My game crashes when I open it, or connect to a server

Q: My game crashes when I open it, or when I connect to a server

A: Your CPU needs support for AES-NI (AES New Instructions). The reason why this is needed in the client and server, is because they depend on libsodium lib, which relies on AES. Therefore, we need to wait until libsodium stop relying on AES (which is unlikely), or reimplement some parts with OpenSSL (time consuming).

How do I know if my CPU supports AES-NI? (Intel)

1. Find the name of your CPU, using this method:

2. Press your Windows key and search for System information

3. Find the line where it says Processors and write down the name.

4. Then visit the this page from Intel.

5. Use the search function:
6. Type in your CPU, e.g. i7-9700K and select it:
7. Search for AES New Instructions on the page that opens

8. If it says Yes, it's supported on your CPU. If it says No, it's not supported on your CPU.

How do I know if AES-NI enabled?

We need to download a tool named CPU-Z.

1. Download CPU-Z here.

2. Select the version you prefer (setup or portable version)

3. Download and install it

4. Open CPU-Z and look for AES under Instructions:
5. If you can find AES, it should be enabled.

How do I enable it in my BIOS?

A: You could try turning on AES-NI in your BIOS. This appears to be especially important for Intel CPUs. This is difficult to walk you through because practically every BIOS looks different.

Windows 10

If you're running Windows 10, follow these steps to access your BIOS:

1. Go to Settings

2. Select Update and Security

3. Select Recovery

4. Click Restart

5. Click Troubleshoot

6. Select Advanced Options

7. Select UEFI Firmware Settings

8. You should now enter your BIOS

9. Use whatever search function you have to find something related to AES-NI.

10. You can use the following keywords: AES AES-NI Data Protection Technology Advanced Encryption Standard

11. Enable AES/AES-NI

12. Save your settings and restart your PC - usually use the F10 key.

Windows 11

If you're running Windows 11, follow these steps to access your BIOS:

1. Go to Settings

2. Select System

3. Select Recovery

4. Select Restart now right beside Advanced startup

5. Click Troubleshoot

6. Select Advanced Options

7. Select UEFI Firmware Settings

8. You should now enter your BIOS

9. Use whatever search function you have to find something related to AES-NI.

10. You can use the following keywords: AES AES-NI Data Protection Technology Advanced Encryption Standard

11. Enable AES/AES-NI

12. Save your settings and restart your PC - usually use the F10 key.

I have AES-NI enabled, but the issue still persists. What do I do?

A: When connecting, make sure you're using the correct IP address and port. It's a little detail, but I mistakenly misspelled my IP address, which crashed me to my desktop (CTD).

A: Delete your INI files from the Skyrim Special Edition folder in My Games. Then, relaunch SkyrimSE through Steam (not through MO2 or VMM) to allow it to regenerate the vanilla config files.