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Fallout 4

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
Revision as of 06:15, 13 January 2018 by Aday (talk | contribs) (→‎SMAA)
Fallout 4
Fallout 4 cover
Developers
Bethesda Game Studios
Publishers
Bethesda Softworks
Engines
Creation Engine
Release dates
Windows November 10, 2015
Fallout 4 guide on StrategyWiki
Fallout 4 on Wikipedia
Fallout
Fallout 1997
Fallout 2 1998
Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel 2001
Fallout 3 2008
Fallout: New Vegas 2010
Fallout 4 2015
Fallout Shelter 2016
Fallout 4 VR 2017
Fallout 76 2018

For the VR version, see Fallout 4 VR.

Key points

Extensive modding support and community.
Frame rates above 60 FPS will cause the game physics to behave strangely and the lockpicking/hacking mini-games to behave erratically.[1]

General information

PC Report
Bethesda Forum for Hardware & Software Issues on PC
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Icon overlay.png
Incomplete installer.[2]
Windows
Publisher website
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Amazon.com
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Windows
Amazon.co.uk
Icon overlay.png
Windows
GamersGate
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Gamesplanet logo.svg
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Incorrect store name. See here for available options.
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Green Man Gaming
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Humble Store
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Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Windows
All versions require Steam DRM.
The Fallout Pip-Boy App is available for Android, iOS, and Incorrect store name. See here for available options.. This feature can be enabled under Options, Gameplay, by setting Pip-Boy App Enabled to On.

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Season Pass Contains all paid DLC.
Windows
Automatron
Windows
Wasteland Workshop
Windows
Far Harbor
Windows
Contraptions Workshop
Windows
Vault-Tec Workshop
Windows
Nuka World
Windows
High Resolution Texture Pack (Free) Optional, much higher-quality textures for high-end machines. Requires an additional 58 GB of space. 8GB of RAM and VRAM are recommended.[3]
Windows

Essential improvements

Skip intro videos

Modify Fallout4Custom.ini[4]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open Fallout4Custom.ini or create it if it does not exist.
  3. Add or modify the following lines under [General]:
sIntroSequence=
fChancesToPlayAlternateIntro=0
uMainMenuDelayBeforeAllowSkip=0

Utilities

BethINI

BethINI is a .ini optimizer that also works as a configuration utility. It has well tested and optimized presets that could improve performance and fidelity.
Download BethINI[5]
  1. Download BethINI.
  2. Extract the contents and run BethINI.exe.
  3. In the Setup tab make sure Fallout 4 is selected as Game.
  4. In the Basic tab choose either Vanilla or BethINI presets and choose one of the available presets. BethINI presets are optimized and trimmed versions of Vanilla presets.
  5. Modify settings in each tab as desired.
  6. After finished click Save and Exit in the Basic tab, BethINI will sort your .ini files alphabetically and merge already existing tweaks in your previous .ini files.

Notes

It also supports other Bethesda titles such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition, Fallout 3, and Fallout: New Vegas.

Patches

Unofficial Fallout 4 Patch

A comprehensive bug fixing mod that aims to eventually fix every bug with Fallout 4 not officially resolved by the developers.

Mods

ENBoost

Fixes stuttering issues when there is no more available video memory, occurs when using high resolution texture mods.
Can force V-sync, includes a frame limiter to help prevent stutter.
Installing and Configuring ENBoost[citation needed]
  1. Download the latest version of ENBoost for Fallout 4.
  2. Unzip all files from the Patch folder in the archive into the installation folder. [See Notes]
  3. Open enblocal.ini with text editor, modify the following values:
  • ApplyStabilityPatch=[false/true] - Stability fixes, the effectiveness varies from user to user. If this worsens the performance, set to false.
  • UsePatchSpeedhackWithoutGraphics=[false/true] - Recommended to enable for maximum performance.
  • ForceVideoMemorySize=[false/true] - Allocates more video memory from RAM and the pagefile.
  • VideoMemorySizeMb=[RAM + VRAM - 300MB for SSDs, or the VRamSizeTest result - 300MB for HDDs] - [See Notes] Forces video memory available in Mebibytes.
  • ForceVSync=[false/true] - Different than the game's default Vsync, and helps prevent stuttering and screen tearing.
  • VSyncSkipNumFrames=[0, 1, 2, or 3] - Mainly for users with high refresh rate monitors (>60Hz) and should be set to '0' for other users.
  • EnableFPSLimit=[false/true] - Caps the frame rate to assigned value. This will solve the physics issues relating to high frame rates, may also solve screen tearing.
  • FPSLimit=[61.0] - The frame rate you wish to cap the game at.
  • DisableFakeLights=[false/true] - Disables rim lights for all characters. Has a small performance impact.

Notes

If you use ReShade or any other tool that uses the d3d11.dll file, rename that tool's DLL file to dxgi.dll.
If the game is installed on an SSD, do not use the VRamSizeTest utility, as it also allocates some HDD space, which can affect your SSD's life.
Use the VRamSizeTest utility if the game is installed on an HDD to correctly determine the amount of memory that can be allocated to the game.

Game data

Gameplay settings.
Gameplay settings.

Configuration file(s) location

Template:Game data/row
System Location
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/377160/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game data location

Template:Game data/row
System Location
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/377160/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Steam Cloud
Stores up to 1 GB of game saves online (maximum 1000 files).

Video settings

Launcher settings.
Launcher settings.
Launcher advanced settings.
Launcher advanced settings.
Video settings.
Video settings.

Template:Video settings

Widescreen resolution

Modify Fallout4Prefs.ini[6]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open Fallout4Prefs.ini.
  3. Under [Display] modify the following parameters:
iSize W=XXXX
iSize H=XXXX

Field of view (FOV)

Modify Fallout4Custom.ini[4]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open Fallout4Custom.ini or create it if it does not exist.
  3. Under [Display] add or modify the following parameters:
fDefault1stPersonFOV=XX
fDefaultWorldFOV=XX

Notes

fDefault1stPersonFOV controls first person camera and PipBoy, fDefaultWorldFOV controls third person camera.
Modifying fDefault1stPersonFOV will also modify PipBoy's field of view which might be an undesirable side effect for some users. In that case consider using Flawless Widescreen.

Vertical sync (Vsync)

Modify Fallout4Prefs.ini[6]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open Fallout4Prefs.ini.
  3. Under [Display] change iPresentInterval to 0.

Notes

Disabling vertical sync will cause frame rate to exceed 60 FPS which may cause physics issues and make the game unstable. See Frame rate capping.

Disable Depth of Field

Modify Fallout4Prefs.ini[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open Fallout4Prefs.ini.
  3. Find the following lines, and set them to these values.
bDoDepthOfField=0
bScreenSpaceBokeh=0

Notes

Will cause underwater effects to disappear.

SMAA

SMAA Anti-Aliasing with SweetFX[7]
  1. Download SweetFX
  2. Extract binary files to executable location, and replace DLL's with one's from x64 folder
  3. Download this SweetFX_Settings.txt file and replace the one that came with the archive
In-game TAA has a blurriness that disorientates some people. Injected SMAA gives a crisper picture, also has smoother edges than FXAA.

Input settings

Input settings.
Input settings.

Template:Input settings

Vertical sensitivity

Modify Fallout4Custom.ini[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open Fallout4Custom.ini.
  3. Add the following lines.
[Controls]
fIronSightsPitchSpeedRatio=1
fPitchSpeedRatio=1

Audio settings

Audio settings.
Audio settings.
Most languages are region locked by default.

Template:Audio settings

Localizations

Available in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish in most European countries.
Russia and Poland are limited to Russian and Polish, the English language is also available.
The global version has all the languages available, an example is purchasing the game on Green Man Gaming which has all languages even Japanese.[8]
Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Not available in Japan.[9]
Traditional Chinese
Asia only, not included in Japan.[9]
French
Europe and North America only.[9]
German
Italian
Japanese
Japan only. No other languages are included.[9]
Polish
Brazilian Portuguese
Central and South America only.[9]
Russian
Spanish
Europe, North, Central and South America only.[9]

VR support

3D modes State Notes
Nvidia 3D Vision
See Helix Mod: Fallout 4.

Issues unresolved

Crash to desktop during Hunter/Hunted

This issue blocks the continuation of a quest-chain.
Approaching the quest objective will result in a crash to desktop without any errors. As of current, if you wish to progress the quest-line, you will have to teleport into the related building and then teleport to an area that does not crash the game.
Teleport into building of interest to progress[10][11]
  1. Open the console and enter player.moveto 00064dfc.
  2. Walk around until character of interest spawns. Deal with the situation accordingly.
  3. When you're done with your business inside the building, open the console and enter coc sanctuaryExt.

Notes

You may walk freely within the building, but exiting it will crash the game.

Entering Cambridge Police Station makes the player fall through the ground

This issue may block the continuation of a quest-chain.[11][12]
You may speak to characters inside the building if you enable noclip: open the console and enter tcl.
To exit the building afterwards, as the doors did not spawn in, you must teleport to another location, i.e. coc sanctuaryExt.

Issues fixed

Pixelated aura around characters and objects

Modify Fallout4Prefs.ini[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open Fallout4Prefs.ini.
  3. Find the following parameters, and set them as the following:
bVolumetricLightingEnable=0
iVolumetricLightingQuality=0

Notes

This setting disables the volumetric lighting, along with the god ray effect.

Graphical issues while raining

Instructions[citation needed]
  1. Open the Fallout 4 launcher, then under Options, select Advanced.
  2. Check the Screen Space Reflections checkbox as well as the Wetness checkbox.

Notes

Unchecking Screen Space Reflections while Wetness is checked, Could result to this problem, whilst raining.

Broken shadows while playing

Dark layer example.
Dark layer example.
Ultra-widescreen and 4K Ultra HD resolutions are affected by this bug.[13][14]
Instructions[15][16]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open Fallout4Prefs.ini.
  3. Find the following line, and set it to this value.
bComputeShaderDeferredTiledLighting=0

Console not opening when pressing the tilde key

Instructions[citation needed]
  1. Press Win+R and type control input.dll then select OK.
  2. Click on the Add a language button, then find the English language and Double Click on it.
  3. Select English (United States), then push the Add button located on the bottom right side.
  4. Press Alt+ Shift to switch to the English keyboard layout.
  5. Launch the game and push ~.

Alternatively, Spanish/Latin American keyboards can open the console using Ñ instead, without changing any settings.

No in-game audio

Set audio playback to 16bit 48000 Hz[17]
  1. Navigate to audio playback devices (right-click on speaker icon)
  2. Highlight speakers (will probably be one with a green tick)
  3. Click "properties" and select advanced tab
  4. Change the "default format" to 16bit 48000 Hz (DVD Quality)

Major screen tearing when Windows Aero is disabled while in a borderless mode

This is due to Aero's double buffering.
Switch Theme to Windows Aero[18]
  1. Right-click on the desktop.
  2. Press Personalize.
  3. Choose a Windows Aero theme.
  4. Press Window Color.
  5. Save changes.

Permanent slow-motion while playing

Erase configuration files[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Delete the configuration files.

Frame rate locked to 48 FPS

Disable vertical sync[citation needed]
See Vertical sync (Vsync).

Mouse cursor not visible in menus

Instructions[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open Fallout4Prefs.ini.
  3. Find the following line, and set it to this value.
bGamepadEnable=0

Slow Loading Screen

GPU load at the loading screen will be higher.
Use Load Accelerator Mod[citation needed]
  1. Download Load Accelerator and follow instructions to install.

Network

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)[19]
TCP 27000
UDP 28000
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.
These ports are used to communicate with the Pip-Boy app.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 11
Shader Model support 5.0
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Physics Havok,[20] NVIDIA FLEX[21] NVIDIA FLEX used for optional weapon debris and is exclusive to NVIDIA GPUs.
Interface Scaleform
Cutscenes Bink Video 1.992e

System requirements

A 64-bit system is required.
Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 7
Processor (CPU) Intel Core i5-2300 2.8 GHz
AMD Phenom II X4 945 3.0 GHz
System memory (RAM) 8 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 30 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce GTX 550 Ti
AMD Radeon HD 7870
2 GB of VRAM

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/377160/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (377160) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References

  1. Fallout 4 - Game Engine Speed Tied to Framerate - YouTube
  2. PSA: Fallout 4 physical disk only has 5GB of data, requires 19GB download : pcgaming
  3. Fallout 4 Free Updates – High Resolution Texture Pack & PS4 Pro Support
  4. 4.0 4.1 AFK Mods - [Fallout 4] - Knowledge Base - Useful INI Settings - last accessed on 2017-11-17
  5. BethINI at Fallout 4 Nexus - Mods and community - last accessed on 2017-11-17
  6. 6.0 6.1 Verified by User:JPulowski on 2017-11-17
  7. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PostFX
  8. http://www.subeimagenes.com/img/screenshot061-1594937.jpg
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Bethesda Softworks Releases Blog Post on Localisation, Specs, and Release Date of Fallout 4
  10. Fallout 4 Hunter/Hunted CRASH FIX
  11. 11.0 11.1 Verified by User:Tmplt on 2015-11-16
  12. Cambridge police station glitch :: Fallout 4 General Discussions
  13. View topic - Fallout 4 | WSGF
  14. No 21:9 resolution? :: Fallout 4 General Discussions
  15. View topic - Fallout 4 | WSGF
  16. Fallout 4 Widescreen lighting problem
  17. https://www.reddit.com/r/fo4/comments/3s4xxy/no_audio_on_fallout_4_anyone_else_with_the_same/cwu3rds
  18. Borderless Window Mode Screen Tear Fix : fo4
  19. AllIntensivePorpoise comments on Pipboy App Connection - No Devices Found
  20. Havok's Blog Post: Congratulates all of the Award-Nominated Developers at E3 2015; Many Top Titles Utilizing Havok Tech, Congratulations to Fallout 4 and Many Others
  21. Fallout 4 beta patch adds Nvidia FLEX based particle debris effects | PhysXInfo.com