mod is the cause. Re-enable mods in batches to find the culprit.
Verify game files. On Steam: right-click Skyrim → Properties → Local Files → Verify Integrity of Game Files. On GOG: use the GOG Galaxy client’s “Manage Installation� → “Verify�.
Clear the shader cache. In your Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition\ folder, delete the “Shaders� folder. The game will rebuild it.
Reset your INI files. In the same folder, delete or rename Skyrim.ini and SkyrimPrefs.ini. The game will regenerate them. This fixes many memory and loading issues.
Load an earlier save. If the problem happens after a specific save, load a save from before that point. If you don’t have one, you may need to start a new game.
Remove and reinstall the mod that you added last. If the issue started after installing a new mod, that mod is the prime suspect.
Update your graphics drivers. Outdated drivers can cause the game to hang on loading screens, especially after Windows updates.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

“More RAM will fix it.� Skyrim’s engine is 32-bit (Oldrim) and cannot use more than ~4GB. Special Edition is 64-bit but still has memory limits. Adding RAM rarely fixes infinite loads.
“It’s a sign of a dying hard drive.� Not always. A failing drive can cause long loads, but most infinite screens are software-related.
“Disabling mods mid-game is safe.� It can break your save. If you disable a mod that added items or scripts, your save may become corrupted. Always test on a backup save.
“The loading screen is just slow; wait longer.� Some areas (like cities) can take 1–2 minutes on old hardware, but an infinite screen never finishes. If it hasn’t loaded after 5 minutes, it’s stuck.

Limits of These Fixes

No fix works 100% of the time. If your save is corrupted beyond repair, you’ll lose progress. Mods that are incompatible with your game version may never work. Also, these steps apply to the PC version; console players can only remove mods and reinstall the game, as they cannot edit INI files or verify files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Skyrim get stuck on the loading screen when fast traveling?

Fast travel loads a new cell. If that cell has a mod conflict or the save has too many scripts, the load can hang. Try disabling mods that affect that area (e.g., city overhaul mods) or load a save from before the fast travel.

Will uninstalling all mods fix my current save?

No. Uninstalling mods from an existing save can actually cause more problems, because the save still references those mods. You may need to load a save from before you installed the mods, or start a new game.

Does the Special Edition have fewer infinite loading screens than Oldrim?

Generally yes. The Special Edition is 64-bit and more stable, but it still has the same engine bugs. Mods are the primary cause in both versions.

Can an infinite loading screen be caused by a corrupted save file?

Yes. If a save references a mod that was removed, or if the save file is damaged, the game may hang while loading it. Try loading an earlier save or starting a new game.

Is there a mod that fixes infinite loading screens?

There are mods like “SSE Engine Fixes� (for Special Edition) that address some engine bugs, but they don’t fix every instance. The best fix is to identify and remove the problematic mod.

How long should a normal loading screen take?

On a modern PC with an SSD, most loading screens take 5–20 seconds. On an old hard drive, it can take 1–2 minutes. If it goes beyond 5 minutes, it’s likely infinite.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.