Hi there!
This thread is somewhere you can post an issue and/or access links to programs and guides for Fallout 4. It is useful to gain an understanding of what all the modding terms mean. You will eventually pick it up as you go along. It's not as hard as you think. Most tutorials are a step by step process, so you can still accomplish modding as long as you follow the rules and are prepared to re-trace your steps to solve issues. These threads aim to help you do that and ideally, avoid that.

If you feel you need to ask a question, feel free to post a comment and someone might just be able to help you. No question is a silly question. Trouble shooting is all about asking the most silliest questions first and is often simply a process of elimination :)

https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4
The most popular hub for modding. Free to join, safe and easy to access mods for your game. I've been at it for YEARS and never had a virus or anything. Don't listen to the BS, it's the best place to go to mod FO4.

Vortex is the new Mod Manager which is meant to replace Nexus Mod Manager. It has a more 'User-Friendly' Interface and also more dynamic mod-sorting functions, in order to help manage load order. From the looks of it, Vortex is more than meets the eye; It incorporates the functions of TESEdit/FO4Edit etc - by allowing you to identify and resolve conflicts, set certain rules of load order between mods, from within Vortex itself, so you may prefer this to using LOOT and TESEdit. Vortex uses the LOOT API, so it features the functions that LOOT does.

Here's a tutorial in written format on how to use Vortex to install mods:
https://wiki.nexusmods.com/index.php/Installing_your_first_mod_with_vortex

Gopher has made introduction and guide videos on how to use VORTEX mod manager here:
Gopher's guide to using Vortex Mod Manager

BUFFOUT_4[www.nexusmods.com] This very useful little gem was brought to my attention by someone here on steam. Check it out, it is free and addresses the ancient technology that Bethesda use to make their crashy games (game engine). Buffout4 pretty much does what it says on the tin, go check it out.
MAKE SURE to read the 'POSTS' tab on the modpage, there are further useful links provided there.

If you are looking for help and are fortunate enough to bump into helpful folks, wherever that may be, be sure to show them, and everyone helping, lots of respect. (they might just give you a Sweet-roll, though this has yet to be proven). Be patient too, more people might be able to help than the first one you encounter. Some mods aren't meant to be fixed in just one day, you might have to dig around for a while before success, so don't panic - you will emerge the other side having +1 permanently added to your INT :P
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Before you can mod Fallout 4 you need to modify the Archive section of the game's configuration files to allow mods to run in the game. Don't panic, you must do this in order to mod your game. This is what you need to edit:

• You need to add the following lines to the Fallout4Prefs.ini file below the section entitled:
  [Launcher]
  bEnableFileSelection=1
  
  
• Then add the following line in Fallout4Custom.ini below the section entitled:
  [Archive]
  bInvalidateOlderFiles=1
  sResourceDataDirsFinal=
  
  DON'T PANIC! If you, (like I was at first), are struggling to understand what on Earth all this gobble-de-♥♥♥♥ is, fear not. Gopher's youtube tutorials will take you by the hand and guide you step-by-step through the inner Hamster wheels of your PC in a clear and simple way. The tutorials explain how to input the above code into your folders.
  
  
• This easy-to-follow tutorial will stop you from turning off the internet because you put in the wrong ini entries (joke!):
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=fgUbpIzdpGY

Over time, as you add more mods to your FO4 data folder, you will notice that either you, or the mod manager will have added more edits to this, creating a string of essential configurations, ie: Textures / sounds / scripts / etc.. If users are experiencing longer loading times in their game, there is a method of invalidating these configurations from the sResourceDataDirsFinal script line in order to address this:

Fallout 4 Archive Invalidation
If your computer can handle the configurations with no issues then there's no real need to invalidate.

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= = = R E A D _ T H I S = = = =


So, the beginner is ready for modding. What is this Load order? Well, its pretty much what it says; It is the order in which your Master files primarily, then your plugins are loaded in the game. Plugins are loaded as they appear, in a downward direction. The master files being at the top and loaded first, then other subsequent plugins loaded after in the list as it goes down.

There are Master files and there are files that are masters of other files. The difference is that Master files always are loaded first, no matter where they might appear in the load order. Generally, they are at the top. Files that are masters of other files will need to be positioned above their child file. They are the parent file of that child file, their specific 'master' file only.

Let's look at an example. Let's say you have a mod that changes the weather and you have also installed a patch that adds different colours to that weather mod. The weather mod might be: RealisticWeatherMain.esp. Then the patch that adds extra colours is RWExtraColoursPatch.esp.
Now. They might appear similar but the weather mod needs to be above the patch and it also needs to be activated in order for the patch to work. This is the patches' Master file. If the master weather file is not activated, but the patch is, then the patch is going to be looking for its master file in order to load and it cannot then your game crashes on loading.

Here is a great video based on Xedit, being used in Fallout: New vegas. It is really good because the narrator goes into detail in a simplistic, easy to understand way, about load order and creating a merge patch, which as you'll learn is very handy indeed when dealing with certain conflicts. (certain conflicts - some conflicts will be down to missing files, which you have to make sure you have to start with when downloading/installing mods, which is why it is very important that you read the descriptions before installing!):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVKe51dRm2M



Below is an example of an ideal load order, created by modders, for the community to utilize. This link to the nexusmods page leads you to access further links to performance mods and other links from the page itself:

Load Order and Enhanced Performance[www.nexusmods.com]
It is highly recommended that you read the 'posts' section of all nexusmods, particularly this one, as it features more information on using FO4Edit to manually sort your load order - very helpful people.


This tutorial by GamerPoets is for the Layman but is full of advice and instructions on how to use it. LOOT is a sorting tool that helps you sort the master files, but you still need to sort your plugins, however. This tutorial shows how it works and how to use it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I35nNK8PWlw

Loot helps to sort master files in your load order. Currently, it is stated that it can only sort masterfiles (ESMs - Elder Scrolls Masters). But this is not all LOOT does. LOOT can detect dirty edits in your mods and flag them up, allowing you to focus your cleaning of your load order with Xedit. It will flag up different details with your mods, telling you what you need to do. You might need to merge mods, making a bash patch. So use Avrie's guide, link above. LOOT might point out some Identical to Master copies, (dirty edits) and other culprits, use FO4Edit to clean them, (link above). Bear in mind, some plug ins require them to be left alone, as the edits are intentional. LOOT will point this out to you, but it's up to you to do the house cleaning (run the programs as you mod).

Did you read the above? No, well read it! If you did, good job. You just improved your game stability by a bazillion percent.
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Mod organiser has been used a lot in the past but it doesn't really work that good for Fallout 4. It's not really recommended to be used.

• MOD ORGANIZER 2 (Fallout 4)
  https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/22732/?
  This tool is not fully operational for Fallout4 but does feature a tutorial on how to make it work for FO4. It is still much of a work-in-progress. As many will advise, it's best to stick to using Nexus Mod Manager for now, link below.
  
  This is an incredibly useful tool to help you sort your load order and it helps by flagging up issues in the load order, then helps you to fix it! This tool is also available for Skyrim SE also, although development looks like it's suspended at the moment. There are links to support pages though.
  
  
  
• Nexus Mod Manager
  
  Nexus Mod Manager Download Page[www.nexusmods.com]
  
  NMM is free and is a mod installer and manager. While it can help to provide you the ability to manage load order, it doesn't do it for you. It does, however, help to simplify installation, temporary deactivation and uninstallation of mods without having to manually download and install files into the Data folder yourself. In some cases files are requested to be manually installed, but generally you will find that most mods can be handled by the Mod Manager. This brief explanation therefore explains for itself the value of this tool. NMM works with many other games open to modding, not just Fallout and Elder Scrolls games. The link below will take you to the download page which shows you the games it works with.
  
  
• Tutorial on how to use the Nexus Mod Manager:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=12&v=nWDjdimWoMQ
  
  
• How to manually install your mods properly:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZpIQ6P38xE

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If you find that some mods are causing others to have missing items and are not working together, you can resolve this fairly easily by making a merge patch.

How to create a merged patch
To introduce you to merging mods, here is a simplified tutorial on how to resolve some basic conflicts you may be experiencing. (More below).

• The Principles Of Patching:
  This tutorial is using Skyrim as an example, but the principles for Fallout are exactly the same, because the tools are the same and the format is the same as Skyrim.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FDBnRbho74
  
  
• Xedit (FO4edit); Conflict resolution:
  This is a similar tutorial explaining the same, so as to further familiarise you with the process of resolving basic conflicts. It is easier once you start to understand the workings of the tools.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuQ0lJat_w0
  
  
• Avrie's Guide to Bash Patch and Merging with X-Edit
  http://node2.projectplanet.cn/@steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=947769634
  (taken from Avrie's introduction to the guide):
  "Why do I need to do this?
  What a Merged Patch does is generally, merge Leveled Lists, NPC dialogue options, item placements, and other information that would otherwise get overwritten by the mods at the end of the load order."

So it's aimed at helping certain mods in your load order to work together, reducing conflict issues arising between them, returning items that a later loaded mod might remove from a previously loaded one. Avrie's guide describes that merged patching and bash patching aren't as effective on their own as they are when used together. The programs you need are wrye bash and X-Edit, (which for FO4 is now updated to automatically rename the _exe as: 'FO4edit' during installation. Links to these free programs below).

Within Wrye Bash nexusmods page, you'll see a pictoral guide that you can download and read in pdf format, (There is also a link, in the guide description page, to a free pdf reader that you can download and install to use, too)

• Wrye bash:
  Wrye Bash[www.nexusmods.com]
  MAKE SURE that you download this manually, as stated in Avrie's guide, (above).
  Contents:
  - Wrye Bash download files.
  - links to pdf reader.
  - link to pictoral guide to help understand the technical jargon.
  
  
• X-Edit / (FO4Edit)
  X-Edit is the generic name for the tool. It applies to Fallout and Skyrim, so you've heard it as TESedit and FO4edit. It's the same program. It's a modding tool used to edit / clean mods and repair issues relating to mods' edits made by modding, with the goal to achieve a more stable load order with cleaner mods.
  
  Here are the links to X-Edit:
  X-Edit (FO4edit)[www.nexusmods.com]
  
  In-Depth X-Edit tutorial by Gamer Poets[www.nexusmods.com]
  This details X-Edit from start to finish, covering the why's and the when's and various different tools used with it. Gamer Poets is fast paced, but you can learn from it as a beginner, just watch them over and over and do the process as you watch, it's easy once you get started.
  
  Tutorial on cleaning a mod with XEdit for Fallout4, by M1dn1ght N1nj4:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsryKVTzS0A

M1dn1ght N1nj4 cleans his mod and shows you how to do it.



This is a tutorial showing how to install the Script Extender for Fallout 4:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hoapvrohsd0

• Here is the link to Silverlock, where you can download F4SE:
  Silverlock: F4SE free download[f4se.silverlock.org]

A number of mods that have scripts written or used for the mod to work outside of the game's scripting system will require the Script extender. The mod's description should say so and you need to make sure you notice this and check. The Script Extender is an amazing tool and we are all very grateful for the guys responsible for this.

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Modding information on Fallout 4 plugins prior to release of official modding tools
Fallout 4 Plugins
While outdated, this is useful for both modders and mod users. Primarily important for mod makers specifically. There are links to the sources relating to this video. (This video being made while awaiting the official tools being released).


Gopher has made a number of videos where he showcases a mod and then goes into detail what the mod does and how to get the most out of it. The link below takes you to the collection whereby you can choose what to watch from a list with titles.
Mod Vault: All episodes 1-50 in list form


Mod clinic features mods and how to use them. It also explains how to manage the mods and avoid issues.

(all 5 episodes):
Mod Clinic-useful tweaks[www.gophersvids.com]

Mod Clinic, (Individual Episodes):

• 1) Managing Shadows and framerate:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7DOT3B07Ns
  Nexus: Shadow Boost[www.nexusmods.com]
  
  
• 2) HUD and Inventory Overhaul:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puzGu4Cm2VQ
  Nexus: DEF-UI[www.nexusmods.com]
  
  
• 3) Bodyslide and CBBE:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkwtgp3x25s
  Nexus: nexus: CBBE[www.nexusmods.com]
  Nexus: nexus: Bodyslide[www.nexusmods.com]
  
  
• 4) FO4 Hotkeys:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUCWZ6VFBbc&t=29s
  Nexus: nexus: Hotkeys[www.nexusmods.com]
  
  
• 5) Transfer cool settlements to your game:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RyOrVK4pZY&t=42s
  Nexus: nexus: Transfer Settlements[www.nexusmods.com]

Issues with mods that used 'strings' (FIXED ISSUE)
This is an outdated video but just for reference and is still useful to know:
Strings glitch fix

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In terms of fairness, some people like the Creation Club and want to be a part of it. Maybe it's because they just prefer to stick with modding with Bethesda alone. That is their choice. So here is a link to the Creation Club:

• Accessing the Creation Club

Creation Club[creationclub.bethesda.net]

You can find a professionally compiled showcase here, giving you a look at what the Creation club has to offer the community. As we all say about using mods, just make sure you understand what you are getting from this and what it entails in terms of your gaming experience and familiarize yourself with its financial system. Make sure you are prepared to pay the prices that are asked for these mods. Compare them to identical mods that you can get elswhere for free and make your mind up. Bethesda do not support your issues if you have other mods than creation kit. Bear that in mind before opting into this.

• Handy solutions to help you work around the the effects of the Creation Club, (if you so choose to).

Mod Vault 50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkEqagfk6dY
Mods covered in this video:
1.No More Creation Club News PC[www.nexusmods.com]
2.Creation Club File Fixer PC (OUTDATED) [www.nexusmods.com]
This was for when we initially had all that data from the Creation Club stealthed into our hard drives. It's not really required now since we got Bethesda to make an update which does not download any more CC files.

3.Fallout4.exe Auto-Backup PC[www.nexusmods.com]
4.Mod Configuration Menu PC[www.nexusmods.com]

• Cross platform Mod tutorials
  Links to help with mod management, cross platform, (PS4, Xbox, PC).

Console Advice: Installing mods and Load order
Red Mage has been modding since Morrowind. Here's a tutorial by him that covers console modding:
Red Mage's Tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mZnw3fIZ7o

XBOX ONE: Auto Updates disable tool
This video by LilleMiir explains how to prevent CC content filling up your console HDD, if you choose to not want it:
How To Disable Updates on Xbox One

Likewise, this is a little off topic but, if you want:
survival mode free for console version of Skyrim:
Survival mode free for console


Is Nexus safe?
https://node2.projectplanet.cn/@steamcommunity.com/app/377160/discussions/0/1520386297692474882/