Introduction

Flickering water is a frequently occurring glitch in Skyrim that primarily affects older graphic cards. The in-game water’s surface appears unstable and glitchy, often accompanied by other physics bugs like objects moving erratically. To address this issue, there are several potential solutions that you could explore, such as adjusting graphics settings.

How to Fix Skyrim Water Flickering in the Elder Scrolls V?

Following are some solutions to fix Skyrim Water Flickering in The Elder Scrolls V. Use these list of solutions to resolve this issue:

Reflect Option

Skyrim’s cosmetic visual settings can often be demanding on the framerate, leading to a detrimental effect on the game’s physics. However, by disabling certain options, you can achieve a balance between maintaining quality and avoiding performance issues. Additionally, some users may find that not using 3D vision or shadows can help to alleviate the problem.

Try Editing iPresentInterval

.ini files are files that allow you to modify Skyrim’s optimal settings, and they can be found at the location: “C:\Users\USER\Documents\My Games\skyrim”. To edit these files, you can use Notepad, but it is important to set the file as “read-only” after saving any changes. Before making any alterations, it is advisable to create a backup copy of the file to avoid any potential issues.

Within the .ini file, you can adjust the “iPresentInterval” setting, which determines the monitor’s refresh rate. If set to 0, the FPS will be uncapped, resulting in broken game physics since the game’s engine is hard-coded at 60 FPS. To maintain a stable 60 FPS for a 60Hz monitor, set “iPresentInterval” to 1. For those with 120Hz or 144Hz monitors, setting it to 2 will allow you to play at 60 FPS.

Try Limiting FPS

As mentioned previously, the vanilla version of Skyrim is designed to operate at 60 FPS. Exceeding this limit can result in problems with the game’s physics system. To address this issue, there are various methods of restricting the FPS.

One approach is to use the NVIDIA Control Panel, which can be accessed through the latest GeForce driver. Once you have opened the control panel, navigate to “Manage 3D settings” under the 3D settings options. From there, you can access the “Max Frame Rate” option in the “Global Settings” panel and set your preferred limit, which, for Skyrim, is recommended to be 60 FPS.

Another program that can be used is the NVIDIA Profile Inspector. Under the “Sync and Refresh” option, you can locate the “Frame Rate Limiter” and manually input your desired FPS limit. If you type in 60 FPS, it will display as 3C in hex. Once you have entered the desired limit, click on “Apply Changes” in the top right corner and select “The Elder Scrolls V” as your option. Enjoy!

Try V-Sync

In addition, it is possible to enable VSYNC in Skyrim. VSYNC, also known as vertical sync, is a technology developed by GPU manufacturers to synchronize the refresh rate and frame rate of a monitor, thereby resolving screen tearing issues. Screen tearing occurs when the GPU displays parts from multiple frames simultaneously, causing the display to split along a horizontal line. This phenomenon is caused when the frame rate does not match the GPU’s refresh rate.

To turn on VSYNC in Skyrim, you can navigate to the .ini files and search for “iVsyncPresentInterval”. This line acts as a switch for VSYNC. If you cannot find it, you can add it yourself. Edit the line to read “iVsyncPresentInterval=1” to enable VSYNC. Remember to create a backup file before making any changes, and set the file as read-only after saving.

Alternatively, you can turn on VSYNC through the NVIDIA Control Panel. Under the “3D Settings” options, click on “Manage 3D Settings”. Scroll down until you see “Vertical sync” under “I would like to use the following 3D settings”, and select “Vertical sync”. From the drop-down menu, choose “Force on” to enable VSYNC.

Try Using Mods

The Skyrim modding community on Nexus plays a significant role in keeping the game engaging for years, as mods have fixed many issues in the past and continue to do so. One such mod is Skyrim Landscape and Water Fixes, which addresses a variety of graphical glitches, floating and misplaced objects, landscape gaps, navmesh improvements, and more in Tamriel’s world space. Additionally, it eliminates many duplicate items, such as trees, which can enhance FPS in different locations.

To install the mod, use the mod manager and ensure that you have all the necessary patches. Place Landscape and Water Fixes.esp right after the unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch.esp, and ensure that all patches are released after SLaWF and the corresponding mods.

FAQs

Following are the frequently asked questions about Skyrim Water Flickering in The Elder Scrolls V:

Q1: What is water flickering in Skyrim?

Ans: Water flickering is a visual glitch in Skyrim that occurs when the surface of in-game water starts to flicker and behave unstably. This is often due to older graphics cards and can come with other physics bugs and glitches, such as objects flying around.

Q2: How can I fix water flickering in Skyrim?

Ans: There are several solutions to fix water flickering in Skyrim. You can try changing the graphics settings, disabling 3D vision, restricting FPS, enabling VSync, and using mods like Skyrim Landscape and Water Fixes.

Q3: Can I change the game’s settings to fix the water flickering?

Ans: Yes, you can change the Skyrim.ini files to fix the water flickering. These files can be found at “C:\Users\USER\Documents\My Games\skyrim,” and you can open them with Notepad. Before editing, make a backup in case something goes wrong. Set the file as read-only after saving it. Set “iPresentInterval=1” to keep the FPS at 60 for a 60Hz monitor. Set it to 2 to play at 60 FPS for 120Hz and 144Hz monitors.

Q4: How do I restrict FPS to fix water flickering?

Ans: You can restrict FPS to fix water flickering by accessing the NVIDIA Control Panel with the newest GeForce driver. Under the 3D settings options, navigate to Manage 3D settings, find the “Max Frame Rate” option under the Global Settings panel, and limit it to 60 FPS for Skyrim. You can also use the NVIDIA Profile Inspector and enter 60 FPS in hex under “Frame Rate Limiter” and click on “Apply Changes.”

Q5: What is VSync, and how can it help fix water flickering?

Ans: VSync, or vertical sync, synchronizes the refresh rate and frame rate of a monitor to prevent screen tearing. To enable VSync in Skyrim, search for ‘iVsyncPresentInterval’ in the .ini files and set it to 1. You can also enable VSync in the NVIDIA Control Panel under “Vertical sync” and choose “Force on” from the drop-down.

Conclusion

Water flickering is a common issue in Skyrim, particularly for older graphics cards. However, there are several solutions available to fix this issue, such as adjusting graphic settings, editing the .ini files, limiting FPS, and installing mods.

It is important to follow the steps carefully and always make backups before making any changes to ensure the stability and integrity of the game. With the right approach, you can enjoy a smooth and glitch-free Skyrim experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world of Tamriel fully.