I'm trying to mod Skyrim for the first time using Nexus Mods, and I'm completely overwhelmed by the load order and compatibility issues. I've installed a few popular texture and gameplay overhauls through Vortex, but my game crashes on startup. I suspect a conflict, but I have no idea how to read the crash logs or manually adjust the load order beyond what the manager suggests. Are there any essential tools or a standard process for troubleshooting a broken mod list, or should I just start over with a more curated guide?
Yep—start with a clean baseline and fix the load order first. Use LOOT to sort, then boot the game with no texture or gameplay mods and make sure it runs. If that works, re-add mods in small batches and test each run.
Use SSEEdit (TES5Edit) to scan for conflicts and create a clean patch. Check for masters and dependencies, and if two mods touch the same records, you’ll want a patch that merges them. A Wrye Bash patch can help keep a safe, consolidated load order and log what changed.
Make a simple troubleshooting checklist: backup your save, disable everything, verify the game launches cleanly. Then enable mods in small groups, run for a bit, note any crash or instability, and watch the load order. If it crashes at startup, it’s usually a master/script issue rather than a simple ordering problem.
Common culprits include missing master files, using the wrong mod version for your game build (SSE vs Oldrim), and mods that require SKSE or other runtime tools. Also watch for heavy texture packs that spike memory and cause CTDs.
Share your exact mod list with load order, your game version, and platform, and I can sketch a minimal viable baseline plus a safe incremental plan you can actually follow.
If you want a steadier path, consider a curated, well-tested load order guide for your exact setup rather than adding mods haphazardly. A vetted list can save hours of debugging and keep things stable.