If Starfield began crashing, refusing to load a save, or freezing in the Creations menu after you installed or updated a Creation, first disable the Creation most closely connected to the change. If you cannot reach the menu, use the recovery procedure for your platform. Back up or verify cloud saves before deleting local data, and remember that Bethesda also lists damaged game files, drivers, overlays, storage, network access, account problems, and long-played saves as possible causes. A mod is a reasonable suspect, not proof that every crash is mod-related.
Identify the failure before changing anything
The safest fix depends on where Starfield fails. A game that crashes after loading into a location needs a different response from a Creations menu that never finishes loading.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Symptom | Best first move | What may be affected by later recovery steps |
|---|---|---|
| Starfield crashes during play or shortly after launch | Restart fully, then disable the Creation installed or updated immediately before the problem. | Disabling one Creation is reversible; removing every Creation takes more work to restore. |
| A save crashes while loading | Restart the game and the device, then test with the suspect Creation disabled. Check that your saves have synced before deleting any local data. | Bethesda says corrupted saves cannot be repaired. Local-save deletion can remove the only unsynced copy. |
| The Creations menu spins or never opens | Wait briefly for a connection problem, then follow the PC, Xbox, or PlayStation recovery path below. | PC recovery deletes a catalog record; Xbox Reserved Space deletion removes downloaded Creations; PlayStation recovery requires reinstalling the game. |
| Creations will not connect or required items will not download | Check Bethesda and platform service status, account verification, and your network before treating it as a local mod conflict. | Downloading items one at a time can identify a failed Creation without discarding the entire load order. |
Bethesda explicitly warns that “Creations can cause in-game issues, in some cases,” but its troubleshooting guidance also covers non-mod causes. See Bethesda’s PC crash guidance for the full list.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsProtect saves and record your Creations first
- Close Starfield completely. On Xbox, quit it from the guide instead of leaving it suspended. On PC, exit to the desktop and close the launcher if it remains active.
- Confirm synchronization before deleting local data. On Xbox, allow the console to reconnect and finish cloud synchronization. Do not delete local saves while a newer save may still be waiting to upload. Bethesda’s Xbox guidance explains how to let cloud saves sync again: save-loading support.
- Write down the recent change. Note the Creation you installed, updated, or enabled immediately before the fault, plus any required dependencies and the save that first showed the problem. This makes a one-item test possible instead of guessing.
- Keep a copy of the PC catalog before resetting it. If the Creations menu is stuck on PC, copy
C:Users%username%AppDataLocalStarfieldContentCatalog.txtsomewhere safe before deleting the original. The file can preserve a record of associated Creations that helps identify what must be restored.
Downloaded Creations and save files are different kinds of data. Clearing downloaded Creations does not repair a corrupted save, and removing a save does not remove a broken Creation from the installation.
#1 Best Overall
- 【7450MB/s・Amazing Speed】Maximum read speed of 7450MB/s and maximum write speed of 6500MB/s (random read/ write speed of up to 1000K IOPS) realises the workflow of high-performance desktop PCs and notebook PCs. Ideal for power users who are looking for market-leading speeds.
- 【PCIe Gen4×4 for Superior Performance】Biwin NV7400 M.2 SSD utilizes the latest PCIe Gen 4x4 and 3D TLC NAND, choosing high-quality premium NAND flash chosen through our automated selection. Capacities of up to 4 TB are available, providing ample storage space and eliminating the anxiety of insufficient storage.
- 【PMIC Power Management & Graphite Heat Sink】NV7400 M.2 SSD adopts a composite power supply IC (PMIC), which improves power saving and energy saving performance by increasing the efficiency of power distribution, and effectively extends the durability of the SSD. Moreover, it is equipped with a 0.5mm graphene aluminium heat sink to prevent overheating with excellent heat dissipation performance and maintain stable top performance.
- 【Enhanced System Stability】The NV7400 delivers stable performance for demanding applications. Enhanced by Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology, it ensures stable operation even under heavy workloads. The integration of Smart Cache optimizes data retrieval, while Zip data compression maximizes storage efficiency.
- 【Free Biwin Intelligence Software】Biwin Intelligence is multifunctional management software, designed to support Biwin consumer-brand storage products. For a more convenient and more secure storage experience, this software helps users manage their drives with features like performance test, data migration, firmware update, and more.
What can I do if Starfield is crashing on PC?
1. Restart and test the most likely Creation
Restart Starfield, then disable the Creation that was installed or updated immediately before the crash. If the game stays open long enough, disable that item in the Creations menu and try the same action or save again. Bethesda recommends disabling or removing installed Creations when crashes are frequent; this is the least destructive test because you can re-enable the item later. If one item is inconclusive, disable all installed Creations temporarily and test a clean launch. Re-enable them in small groups only after the game is stable.
Use a repeatable test: load the same save, visit the same area, or perform the same menu action that caused the failure. A single successful launch after a restart is not enough evidence, because intermittent crashes can disappear temporarily. Test several times before restoring another group.
2. Verify or repair the PC game files
Use the file-verification or repair function in the launcher or store that installed Starfield. The exact button label varies by launcher, but the goal is to replace missing or damaged base-game files without touching your save backup. A successful verification does not prove that a Creation is safe; it only rules out a common installation problem.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
3. Check the active graphics device and drivers
Install the current driver for your graphics hardware, make sure Starfield is using the intended dedicated GPU rather than an integrated adapter, and restart Windows after a driver change. Bethesda includes graphics-driver and GPU selection checks in its crash guidance. If a driver update coincided with the problem, testing the previous known-stable driver can help distinguish a driver regression from a mod conflict, but use the manufacturer’s supported rollback process.
4. Remove overlays and reduce load while testing
Temporarily turn off overlays and background capture features from gaming, chat, or hardware utilities. Lower graphics settings if the crash appears during heavy rendering rather than at the menu. These changes are diagnostic: if they stop the crash, restore features one at a time to find the conflict instead of assuming the Creation itself is defective.
5. Check antivirus permissions
Review your security software’s quarantine and blocked-app history. Bethesda advises checking antivirus permissions because a security tool can prevent Starfield or its launcher from reading required files. Use an explicit allow rule only for the legitimate game and launcher locations, and do not disable protection permanently.
6. Confirm the installation is on an SSD
Bethesda says Starfield should be installed on an SSD rather than an HDD. This is a PC system requirement and can affect loading and performance; moving the installation to an SSD is not a direct fix for a conflicting Creation. If the game is already on an SSD, continue with the other checks instead of treating storage as the explanation.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →7. Consider causes unrelated to Creations
A crash that began without a mod change may be caused by the installation, graphics stack, overlays, permissions, or a particular save. Bethesda’s PC article has also noted a save-loading issue for saves played for a long time. Because that notice can change, check the current article before treating it as an active, universal problem: Bethesda Support: What can I do if Starfield is crashing on PC?
What should I do if I am stuck loading in the Creations menu?
A menu that spins indefinitely has its own Bethesda recovery procedure. First wait a few minutes in case the service is slow, then try the newly downloaded Creation as the likely trigger. If the menu still cannot open, use only the instructions for your platform. Do not repeatedly power off during a download or immediately delete saves; those actions can make it harder to tell whether the issue is a service outage, a catalog problem, or a bad Creation.
PC: preserve and rebuild the Creations catalog
- Exit Starfield.
- Open
C:Users%username%AppDataLocalStarfield. - Copy
ContentCatalog.txtto another folder as a record of the Creations associated with the account. - Delete the original
ContentCatalog.txt. - Start Starfield and allow the Creations list to rebuild. You may need to sign in again or redownload items that are no longer recognized.
Bethesda documents this catalog reset, including the instruction to save a copy first, in its stuck-Creations-menu article. Deleting this catalog file is not the same as deleting a save. If the menu opens afterward, compare the rebuilt list with your copied record and add items gradually rather than importing everything at once.
Rank #2
- Efficient Performance: M.2 SSD 1TB adopts PCIe Gen4 x4 technology and is compatible with NVMe1.4 protocol, With speeds reaching 4800MB/s, the PCIE 4.0 1TB NVMe SSD is perfectly compatible with the PS5, ensuring swift game launches for an immersive gaming experience
- Ample Storage Expansion: The S690Q M.2 SSD offers storage capacities ranging from 500GB to 4TB, eliminating concerns about game storage. Effortlessly expand your gaming storage and indulge in a plethora of gaming delights
- Fast Heat Dissipation: The heat dissipation sticker ensures NVMe 1TB SSD operates at low temperatures during prolonged and intensive usage, providing a reliable memory expansion for your PS5
- Wide Compatibility: The Internal SSD 1TB not only provides optimal storage expansion for PS5, but also can be used on various platforms including desktops and laptops. Excellent compatibility provides a versatile solution, providing strong support for various scenarios, ensuring work efficiency and gaming experience
- 5-Year Service: Our 1TB NVMe SSD come with a 5 years after-sales service and lifetime technical support. If you have any questions, please contact us and we will sincerely and professionally solve the problem for you
Xbox: clear Starfield Reserved Space
- Open My games & apps and highlight Starfield.
- Press the Menu button, choose Manage game and add-ons, then open Saved data.
- Select Starfield’s Reserved space and clear it.
- Launch Starfield and download the Creations you need again.
Clearing Reserved Space removes downloaded Creations; it does not delete your ordinary saved games. You must redownload the Creations afterward, so verify that your saves have synchronized before performing this reset. Bethesda’s platform-specific steps are in the Creations-menu support article. Because this is broader than disabling one item, use it only after restarting and trying the newly added Creation.
PlayStation: reinstall Starfield
Bethesda’s documented recovery for a PlayStation Creations-menu loading problem is to uninstall and reinstall Starfield. Allow the installation and updates to complete, sign in, and redownload required Creations. Confirm that your saves are available through the platform’s normal synchronization or backup system before uninstalling. Reinstallation is the least reversible platform option, so record the Creations you use and check service status first.
Compare the recovery choices before you act
| Action | Platform | Scope | Reversibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disable one Creation | Any platform that can open Creations | Tests one suspected cause | High; re-enable it later |
| Disable all Creations | PC, Xbox, PlayStation | Separates a mod issue from base-game or system causes | Moderate; restore in groups |
Delete ContentCatalog.txt |
PC | Rebuilds the local Creations catalog | Moderate; preserve a copy first |
| Clear Reserved Space | Xbox | Removes all downloaded Creations | Moderate; redownload required |
| Uninstall and reinstall | PlayStation | Replaces the game installation and requires updates | Lowest; verify saves and account access first |
The choice should match both the symptom and the data at risk. A one-item disable is preferable when the menu works. A catalog or Reserved Space reset is aimed at a menu that cannot load. None of these procedures repairs a save that Bethesda identifies as corrupted.
Separate a service or account problem from a broken Creation
If the menu reports that it cannot connect to Bethesda.net, or a save’s required Creations will not download, do not keep changing local files immediately. Check:
- Bethesda service status and the platform’s online-service status.
- That the Bethesda account is correctly linked, verified, and signed in.
- Your network connection, including whether other online features work on the same device.
- Whether a temporary outage clears after a fresh sign-in or a full restart.
Bethesda’s connection-error guidance is available at “Couldn’t connect to the Bethesda.net servers” for Starfield. If the load order calls for several items, download the Creations one at a time. The first item that fails or brings the crash back is a useful isolation point; downloading everything simultaneously hides that information. If one Creation repeatedly fails while others download normally, record its name and stop retrying it until the service and account checks are complete.
When a save crashes while loading
Begin with a complete restart of the game and the PC or console. On a console, power-cycle the device as Bethesda recommends for save-loading problems, then launch Starfield again. Disable the Creation most closely associated with the first failed load and test an earlier save if one exists. If several saves fail after the same mod change, leave that Creation disabled while testing; if only one old save fails, the problem may be save-specific rather than a universal load-order failure.
Bethesda states that corrupted saves cannot be repaired. Do not overwrite every backup with a test result, and do not delete local Xbox saves until synchronization is complete. Its Xbox save-loading instructions are at this support page; its broader save-file crash guidance is at Why does Starfield crash when loading save files?. If an earlier save loads with the suspect Creation disabled, keep the newer save untouched while you test; loading and saving over it can remove your best recovery point.
A cautious order for removing or restoring Creations
Use the smallest change that can answer the question, then move to a broader reset only when necessary:
- Disable the one Creation installed or updated immediately before the fault.
- If the symptom remains, disable all Creations and test the same launch, location, or save.
- If the game works cleanly, re-enable items in small groups, restarting between groups when practical.
- When the Creations menu itself is inaccessible, use the platform reset rather than repeatedly forcing the game to load a damaged catalog.
- After a reset, download required items individually and test before adding another group.
- When the original symptom returns, remove the last group, then test those items one at a time to identify the narrowest trigger.
This sequence preserves the most information and avoids turning a single bad download into an unnecessarily broad reinstall. Keep notes about the order, because a Creation that appears harmless alone can still be involved when restored with another item.
Recommended Free Tools
Advanced PC steps if the basic checks fail
Use these only after testing without Creations, repairing files, and checking drivers, overlays, permissions, and storage. Bethesda’s advanced PC troubleshooting includes:
Rank #3
- THE SSD ALL-STAR: The latest 870 EVO has indisputable performance, reliability and compatibility built upon Samsung's pioneering technology. S.M.A.R.T. Support: Yes
- EXCELLENCE IN PERFORMANCE: Enjoy professional level SSD performance which maximizes the SATA interface limit to 560 530 MB/s sequential speeds,* accelerates write speeds and maintains long term high performance with a larger variable buffer, Designed for gamers and professionals to handle heavy workloads of high-end PCs, workstations and NAS
- INDUSTRY-DEFINING RELIABILITY: Meet the demands of every task — from everyday computing to 8K video processing, with up to 600 TBW** under a 5-year limited warranty***
- MORE COMPATIBLE THAN EVER: The 870 EVO has been compatibility tested**** for major host systems and applications, including chipsets, motherboards, NAS, and video recording devices
- UPGRADE WITH EASE: Using the 870 EVO SSD is as simple as plugging it into the standard 2.5 inch SATA form factor on your desktop PC or laptop; The renewed migration software takes care of the rest
- Resetting or reinstalling the launcher.
- Trying a new Windows user profile to rule out profile-specific permissions or configuration.
- Performing a clean graphics-driver installation.
- Closing the Xbox app when using the Steam version, or closing Steam when using the Xbox app version, so two launch environments are not competing.
The complete escalation sequence is documented in Bethesda’s Advanced Troubleshooting – Crashing/Freezing on PC – Starfield. Keep a written record of which step changed the symptom; otherwise a launcher reset, driver change, and mod removal performed together will not reveal the actual cause. If none of these steps changes the behavior, contact Bethesda Support with your platform, launcher, account status, exact error, affected save, and the Creation sequence you tested.
What not to assume
- Every crash is not automatically a mod crash. Official guidance also points to files, drivers, GPU selection, overlays, antivirus, storage, account access, network services, and saves.
- Clearing Xbox Reserved Space is not deleting saves. It removes downloaded Creations, which must be downloaded again.
- Deleting
ContentCatalog.txtis not a save repair. Copy it first if you may need the installed-Creation list. - An SSD will not resolve a load-order conflict by itself. It addresses Bethesda’s PC storage requirement and possible loading performance problems.
- A successful launch does not prove every Creation is compatible. Re-enable items gradually and stop when the original symptom returns.
- Reinstalling is not automatically better. It takes longer, requires updates and downloads, and should follow save and account checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do if Starfield is crashing on PC?
Fully restart Starfield, disable the Creation installed or updated just before the crash, and test the same save or location. If the crash continues, disable all Creations temporarily, verify or repair game files, check the active GPU and drivers, turn off overlays, review antivirus permissions, and confirm the game is installed on an SSD. Bethesda also lists non-mod causes, including damaged files and save-specific problems.
What should I do if I am stuck loading in the Creations menu?
Wait a few minutes for a possible connection problem, then try the newest Creation as the likely trigger. If the menu remains stuck, PC users should copy and delete ContentCatalog.txt, Xbox users can clear Starfield Reserved Space, and PlayStation users should follow Bethesda’s documented uninstall-and-reinstall procedure.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Will clearing Xbox Reserved Space delete my Starfield saves?
Bethesda says Reserved Space clearing removes downloaded Creations, which you must download again. It is not the same as deleting ordinary saved games. Still, verify that your saves have synchronized before changing local data.
Should I delete ContentCatalog.txt without making a backup?
No. Copy C:Users%username%AppDataLocalStarfieldContentCatalog.txt first. Bethesda recommends preserving the copy so you have a record of the Creations associated with the account before rebuilding the catalog.
Can Bethesda repair a corrupted Starfield save?
Bethesda states that corrupted saves cannot be repaired. Protect earlier saves, avoid overwriting backups during testing, and confirm Xbox cloud synchronization before deleting local copies.
How can I tell whether the problem is Bethesda.net rather than a mod?
Check Bethesda and platform service status, confirm the Bethesda account is linked, verified, and signed in, and test the network connection. If required Creations will not download, try them one at a time after service access is restored.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Does moving Starfield to an SSD fix a mod conflict?
No. Bethesda says the PC game should be installed on an SSD for storage and loading performance. An SSD does not resolve an incompatible Creation or load-order problem by itself.
When should I reinstall Starfield?
Use a reinstall only after less destructive tests fail. For the stuck Creations menu, Bethesda documents reinstalling on PlayStation. On PC or Xbox, first try the platform-specific catalog or Reserved Space reset, protect saves, and check account and service access.
What if disabling one Creation does not stop the crash?
Disable all Creations and repeat a consistent test. If the game becomes stable, restore items in small groups and then one at a time within the group that brings the crash back. If it still crashes with no Creations enabled, investigate files, drivers, overlays, antivirus, storage, and saves instead of assuming a mod is responsible.
The Bottom Line
Start with a full restart and disable the Creation most closely tied to the failure. Protect synchronized saves, then match the recovery to the symptom: repair files and system settings for PC crashes, rebuild the PC catalog, clear Xbox Reserved Space, or reinstall on PlayStation when the Creations menu itself is stuck. Restore downloads one at a time, keep notes, and treat every crash as a diagnosis to test rather than automatic proof of a mod conflict.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
