If you have landed on this page, you are likely in one of two situations. Either you are a “downgraded” Skyrim SE user stubbornly clinging to version 1.5.97 (the pre-Anniversary Edition build) for the sake of mod stability, or you are troubleshooting why your character’s sliders have vanished.
The keyword “RaceMenu for Skyrim SE 1597 work” is a plea for binary confirmation: Yes or no? And if yes, which version?
The short answer is Yes, RaceMenu works perfectly on Skyrim SE 1.5.97. However, the long answer involves version parity, SKSE compatibility, and the nuances of the modern Skyrim modding landscape.
| File | Purpose |
|-------|---------|
| RaceMenuPlugin.esp | Dummy plugin to load scripts. |
| RaceMenuPlugin.dll | SKSE plugin — handles memory hooks, NiOverride, overlays. |
| SKSE/Plugins/RaceMenuPlugin.log | Debug log for morph/overlay failures. |
| Data/Interface/RaceMenu/RaceMenu.xwm | Background music for character creation. |
| meshes/actors/character/character assets/*.tri | Morph targets for head parts. |
| SKSE/Plugins/chargen/ | Where .jslot presets are saved/loaded. |
The overlay system works by dynamically creating new texture sets and attaching them as extra render passes on the face/body shader.
On Nexus Mods, RaceMenu has continued development for both AE and the "Best of Both Worlds" downgrade patcher. However, the last version officially and explicitly built against the 1.5.97 headers of SKSE64 is:
PapyrusCompiler.exe "Data/Scripts/Source/RaceMenuPluginScarTint.psc" -f="TESV_Papyrus_Flags.flg" -i="Data/Scripts/Source;Data/Scripts/Source/RaceMenu"
Once installed, you can access the menu by:
⚠️ Important Warning:
Using ShowRaceMenu on an existing character can sometimes reset your character's stats or health/magicka/stamina values. Always create a backup save before editing your appearance mid-game.
Running RaceMenu on Skyrim Special Edition version 1.5.97 requires specific legacy files, as modern updates on Nexus are typically built for version 1.6+ (Anniversary Edition). 1. Essential Download Versions
For version 1.5.97, the latest compatible version is RaceMenu 0.4.16. This version was released on October 4, 2020, and is found in the "Old Files" section of the RaceMenu Nexus Mods page. 2. Prerequisites
Ensure you have the matching versions for RaceMenu’s dependencies: SKSE64: You must use version 2.0.17 - 2.0.20. SkyUI: Any current version (v5.2+) is generally compatible. racemenu for skyrim se 1597 work
Address Library for SKSE Plugins: Download the "All in one (Special Edition)" version from Nexus Mods. 3. Critical Fix: Memory Leak Patch
RaceMenu 0.4.16 has a known memory leak that can cause random crashes after extended play. It is highly recommended to install the RaceMenu 0.4.16 Memory Leak Hotfix to stabilize your game. 4. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Skyrim Special Edition (SSE) version 1.5.97 , you must use RaceMenu v0.4.16
. This was the final version released specifically for the 1.5.x game versions before the update to "Anniversary Edition" (1.6.x). Core Installation Requirements
To ensure RaceMenu works correctly on 1.5.97, you need these exact supporting files: SKSE64 Version : You must use
. Latest versions (like v2.2.6) are for version 1.6.x and will cause crashes. RaceMenu Version : Download Nexus Mods "Old Files" section Essential Plugin : It is highly recommended to install Backported Extended ESL Support to allow your 1.5.97 game to safely load modern mods. Fixing Common "Not Working" Issues
If you have the correct versions but still don't see the RaceMenu sliders: Delete Conflicting UI Files : Navigate to Data/Interface in your Skyrim folder and delete the file racesex_menu.swf
. This file often overrides the mod and forces the vanilla menu. Check Loading Order RaceMenu.esp is enabled in your mod manager (Vortex/MO2) and loads Address Library : Ensure you have the All-In-One (Special Edition) version of the Address Library for SKSE Plugins installed. Safe Usage
Getting RaceMenu to work on Skyrim Special Edition (SSE) version 1.5.97 is a common challenge for players who have chosen to "freeze" their game version to maintain compatibility with older mods. Because newer versions of RaceMenu are built for the "Anniversary Edition" (1.6+), you must use specific legacy files and the correct version of the Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE) to avoid crashes or missing features. Required Versions for 1.5.97 Compatibility
To ensure stability, you must match your game version with these specific mod releases: Skyrim SE Game Version: 1.5.97. If you have landed on this page, you
SKSE Version: 2.0.17 to 2.0.20. Version 2.0.20 is widely considered the most stable "final" version for 1.5.97.
RaceMenu Version: 0.4.16. Any version released after this is generally designed for game version 1.6+ and will likely cause your game to fail on startup or experience broken UI. How to Install RaceMenu for 1.5.97
Download SKSE: Visit the SKSE archive and download version 2.0.20. Install it by moving the files to your main Skyrim SE directory.
Locate RaceMenu Legacy Files: Go to the RaceMenu page on Nexus Mods.
Check "Old Files": Do not download the main file. Scroll down to the "Old Files" section and look for RaceMenu Special Edition v0-4-16.
Install via Mod Manager: Use Mod Organizer 2 or Vortex to install the downloaded archive.
Clean Loose Files: If you previously tried a newer version, manually check your Data/Scripts folder and delete any loose files named CharGen.pex, NiOverride.pex, or RaceMenu.pex to prevent version mismatch errors. Troubleshooting Common Issues
If RaceMenu still isn't working as intended, try these common fixes:
Assuming you want a short descriptive or promotional text about "RaceMenu for Skyrim SE 1597 work" (e.g., a mod/patch update note or compatibility statement), here are three concise variants you can use.
If you want a different tone (technical changelog, promotional, or in-universe flavor text), tell me which and I’ll produce it. The overlay system works by dynamically creating new
To run RaceMenu on Skyrim Special Edition (SSE) version 1.5.97, you must use specific legacy versions of the mod and its requirements. The newer "Anniversary Edition" (AE) versions of these mods are not backward compatible and will cause the game to crash or fail to load the menu. Core Version Requirements
For game version 1.5.97, install the following specific files: RaceMenu: You need Version 0.4.16 (released Oct 4, 2020).
Where to find: Look in the "Old Files" section of the RaceMenu Nexus page.
SKSE64: Use Version 2.0.17 or 2.0.19, which are designated for runtime 1.5.97.
SkyUI: The standard SkyUI SE version 5.2 is required for the interface to function. Critical Fixes for 1.5.97
Memory Leak Hotfix: Version 0.4.16 of RaceMenu has a known memory leak that can cause crashes during extended gameplay. It is highly recommended to install the RaceMenu 0.4.16 Memory Leak Hotfix alongside the main mod.
Backported Extended ESL Support: If you use newer mods alongside your 1.5.97 setup, install the Backported Extended ESL Support mod to prevent crashes related to newer file formats (version 1.71) used by the game's latest updates. Installation Steps
Install SKSE64: Manually extract the SKSE64 files into your Skyrim root folder (where SkyrimSE.exe is located).
Mod Manager Setup: Use a manager like Mod Organizer 2 or Vortex to install SkyUI followed by RaceMenu v0.4.16.
Clean Up Conflicts: If the RaceMenu sliders do not appear in-game, check Data/Interface and delete the file racesex_menu.swf if it exists outside of the mod's archived files, as it may be a leftover from a vanilla-style overhaul mod. Launch: Always launch the game using the skse64_loader.exe. How to Access (SE - 1.5.97) RaceMenu compatability help : r/skyrimmods
Even with the correct file, 1.5.97 can be finicky. Here is a checklist if it still doesn't work:
The official "RaceMenu" mod on Nexus Mods is not natively compatible with the new Anniversary Edition executable (1.5.97). Using the old version will result in an immediate CTD (Crash to Desktop) when you try to open the menu.