| Skyrim Version | Required SKSE64 Version | Compatible RaceMenu Version | |----------------|------------------------|------------------------------| | 1.5.97 | 2.0.20 | 0.4.16 (Final SE build) | | 1.6.640 (AE) | 2.2.6 | 0.4.19+ | | 1.6.1170 (AE) | 2.2.6 | 0.4.19+ |
Critical Note: Do not download RaceMenu v0.4.19 or newer. Those versions require the Address Library for AE and the 1.6.x runtime. They will not work on 1.5.97.
Symptom: You open RaceMenu, but the character stays bald, or the menu never loads the 3D head.
Cause: Corrupt shader cache or missing NiOverride (which is built into RaceMenu now).
Fix: Delete the Skyrim.ini and SkyrimPrefs.ini in Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition and let the game regenerate them. Then, re-run BethINI. racemenu for skyrim se 1597 work
Always launch via skse64_loader.exe. The RaceMenu UI will appear on any new character creation or using showracemenu in the console.
If you have recently updated Skyrim Special Edition to version 1.5.97 (often automatically done via Steam), you have likely noticed that your old RaceMenu mod stopped working. Instead of the customizable menu, you are greeted by the vanilla character creator, or worse, the game crashes immediately upon opening the mirror. | Skyrim Version | Required SKSE64 Version |
Here is the breakdown of why this happens and how to fix it.
Cause: You are running out of memory. 1.5.97 is an x86 process (4GB limit without patches).
Fix: Ensure you have SSE Engine Fixes (for 1.5.97) installed and the MemoryManager=false in its TOML file. RaceMenu is not just a UI replacer —
RaceMenu v0.4.16 (the last version officially supporting 1.5.97) runs flawlessly. No crashes, missing sliders, or script lag — provided you install it correctly.
RaceMenu is not just a UI replacer — it is a SKSE plugin + Papyrus script + Scaleform (Flash) interface. Version 1597 includes:
Symptom: You click "Sculpt" and Skyrim CTDs (Crashes to Desktop). Cause: This is actually a memory issue. RaceMenu requires a lot of RAM for the sculpt vertex data. Fix: Install SSE Engine Fixes (for 1.5.97) AND Address Library for SKSE Plugins (All in one - 1.5.97). Without the Address Library, the sculpt tab will crash.