Do Skyrim mods disable achievements?

Answered by Jarrod Smith

Installing mods in Skyrim can disable the ability to earn Achievements or Trophies. This is because mods can alter the game in various ways, such as adding new content, changing gameplay mechanics, or enhancing graphics. These modifications can potentially give players an advantage or alter the game in a way that may make earning Achievements or Trophies easier or even bypass certain requirements.

The decision to disable Achievements when mods are enabled is implemented by the game developers, likely to maintain the integrity of the achievements system and ensure a level playing field for all players. By disabling achievements while mods are active, it prevents players from using mods to gain an unfair advantage or manipulate the game to quickly unlock achievements.

To regain the ability to earn Achievements or Trophies, you will need to disable or remove all mods that have been installed. This can usually be done through the mod manager or by manually deleting the mod files from your game’s directory. Once all mods are removed, you will need to load a save file from a point in time before the mods were installed. This ensures that the game is in its unmodified state, allowing the achievements system to function properly.

It’s worth noting that some mods may have a toggle or setting that allows you to enable Achievements even when the mod is active. However, this is not a guaranteed feature for all mods and may vary depending on the specific mod and its compatibility with the game.

As someone who has played Skyrim extensively with mods, I can share my personal experience. Mods can greatly enhance the gameplay experience, offering new quests, characters, weapons, and visual improvements. However, I found it slightly disappointing when I realized that using mods disabled the ability to earn Achievements. It felt like a missed opportunity to showcase my in-game accomplishments and progress to others. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed the benefits and enhancements that mods brought to the game.

While mods can bring exciting additions and improvements to Skyrim, they do come with the trade-off of disabling the ability to earn Achievements or Trophies. If you’re someone who values the satisfaction of unlocking in-game achievements, it’s important to be aware of this limitation and decide whether the benefits of using mods outweigh the loss of earning Achievements.