Has this occurred that you have recently installed mod organizer and LOOT to start installing mods but, after launching Skyrim, it says LOOT can’t detect the game? It is annoying, I know, cause I have encountered the same result.
It is a regular issue to the Skyrim and Skyrim special edition (remastered) players that whenever launching the game, LOOT doesn’t crash but, instead of detecting the game, it kept on searching till the error message, oh no, something went wrong! You can check your LOOTdebuglog.txt appears.
Well, no need to panic if you are stuck with this issue. I have shortlisted the easiest ye
t practical methods to oppose the problem. Before working on the solutions, you need to know,
Why does LOOT fail to detect Skyrim & Skyrim SE?
So, what is the reason behind your issue? Keep reading the article to solve the problem disregarding whatever the ground is.
Why is not LOOT Detecting Skyrim?
Finding out the reason behind the problem is halfway solving the matter. But the issue is you can’t pinpoint the exact cause for the tech related topics. All you can do is, analyze every reason and eliminate them one by one till you find a match with your precise syndrome.
Before getting to the point, you need to know what LOOT actually is. LOOT stands for load order optimization tool, and it is a plugin detector for games like Skyrim / Skyrim SE. This tool is used for optimizing a games’ load command.
LOOT maximizes gamers’ experience by delivering load error correction, bug reports, and usage commentaries of the plugin.
There are multiple reasons for LOOT not detecting your game. These inaccuracy reports are based on my own experience, along with gamers from different regions.
Here are the reasons behind LOOT failing to detect Skyrim:
- If you did not launch Skyrim / Skyrim SE via the Steam application, this issue could occur.
- When you fail to run LOOt from Mod organizer 2, the error message might appear on the display.
- If the LOOT file fails to find the game directory where you have saved the installed files, not detecting issues can also happen then.
Don’t worry you encounter any of these situations. Getting rid of the problem is a lot easier than you believe.
In the following section, I will be sharing the most elegant methods of solving the error. Stick with me if you want to solve the LOOT issue on your own.
Also, check out our separate post on how to fix Valorant freezing and crashing.
How to Fix LOOT is not Finding Skyrim & Skyrim SE?
Now that you have a proper understanding of what is blocking LOOT from detecting your Skyrim game, it is time to perform the workarounds.
Before commencing any further, I would suggest you exit the steam application. Turn off your computer, and turn it on after waiting a while. Clear the unnecessary applications from the task manager, then start the fixing procedure.
The methods I am going to share, implement them in an orderly. You never know which solution will help you with the LOOT detecting game files issue.
Here are the methods you should follow when LOOT is not detecting Skyrim:
Method 1. Run Skyrim Through Steam
When you don’t run the game through the Steam application, the game fails the authentication process. The Skyrim server tends to block third-party authentication, and they want to make sure you are not using any cracks or modded versions.
Running through Steam helps you in two or more ways. First, it makes sure you are not authorizing any harmful application to gain admin access, and obviously, Steam gets you connected with the gaming community.
So, to avoid the LOOT detecting issue, do run the game using the Steam application.
Method 2. Verify the Game Files
If the important files/ folders of the game are missing, LOOT will not be able to detect game files impulsively. You need to make sure the game files are intact and none of them are missing from the directory.
To ensure that, you can utilize steam to check the file integrity of Skyrim.
Here are the steps to verify game files via Steam:
- Launch the steam application from your computer.
- Select Library from the application.
- Right click on the desired game, Skyrim in this case, and select Properties.
- Move to the Local files tab, then select verify the integrity of game files.
- Wait till the verification process ends, and exit steam.
If there are files missing from the game, steam will download them for you. Restart your computer after completing the download process. Check if the issue still persists.
Method 3. Run LOOT and Skyrim as an Administrator
If LOOT can’t access the game folder, then you are likely to face the not detecting issue. To eliminate that, you must run the game as an administrator.
When you launch an application as an admin, you allow access to enter every file of that application. Running Skyrim as an admin will definitely solve the detecting error problem.
Here are the steps to run a program as an administrator:
- Navigate to the folder where you have installed Skyrim.
- Right click on the game application; you can recognize it by noticing .exe on the file name.
- Select properties from the list.
- Go to the Compatibility tab and tick on run this file as an administrator
- Select Apply then ok to save the changes.
Run both LOOT and Skyrim with this process, and see how amazingly it solves your problem.
Launch the game and check if the issue has been resolved or not. By far, this is the most efficient solution you can try on. Read the details again, and follow the instruction to get rid of the headache.
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Method 4. Change Skyrim Destination Folder
After implementing all of those fixes, you can apply this simple trick if you still find the issue has not been resolved (which seems highly unlikely).
Change the location folder of Skyrim to get it recognizable by LOOT. And you will face no further issues.
Here are the steps to switch Skyrim game location:
- Launch the file explorer from your computer.
- Navigate to this folder: C: User> Your username > App data> Local > LOOT.
- Find out Settings .yaml and open the file with notepad.
- Find out type: Skyrim among the commands, and edit the path:… to the location where Skyrim is installed.
- Save the edits on the notepad without touching any other lines except I outlined.
Relaunch the Skyrim game and check if the method has worked for you. This is a bit complicated solution but implementing it correctly will bring out the positive result, that I can assure you.
Restart your computer whenever you try a solution. I believe all of the discussed methods are going to help you if LOOT can’t detect your game.
Conclusion
If the LOOT can’t detect Skyrim error appearing on your computer screen, these are the most efficient and proven methods you can rely on.
The last thing I would like to include is throughout this article; I have delivered the reasons for getting the LOOT error and, most importantly, how you can overcome the situation leveraging the skills you already have.
If you have read the article and are willing to follow the instructions I have provided here, you shall face no difficulties eradicating the issue.
Then again, if you encounter any challenges regarding this matter, feel free to comment below. It will be my pleasure to help you.
