Reinstalling is the last step, not the first. Work through how to fix damaged skin barrier in the order given and the reinstall almost never becomes necessary.
Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing. Start with the simplest option before touching anything that is hard to reverse.
The short answer
Nine times out of ten this is a cached file, a stale setting or an update that half-applied. Clear those three first.
Check these first
Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. A full restart is not the same as closing the window, and the difference matters here. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing.
Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. Check whether the service is down before spending an hour on your own machine.
Fixes that require more patience
Nothing below requires mods, paid tools or an account on some sketchy site. Start with the simplest option before touching anything that is hard to reverse. There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing.
- Back up your save if the game gives you the option.
- Check the version you are running before following any step-by-step advice.
- Write down what you changed, so you can undo it if the result gets worse.
- Test one change at a time instead of five at once.
When it is not your problem at all
The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing. Anything marked optional really is optional, so skip it without guilt.
People often blame the game when the actual cause is a setting they changed weeks ago. If it broke right after an update, the update is the suspect until proven otherwise. If you are short on time, the first section alone is usually enough.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Changing several settings at once, then having no idea which one helped.
- Skipping the preparation step because it looks boring, then repeating the hard part four times.
- Following a guide written for an older version and assuming nothing moved.
- Trusting a video thumbnail over the actual patch notes.
Frequently asked questions
Will reinstalling fix it?
Sometimes, but it is slow and it hides the cause. Work through the checks above first; reinstalling is worth trying only after they fail.
Could a mod be causing this?
Very likely, if you have any installed. Disable all of them, confirm the problem is gone, then re-enable in batches.
Is there a faster method?
Usually yes, and usually it is riskier. The route above trades a little speed for a much lower chance of having to start over.
Bookmark this if you expect to look up how to fix damaged skin barrier again after the next update.