Skyrim STEP ENB Causing CTD: Troubleshooting Tips

If you're experiencing crashes to desktop (CTDs) while using Skyrim with the STEP ENB mod, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the issue. One common cause of CTDs is the use of incorrect or conflicting DLL files.

D3D9.dll vs D3D11.dll: Ensure You're Using the Right File

SweetFX and Reshade both have their own versions of d3d9.dll, which are not identical in content. Some users mistakenly believe that these files are interchangeable, but they are not. To avoid issues, ensure you're using the correct DLL file for your version of Skyrim. For Oldrim, use d3d9.dll, while SSE requires d3d11.dll.

Check Your File Downloads

To avoid corruption or zero-kb files, double-check that you've downloaded the correct files from the ENBDev webpage. Make sure to download the correct versions for your game and system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).

Disable Other Overlays and Proxy DLLs

In addition to checking your file downloads, try disabling other overlay software such as Steam's in-game overlay to see if it resolves the issue. Some users have reported that nVidia Shadowplay is causing CTDs.

Shader File Conflict: A Rare But Possible Cause

While shader files are not typically a common cause of ENB-related CTDs, they can still cause issues if corrupted or conflicting with other shaders. Check your shader files for any coding errors or conflicts that may be causing the problem.

ENBlocal.ini: Check Your Proxy DLL Settings

If you're using a proxy DLL with ENB, ensure that it is enabled and listed correctly in the enblocal.ini file. Make sure that the proxy DLL also exists on your system.

Additional Tips for SSE Users

For users running the SSE version of Skyrim, remember to install both d3d11.dll and d3dcompiler_46e.dll. Mixing DLL files from different ENB versions can cause issues, so be sure to use only compatible files.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify and resolve common causes of CTDs when using the STEP ENB mod with Skyrim.

Skyrim step enb causing ctd