Warnings
- For Games for Windows - LIVE on Windows 8 or later, install the latest Games for Windows - LIVE software.
Fallout 3 is a singleplayer first-person open world RPG shooter developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. The game marks the shift of the series from isometric 2D graphics and turn-based combat to full-3D graphics and real-time combat.
The Microsoft Windows version of game was released physically at retail stores and digitally on Steam on October 28, 2008. A total of five DLC expansions were released for the game (Operation: Anchorage, The Pitt, Broken Steel, Point Lookout and Mothership Zeta), and on October 12, 2009, the base game along with all five expansions were bundled and released as Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition on all platforms.[1] On June 2, 2017, a DRM-free version of the the Game of the Year Edition was released on GOG.com.[2]
The retail version of the game is not optimized for Windows 8 and above out-of-the-box. However, many of these issues can be alleviated by installing various stability and compatibility mods. The GOG.com release features three such modifications pre-applied to the game: Games For Windows Live Disabler, Large Address Aware and multi-core CPU fix. The Steam version received an update in October 2021 which also removed Games for Windows Live.[3].
The modding community for Fallout 3 is extensive; with the officially-provided Garden of Eden Creation Kit, players have produced a variety of mods. The largest repository of Fallout 3 mods is available at Nexus Mods
Bug-fix and stability mods are still strongly recommended, regardless of where the game was purchased. See Essential improvements and Modifications section for more information.
General information
- Official support knowledgebase
- GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
- GOG.com Support Page
- Steam Community Discussions (Game of the Year Edition)
- Steam Community Discussions
Availability
- StarForce DRM for this game may not work on modern versions of Windows (see above for affected releases).
- The retail version requires Games for Windows - LIVE DRM[Note 2], see Modifications.
- Games for Windows - LIVE DRM was removed for all Epic Games Store, GOG, Microsoft Store, and Steam (v1.7.0.4) versions.
Version differences
- The Game of the Year Edition includes the base game bundled with all five DLC expansion packs.
- The German version only includes the German language and features censoring of blood/gore, however, the German GOG.com release is uncensored.
Monetization
DLC and expansion packs
| Name |
Notes |
|
| Operation: Anchorage |
|
|
| The Pitt |
|
|
| Broken Steel |
|
|
| Point Lookout |
|
|
| Mothership Zeta |
|
|
Essential improvements
Official patches
- The latest patch versions are shown below. For retail installs, the latest patch for all regions can be downloaded from Bethesda or from PCGamingWiki. The retail Game of the Year Edition will apply the 1.7.0.3 patch during the DLC disc installation.
- Retail/GOG - 1.7.0.3
- Epic Games Store/Steam - 1.7.0.4
Unofficial fixes
- Large Address Aware Enabler - enables the game to utilize more than 2 GB RAM. Pre-patched on GOG.com version, however
FOSE.exe still needs to be patched with this. GNU/Linux users running the game on Wine can export WINE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE=1 as a parameter instead.
- Ogg Vorbis Libraries - updated sound libraries that optimize the game's audio decoding, fixes an audio-related memory leak, sound-related stuttering and boosts performance while reducing CPU strain. Released for Fallout: New Vegas, but also works on Fallout 3.
- Intel HD graphics Bypass package - Fallout 3 crashes when trying to load a save on some IntelHD iGPUs, such as the IntelHD 4000. This mod fixes that.
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
Save game data location
- GoG saves are compatible with the Epic Store version.
Video
- Most graphics options are accessible on the main launcher screen.
- Displays HUD on the middle display.
|
Multi-monitor[citation needed]
|
- Open
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\FALLOUT.ini
- Find the following lines:
iSafeZoneXWide=15iSafeZoneYWide=15iSafeZoneX=15
|
- Relevant multi-monitor resolutions:
| 3840x1024 |
5040x1050
|
| iSafeZoneXWide=610 |
iSafeZoneXWide=770
|
| iSafeZoneYWide=15 |
iSafeZoneYWide=15
|
| iSafeZoneX=610 |
iSafeZoneX=770
|
|
Configure ultra-wide resolution[11]
|
- Open
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\FalloutPrefs.ini
- Set
iSize W= to your horizontal resolution, e.g. iSize W=3440
- Set
iSize H= to your vertical resolution, e.g. iSize H=1440
Notes
- Hor+
- No menu or HUD stretch
|
|
Edit Field of view (FOV)[12]
|
- Open
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\FALLOUT.ini
- Find the section:
[Display]
- Add these lines to the bottom of the section:
fDefaultWorldFOV=75.0000fDefault1stPersonFOV=55.0000
- Change the FOV value based on your aspect ratio.
The second line affects the FOV of the gun, so a lower value is recommended to avoid clipping.
For example 66
|
These values use the 5:4 aspect ratio as a baseline FOV:
| Aspect Ratio |
FOV Value
|
| 4:3 |
79.9000
|
| 16:9 |
105.3000
|
| 15:9 |
99.0000
|
| 16:10 |
95.2000
|
| 21:9 |
80.0000
|
Enabling HBAO+ for Nvidia graphics cards
- Note: Using Nvidia HBAO+ can break compatibility with ENB Series.
- Use the Ambient Occlusion flag
0x00000005 with Quality or High Quality.
Using Ambient Occlusion flag 0x00000005[13]
|
- Download and run Nvidia Profile Inspector.
- Under
Profiles select Fallout 3.
- Under
Ambient Occlusion compatibility insert the flag 0x00000005.
- Under
Ambient Occlusion usage select Enabled.
- Under
Ambient Occlusion setting select your quality of preference, but in order to use HBAO+ you must use Quality or High Quality.
- Click
Apply changes.
- If you get an error saying access denied when applying the Ambient Occlusion setting, navigate to:
"C:\ProgramData\NVIDIA Corporation" and delete the folder named "Drs". If there is no Drs folder then create it, this will fix the error.
|
Input
|
Disable mouse acceleration[14][15]
|
- Open
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\fallout.ini
- Find the section:
[Controls]
- Add the lines:
fForegroundMouseAccelBase=0
fForegroundMouseAccelTop=0
fForegroundMouseBase=0
fForegroundMouseMult=0
|
|
Disable mouse acceleration (Menu cursor)[16]
|
- Open
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\FALLOUT.INI
- Find the line
bBackground Mouse=
- Change the
0 value to 1
Notes
- It's possible that alt-tabbing returns the menu cursor mouse acceleration until restarting the game.
|
Audio
| Audio feature |
State |
Notes |
| Separate volume controls |
|
Music, footsteps, voice, effects and radio. |
| Surround sound |
|
In-game Audio, up to 7.1 output[17] Cutscene Audio is 2.0. |
| Subtitles |
|
Shows one subtitle at a time. |
| Closed captions |
|
|
| Mute on focus lost |
|
|
| EAX support |
|
Use DSOAL to enable true binaural sound. Does not require a sound card.[18] |
| Royalty free audio |
|
Combination of original and licensed music. |
- May require DirectSound3D restoration software to restore proper audio functionality on Vista and later (Included in HRTF mod).
Localizations
- The German version only includes the German language.
VR support
Issues unresolved
Drop button & functionality stops working
|
when using a controller the drop button dissappears from the inventory preventing the player from dropping items[19],[20]
|
Microsoft Store game download is unusually big
|
The download will attempt to install the English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish single-language versions at the same time, resulting in a 43 GB download.[21]
|
- Any unnecessary versions can be deleted after the download has finished.
|
Issues fixed
Game crashes randomly
- The most common fix required for this game.
- Not required for the GOG.com version[7], the Epic Games Store version, or the latest Steam version.
|
Multiple core CPU fix[22][23]
|
- Open
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\FALLOUT.ini
- Change
bUseThreadedAI=0 to bUseThreadedAI=1
- Make a new line after it and add
iNumHWThreads=2
- If the game still crashes, try
iNumHWThreads=1
|
- Tested on the Steam version. The game's engine may struggle on frame rates higher than 60 FPS.
|
Alternate frame locking fix on Linux[24]
|
- Right click on the game in your Steam library and select Properties.
- On the General tab, there will be a text entry box for Launch options. Enter
DXVK_FRAME_RATE=60 %command%.
- Close the Properties box, and relaunch the game.
|
Game crashes on start-up
|
Ensure that logging into GFWL is possible (retail only)[citation needed]
In case of any problems, run Fallout 3 in compatibility mode - Windows XP SP3, and GFWL installer in Windows 7 compatibility mode.
|
|
Disable other monitors[25][citation needed]
|
- If the game is crashing on start-up, disabling any other monitors in use could resolve this.
- Right-click on the desktop and select Screen Resolution from the context menu.
- In the Screen Resolution Control Panel, click on the drop-down list labeled "Multiple Displays" and select "Show desktop only on 1" (or the monitor you wish to run the game on).
- Click apply then on the pop-up window click "Keep changes".
|
Change FalloutPrefs.ini to match the current GPU[citation needed]
|
- If
fallout3.exe does nothing when trying to open it, FalloutPrefs.ini may be referencing an old GPU.
- Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winsat
- Open the entry named
PrimaryAdapterString and copy the text, it should be something similar to AMD Radeon R9 200 Series for AMD cards
- Edit
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\falloutprefs.ini
- Change
sD3DDevice to your PrimaryAdapterString
- It should look something like this
sD3DDevice="AMD Radeon R9 200 Series"
|
Crash when starting new game or loading save
Game keeps minimizing
- Caused by the cursor being active in the background (and clicking icons, links, buttons etc.)
Certain non-conversation voices, such as museum exhibits, random speech and holotapes are too quiet
|
Editing the config file[28][29]
|
- Open
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\fallout.ini.
- Edit
fFilterDistortionGain=-18.2 to a higher value, for example -9.2.
- Edit
fFilterdBAttenuation=11.5 to a lower value, for example 2.5.
|
Pip-Boy radio skipping or stuttering
- Commonly caused by an issue with the current MP3 codec, the format used exclusively by songs played through Pip-Boy radio.
- The music may not be stuttering when the game is minimized, with the song played normally.
|
Use DSOAL[citation needed]
|
|
Fix for Creative X-Fi soundcards[30][citation needed]
|
- Try the Audio Codec fix for game crashes first, if your Pip-Boy radio still skips (test with the enclave channel) owners of a creative soundcard may find that this helps.
- Open
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\fallout.ini
- Edit
iAudioCacheSize=2048 to 4096.
- Install the latest ALchemy.
- Add Fallout 3 to Creative Alchemy: select Use Registry Path and point it to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Bethesda Softworks\Fallout3\Installed Path. Do not install to subfolder. Settings should be: Buffers=10; Duration=5; Maximum Voice Count=128. Leave direct music enabled.
Notes:
- With Creative ALchemy, the distortion filter used for example in holotapes doesn't work.
- Creative ALchemy returns several errors in its log file regarding buffers and distorted looping sounds may occur in game.
|
|
Disable MP3 decoding in LAV Splitter Configuration[32]
|
- Might work with similar codec packs, for example ffdshow.
- Open LAV Splitter Configuration program by finding the shortcut in the Start Menu.
- In Input Formats tab, find mp3 codec and uncheck it.
|
|
Set LAV Audio as preferred DirectShow MP3 decoder
|
- Might work with similar codec packs, for example ffdshow.
- Download and open CodecTweakTool.
- Go to Preferred decoders under Win7DSFilterTweaker.
- Under 32-bit decoders find MP3 and switch it to LAV Audio (or any other non-Microsoft decoder).
|
Crash when leaving Rivet City marketplace
|
Use UPDATED Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch version 1.3 or greater[citation needed]
|
- See UUF3P Instructions
|
|
Use fixed Broken Steel patch[citation needed]
|
- Go to
<path-to-game>\Data
- Replace the file
Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch - Broken Steel.esp with the one found here
|
Game hangs on closing
|
Disable threaded audio[citation needed]
|
- Open
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3\FALLOUT.ini
- Change
bMultiThreadAudio=1 to bMultiThreadAudio=0
|
Game hangs a few seconds after loading
|
Disable Creative Alchemy if no Creative soundcard present[citation needed]
|
- This might occur if you had a Creative soundcard installed at any point, then removed it.
- Run Creative ALchemy.
- Ensure that Fallout 3 is not in the "ALchemy-enabled Games" column.
|
Game becomes unresponsive after Alt+Tab ↹
Save games missing
- If logged into Games for Windows LIVE, the game will save in the Games for Windows LIVE folder corresponding to the currently logged-in username. If logged out of the service, the game will be unable to locate the saves.[citation needed]
|
Retrieve Missing Saves[citation needed]
|
- Go to
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Fallout3.
- Search in the subfolders for your latest saves. If you were not logged in while saving, the saves will be found in the
Saves folder. If you were logged in, the saves will be under your Games for Windows LIVE folder.
- Copy the files out to either folder (your username if you plan on logging in each time, or the
Saves folder if you do not).
- Once you restart the game, your saves should now be detected.
|
Greyed out options in the launcher
|
Add/Fix path in Windows registry[33]
|
- Open regedit.
- Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Bethesda Softworks\Fallout3.
Create the key if it does not exist.
- Create a new string value named
Installed Path, if it doesn't exist already.
- Set its contents to
<path-to-game> with a trailing backslash (e.g. C:\GOG Games\Fallout 3\).
|
Other information
API
| Technical specs |
Supported |
Notes |
| Direct3D |
9.0c |
|
| Executable |
32-bit |
64-bit |
Notes |
| Windows |
|
|
|
Middleware
Modifications
- See Essential improvements for modifications that fix bugs and improve performance.
- Several useful modding guides are listed below.
- A comprehensive tweak guide can be found here.
- A first playthrough friendly modding guide can be found here.
- A more extensive guide that covers all kind of mods can be found here.
Mod managers
- Mod managers simplify mod installation, among various additional features and are optional.
- Fallout Mod Manager (FOMM) - basic mod manager with a simple user interface, suitable for beginners.
- Vortex - official mod manager made by Nexus Mods.
- Mod Organizer - powerful mod manager with mod virtualization, keeping the game installation folder vanilla. Features a configuration editor.
- BOSS - allows for one-click mod sorting. Not updated since 2016, but perfectly fine for adding essential patches and fixes.
- Load Order Optimisation Tool (LOOT) - once all mods have been installed, run this program a single time to ensure the optimal load order. Provides plugin-specific messages, including usage notes, Bash Tag suggestions, requirements, incompatibilities, bug warnings and installation mistake notifications. Supports the sorting of plugins ghosted by the Wrye Bash utility, is highly customizable, and has been translated into multiple languages.
Utilities
- Fallout 3 Script Extender (FOSE) - extends the scripting capabilities of Fallout 3's game engine (required by many mods). Automatically disables Games for Windows - LIVE (GFWL). Normal Russian and Polish DVD retail copies, Direct2Drive copies, and the unpatched game (1.0.0.12) are all unsupported. The Epic Games Store and Microsoft Store versions require the Fallout Anniversary Patcher. The latest Steam version (v1.7.0.4) is not compatible with FOSE and needs to be downgraded to 1.7.0.3 to be compatible.
- ArchiveInvalidation Invalidated - eliminates the need for
ArchiveInvalidation.txt
- FO3Edit - an advanced graphical module viewer/editor and conflict detector. Can be used to view, detect conflicts, and edit module files.
- BethINI - optimizes the game's INI files for increased graphical fidelity and performance. It is recommended to configure graphic settings from this program instead of the original game's launcher. Vsync must be disabled in order to not conflict with the multi-core mod mentioned in Essential improvements section.
- Fallout Anniversary Patcher - a patcher / downgrader tool that downgrades the Steam version of the game from 1.7.0.4 to 1.7.0.3, which is widely supported by mods, most notably FOSE. Also automatically removes Games for Windows Live, makes the game large address aware and fixes a file handle limit and mod limit bug.
- Games for Windows - LIVE Disabler - removes login delay for the now-defunct GFWL service, reducing startup time. Requires game version v1.1 or higher.
- FO3 BSA Decompressor - decompresses the game’s BSA files and repacks them without compression, resulting in increased performance and reduced stuttering.
Unofficial patches
- Updated Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch - fixes hundreds of bugs not covered by the official patches. Constantly updated and maintained (as of 2025). If any of the 5 DLCs aren't present, an older bugged version will be installed.
- Unofficial Fallout 3 ESM Patcher - optimizes and fixes thousands of records across the base game and DLC plugins to increase performance and stability. Many of the included fixes are ported from the Updated Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch, but with better compatibility for other mods.
- Water Edges Fix - fixes transparency and flickering glitches with the game's water.
- Female Pip-Boy Fix - fixes Pip-Boy arm-clipping on female characters.
- Pip-Boy Mesh Fix - fixes unintentional gaps present in the Pip-Boy mesh
- Point Lookout Horizon fix - fixes bugged horizon in Point Lookout DLC.
- ActorCause Save Bloat Fix - removes unnecessary bloat from save files, thereby reducing save file sizes by up to 30% and decreasing the time taken to load and save games
- Feral Ghoul Dialogue Restoration - fixes the playback of a voice line that wouldn't play due to an incorrect line in game's code
- Enable Multi-Core Threading - enables more than two physical cores to be utilized. If a fast cursor issue appears, apply this fix.
- Fallout 3 Heap Replacer - replaces in-game heap with a better-optimized version. Decreases load times, alleviates stutter and slightly improves frame rate.
Script Extender Plugins
- The following mods require Fallout 3 Script Extender (FOSE).
- New Vegas Anti-Crash (NVAC) - released for Fallout: New Vegas, but also works for Fallout 3. Implements structured exception handling and sanity-checking to reduce frequency of game crashes.
- Combat Lag Fix - fixes an engine bug that lowers frame rate during combat.
- Fallout 3 Tick Fix - alleviates the game's micro-stuttering.
- Mod Limit Fix - raises the game's 120 plugin limit to 255. Can also cause an increase in FPS, remove game stutter, and allow for faster loading times (especially when using a large number of mods).
- Out-of-Memory Fix - decreases overall RAM usage and eliminates errors occurring when using large textures.
- Sunlight Fix - fixes incorrect sunlight position.
- Viewmodel Shading Fix - fixes missing specular lighting and lack of muzzle flash lights on viewmodel. Requires Sunlight Fix to work properly.
- Command Extender - fixes various engine bugs.
- High Resolution Water Fog - Water Aliasing Fix - increases resolution of water depth render target
- IStewieAI's Tweaks - an esp-less collection of quality-of-life improvements in one file with INI settings to enable tweaks.
- zlib Updated - updates zlib to the latest version for faster loading and less stutter.
- ButcherPete FOSE - implements some script functions from New Vegas for modders to use and fixes some existing ones. Recommended to be used in tandem with the Command Extender.
- Triple Buffering - enables triple buffering, fixing halved FPS and instability caused by the default double-buffer V-Sync.
Overhauls
- Tale of Two Wastelands - total conversion of Fallout 3 and its DLC to the Fallout: New Vegas engine, allowing both games to be played on a single save file. along with the improvements New Vegas' engine brings in regards to stability and modding. Requires Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition and Fallout: New Vegas - Ultimate Edition. The mod is currently in beta and is generally considered stable. Installation guide by GamerPoets.
- Fellout - Removes the green tint and desaturation look and makes the game more saturated and vibrant, along with improving the weathers.
User interface
- Vanilla UI Plus (VUI+) - overhauls the user interface without compromising the original style. Supports high-resolution scaling for mods that upscale the game's HUD elements.
- Consistent Pip-Boy Icons - remasters around 3,600 of the vanilla icons for higher resolutions, and fixes consistency issues of the original icons in regards to transparency, sizes etc. Released for Fallout: New Vegas, but also works for Fallout 3. The version on the original mod page can only be installed with Mod Organizer and includes non-vanilla icons.
- Vanilla HUD Cleaned - remasters text and other vanilla HUD elements. Requires Vanilla UI Plus.
- High Resolution Screens - increases the render resolution of in-game screens (Pipboy, terminals, character creation menu) to match game's screen resolution.
- Visual Objectives - adds floating markers for quest objectives.
Texture packs
Miscellaneous
- Personal Achievements Log - adds in-game achievements (the same ones found on the console and GFWL versions). If installed in the middle of a playthrough, a holotape will be placed outside of Vault 101, which upon picking up, unlocks any achievements the player has already met the requirements for.
- CASM - periodically saves the game in rotating slots, but not at dangerous times. Recommended over vanilla game's autosaves, which are prone to corruption.
- High Refresh Rate Guide - way to unlock FPS without breaking physics.
- Yet Another Steam Overlay Fixer - fixes the game's compatibility with the Steam's overlay interface.
System requirements
| Windows |
|
Minimum | Recommended |
| Operating system (OS) |
XP, Vista | |
| Processor (CPU) |
Intel Pentium 4 2.4 GHz
AMD Athlon 64 4000+ | Intel Core 2 Duo
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ |
| System memory (RAM) |
1 GB (XP)
2 GB (Vista) | 2 GB |
| Storage drive (HDD/SSD) |
7 GB | |
| Video card (GPU) |
ATI Radeon X850
Nvidia GeForce 6800
256 MB of VRAM
DirectX 9.0c compatible | ATI Radeon HD 3800
Nvidia GeForce 8800
512 MB of VRAM |
| Sound (audio device) |
DirectX 9.0c compatible | |
- Fallout 3 is not optimized for Windows 7 and later.
Notes
References
