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If Starfield started crashing, failing to load a save, or hanging in the Creations menu after you installed or updated a Creation, first disable that Creation and restart the game. If the menu itself will not open, use the platform-specific reset Bethesda documents—but protect your save data and copy the PC catalog file before deleting it. Mods are a plausible cause, not the only one: damaged game files, drivers, overlays, storage, account connectivity, and long-played saves can produce similar symptoms.
Identify the failure before deleting anything
The safest recovery depends on both the symptom and your platform. A normal crash, a crash while loading a save, and an infinite Creations-menu load do not have identical fixes.
| What you see | Most useful first move | Escalation if it continues |
|---|---|---|
| Starfield crashes after adding or updating one Creation | Disable that Creation, then relaunch | Disable or remove all installed Creations and test a clean launch |
| The game crashes while loading a save | Fully restart the game and the PC or console; try another save | Check Creations, installation files, drivers, storage, and possible save corruption |
| Creations menu spins indefinitely | Wait a few minutes and check connectivity | Use the PC catalog-file, Xbox Reserved Space, or PlayStation reinstall procedure |
| Creations will not download or the account cannot connect | Check service status, account linkage, verification, and network | Download required Creations one at a time |
Bethesda explicitly warns that “Creations can cause in-game issues, in some cases.” That statement does not establish that every crash is mod-related; use the timing of the problem to decide where to start.
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Protect saves and record your load order
Do not begin by deleting local saves or clearing every piece of game data. Bethesda says corrupted saves cannot be repaired. On Xbox, confirm that your current saves have synchronized before removing local data; reconnecting the console allows cloud saves to sync back when available.
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- On Xbox, open the game only after cloud synchronization has completed. Do not confuse deleting Reserved Space with deleting saves: Reserved Space removes downloaded Creations, not your saved games, but those Creations must be downloaded again.
- On PC, if the Creations menu is stuck, make a copy of
C:Users%username%AppDataLocalStarfieldContentCatalog.txtbefore deleting it. Bethesda recommends retaining that copy as a record of the Creations associated with an infinite menu load. - Write down the Creation you installed or updated immediately before the fault, its version if the menu shows one, and which save first exhibited the problem. This makes a one-at-a-time rollback possible.
Run the least-destructive fixes first
1. Fully quit and restart Starfield
Close Starfield instead of leaving it suspended. On Xbox, quit it from the guide, then launch it again. Bethesda’s save-loading guidance also recommends restarting and power-cycling the PC or console. A full restart clears a stalled session and is the correct first test before changing files.
2. Disable the Creation most closely tied to the problem
If the trouble began after a particular download or update, disable that Creation first and test the same action again. For frequent crashes, disable or remove installed Creations in batches only after testing the obvious suspect; changing everything at once makes the cause harder to identify. Bethesda’s PC crash guidance is available at What can I do if Starfield is crashing on PC?.
3. Test with a clean Creation set
If disabling one item does not help, disable or remove all installed Creations and launch Starfield. If the game now starts or loads the save, restore Creations one at a time, launching between additions. The first reintroduced item that recreates the fault is the leading suspect. If the game still fails with no Creations active, continue with the installation, driver, storage, and save checks below rather than assuming the mod system is responsible.
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What to do when the Creations menu is stuck loading
A spinning or blank Creations menu can be a connection problem, a bad newly downloaded Creation, or a local catalog problem. Bethesda’s dedicated procedure is different from its ordinary crash procedure.
Check the connection before resetting local data
Wait several minutes in case the menu is waiting on a service response. Then verify your network and try again. If the problem began immediately after downloading a Creation, attempt to disable that new item once the menu becomes available.
PC: back up and remove ContentCatalog.txt
- Exit Starfield completely.
- Open
C:Users%username%AppDataLocalStarfield. - Copy
ContentCatalog.txtto another folder. Keep this copy so you can identify the Creations associated with the infinite load. - Delete the original
ContentCatalog.txt. - Launch Starfield and test the Creations menu again.
This procedure resets the local catalog used by the menu; it is not a replacement for disabling a known conflicting Creation. If the menu works afterward, use your saved catalog record and installation timing to rebuild the list carefully.
Xbox: clear Starfield Reserved Space
- From the Xbox dashboard, highlight Starfield and open Manage game and add-ons.
- Open Saved data.
- Select Starfield’s Reserved Space and clear it.
- Start the game and download the required Creations again.
Clearing Reserved Space removes downloaded Creations, so expect to redownload them. Confirm cloud-save synchronization before removing local data, and do not treat this operation as a way to repair a corrupted save.
PlayStation: reinstall Starfield
For the specific infinite Creations-menu problem, Bethesda directs PlayStation users to uninstall and reinstall Starfield. Reinstallation is substantially less reversible than disabling one Creation, so use it after checking connectivity and protecting saves.
See Bethesda’s platform procedure in What should I do if I am stuck loading in the Creations menu?.
Fix crashes while loading a save
First restart Starfield and power-cycle the PC or console. Then try a different recent save if one is available. If every save fails after a Creation change, disable the suspected item or all Creations and retest. Bethesda notes that a save played for a long time can also be involved in a PC save-loading crash issue; that notice is time-sensitive, so check the current wording on Bethesda’s support page rather than assuming the same issue still applies.
Bethesda states that corrupted saves cannot be repaired. If one save fails while newer or older saves load, stop overwriting the working copies and preserve the failing file for support diagnostics. On Xbox, allow cloud saves to synchronize before deleting local copies. The Xbox-specific guidance is in What do I do if Starfield crashes when loading a save on Xbox? and the general save-loading article is Why does Starfield crash when loading save files?.
PC checks when disabling Creations does not solve the crash
Once a clean Creation set does not change the result, treat the problem as a general PC stability issue. Bethesda’s PC crash guidance recommends the following checks.
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Verify or repair the game files
Use the repair or verify-files command in the launcher where you installed Starfield. This replaces missing or damaged installation files without changing the diagnosis of a Creation conflict. If verification reports errors, let it finish before launching again.
Confirm the correct graphics processor and driver
On systems with integrated and dedicated graphics, ensure Starfield is assigned to the intended GPU. Update the graphics driver, and if a normal update does not help, Bethesda’s advanced procedure includes a clean driver installation. A driver crash can look like a mod crash, especially when the failure occurs during a location load or after changing graphics-heavy settings.
Disable overlays and reduce graphics settings for testing
Temporarily turn off overlays and background hooks from launchers, recording tools, or chat applications. Reduce graphics settings to test whether the crash is performance-related. Restore settings gradually after the game remains stable; do not use lower settings as proof that a Creation was defective.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsCheck antivirus permissions
Verify that your security software is not blocking Starfield, its launcher, or files the game needs to read and write. Add an appropriate permission or exclusion only according to your security software’s controls and your own risk tolerance.
Install the game on an SSD
Bethesda says Starfield should be installed on an SSD rather than an HDD. This is a PC system requirement and may reduce loading and storage-related failures; it does not repair a conflicting Creation. Move or reinstall the game only after confirming you have enough SSD capacity and a current save backup.
Separate a Creations problem from an account or service problem
If the menu reports that it cannot connect to Bethesda.net, or required Creations fail to download while restoring a save’s load order, do not keep deleting local files. Check the platform and Bethesda service status, confirm that the Bethesda.net account is linked and verified, and test the network connection.
When a load order requires several Creations, Bethesda recommends downloading them one at a time. This identifies a failed item and avoids turning a transient service error into a complete reset. Follow the account and connection checks in “Couldn’t connect to the Bethesda.net servers” – Error Message – Starfield.
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A repeatable test gives you better evidence than repeatedly deleting and reinstalling content. Start with a complete quit and restart, then record exactly what happens with the same save or menu action. If the fault began after one Creation was added or updated, disable only that item and repeat the test. If the fault remains, disable the rest of the installed Creations and repeat it again.
There are three useful outcomes. If the clean set works, the problem is associated with one or more Creations, so restore them individually and launch between additions. If the clean set still crashes but another save opens, treat the failing save as a possible save-specific problem and preserve it rather than overwriting working saves. If neither saves nor the main menu work with Creations disabled, move to file repair, driver, overlay, antivirus, and storage checks.
Do not change several variables during one test. Updating the driver, reinstalling the game, and adding a new Creation at the same time may make the game launch, but it will not tell you which change mattered. Keep a short log of the Creation state, save used, platform, and result after each step.
Understand what each reset removes
The platform procedures are not interchangeable. Disabling one Creation is the most reversible action and preserves the rest of your downloaded content. Disabling or removing all Creations is a broader diagnostic test, but rebuilding the set takes time. Deleting ContentCatalog.txt on PC resets the local menu catalog, which is why Bethesda advises copying it first. Clearing Xbox Reserved Space deletes downloaded Creations and requires redownloading them; it is not a save repair. Reinstalling on PlayStation replaces the game installation and is the broadest response to the specific stuck-menu symptom.
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Advanced PC recovery after the basic checks
Use these steps only if restarting, isolating Creations, repairing files, checking drivers, and testing overlays do not resolve the issue. They can affect the launcher or Windows environment beyond Starfield.
- Reset or reinstall the launcher used to start Starfield.
- Try launching from a new Windows user profile to rule out damaged per-user settings or permissions.
- Perform a clean installation of the graphics driver.
- When using the Steam version, close the Xbox app while testing; when using the Xbox app, close Steam. Bethesda lists this launcher-isolation step because the two clients can interfere with troubleshooting.
Document which step changes the behavior and whether the failure occurs before the main menu, while opening Creations, or only with one save. Bethesda’s full sequence is in Advanced Troubleshooting – Crashing/Freezing on PC – Starfield.
A practical platform-and-risk decision guide
| Action | Platform | What it changes | Reversibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disable one Creation | PC, Xbox, PlayStation | Stops one suspected add-on from loading | High; re-enable it later |
| Disable or remove all Creations | PC, Xbox, PlayStation | Tests Starfield without downloaded add-ons | High to medium; the set may need rebuilding |
Delete ContentCatalog.txt after making a copy |
PC | Resets the local Creations catalog | Medium; keep the backup record |
| Clear Reserved Space | Xbox | Deletes downloaded Creations | Medium; redownload required |
| Uninstall and reinstall | PlayStation for this menu issue; PC as an advanced measure | Replaces the installation | Low; protect saves and expect downloads |
How to prevent the next mod-related failure
- Add or update one Creation at a time, then launch and load a test save before making another change.
- Keep a written load order and note the date of each update. On PC, retain the catalog copy if a menu reset becomes necessary.
- Keep at least one known-good save from before a major Creation change. Do not overwrite every backup with a save made after a crash starts.
- When a new Creation causes trouble, disable it first rather than clearing all downloaded content. Broader resets are for cases where the menu itself cannot be used.
- Keep Starfield, the platform software, graphics drivers, and the launcher current, while remembering that an update can change compatibility with an existing Creation.
When to contact Bethesda Support
Contact support after you have recorded your platform, launcher, Creation changes, exact symptom, affected save, and the steps already attempted. Include whether the game works with all Creations disabled, whether another save loads, and whether the failure happens offline or only when opening the Creations menu. This information distinguishes a single conflicting add-on from a damaged installation, account connection issue, or save-specific failure.
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What can I do if Starfield is crashing on PC?
Fully quit and restart Starfield, then disable the Creation most closely tied to when the crashes began. If that does not help, disable all installed Creations and test again. With a clean Creation set, verify or repair the game files, confirm Starfield is using the intended GPU, update or clean-install the graphics driver, disable overlays, check antivirus permissions, and confirm the game is installed on an SSD rather than an HDD. Bethesda also lists launcher reset, a new Windows user profile, and closing the Xbox app or Steam counterpart as advanced steps.
What should I do if I am stuck loading in the Creations menu?
Wait several minutes and check your network and Bethesda service status first. If the menu remains stuck, PC users should copy C:Users%username%AppDataLocalStarfieldContentCatalog.txt and then delete the original. Xbox users can clear Starfield Reserved Space under Manage game and add-ons > Saved data, knowing that downloaded Creations will be removed and must be downloaded again. Bethesda directs PlayStation users to uninstall and reinstall Starfield for this specific menu problem.
Will clearing Xbox Reserved Space delete my saves?
Bethesda distinguishes Reserved Space from saved games. Clearing it removes downloaded Creations, not your saves, but you should still verify that saves have synchronized before removing local data. Afterward, the Creations required by your load order must be downloaded again.
Should I delete ContentCatalog.txt without making a copy?
No. Bethesda specifically advises copying the file first so you retain a record of the Creations associated with an infinite menu load. Delete the original only after Starfield is fully closed and the copy is stored somewhere else.
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How can I tell whether a Creation or a save is causing the crash?
Disable the Creation added or updated immediately before the problem and repeat the same test. If necessary, disable every Creation. If a clean Creation set loads another save but not one particular file, the failure may be save-specific; preserve the working saves because Bethesda says corrupted saves cannot be repaired.
What if Starfield still crashes with every Creation disabled?
Do not keep deleting Creations. Check game-file integrity, graphics drivers and GPU selection, overlays, graphics settings, antivirus permissions, SSD installation, and launcher or Windows-profile issues. A crash that persists without Creations is not evidence of a mod conflict.
Why can’t I connect to Bethesda.net or download a required Creation?
Check Bethesda and platform service status, your network, and that the Bethesda.net account is linked and verified. When restoring a load order with several required Creations, download them one at a time. This helps identify a failed item and separates an account or service problem from a local catalog problem.
Can Bethesda repair a corrupted Starfield save?
Bethesda says corrupted saves cannot be repaired. Try a different save after restarting and disabling suspected Creations, and protect any working saves from being overwritten. On Xbox, confirm cloud synchronization before deleting local copies.
Do I need to buy an SSD to fix a mod conflict?
No purchase is presented as a mod fix. Bethesda says Starfield should be installed on an SSD rather than an HDD for PC users, so storage can contribute to loading or performance problems. Move or reinstall the game only after checking capacity and protecting your saves; an SSD does not resolve a conflicting Creation by itself.
The Bottom Line
Start with the reversible step: fully restart Starfield and disable the Creation linked to the failure. If the problem remains, test with all Creations disabled, protect your saves, and then follow the PC, Xbox, or PlayStation procedure that matches the exact symptom. Reserve catalog deletion, Reserved Space clearing, and reinstallation for the cases that justify their broader impact.
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