Published by: The Commonwealth Chronicle
Reading Time: 7 minutes
In the annals of Fallout 4’s post-launch support, few version numbers have sparked as much discussion, frustration, and eventual grudging acceptance as patch 1.10.163. Released in late 2019 and early 2020 (depending on your platform), this update arrived nearly four years after the game’s initial launch. It was not a content drop like Far Harbor or Nuka-World; instead, it was a foundational shift—one that primarily targeted the game’s modding ecosystem and the then-upcoming launch of the Creation Club’s “Fractured Steel” mini-quest.
For PC players, console modders, and those still wandering the glowing sea, understanding 1.10.163 is essential. This article breaks down exactly what changed, why it broke your mod list, and how to live with—or without—this controversial patch.
Patch 1.10.163 is arguably more famous (or infamous) for its relationship with the Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE) . Because Bethesda changed the game’s executable signature and internal function addresses, F4SE had to be updated. Mods relying on F4SE (e.g., LooksMenu, Place Everywhere, Mod Configuration Menu) broke temporarily.
As a result, a large portion of the modding community froze their game version to 1.10.163 using Steam’s “Stay on this version” option (before Steam deprecated that feature for many games). Even today, many mod guides recommend downgrading to 1.10.163 for maximum compatibility, because:
On PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the patch was less catastrophic but more puzzling. Due to Sony’s strict modding policies, PS4 users saw almost no benefit—Creation Club worked, but the “0 KB bug” (a save corruption error) actually increased in frequency after 1.10.163. fallout 4 patch 110 163
On Xbox One, the patch caused:
Bethesda never released a follow-up patch specifically to fix these console issues. For console players, 1.10.163 was simply “the new normal.”
Patch 1.10.163 was a minor update released in late 2019 (November/December) for Fallout 4 on PC (Steam). It came shortly after the larger Creation Club update (1.10.162) and essentially served as a stability and compatibility hotfix.
As of mid-2026, Patch 1.10.163 remains a cornerstone reference point for the Fallout 4 modding community. While Bethesda has released multiple updates since (including the controversial “next-gen” update 1.10.980 in April 2024, which broke thousands of mods), many players actively use the “Fallout 4 Downgrader” tool to revert to 1.10.163. This patch represents the last time the game was updated primarily for stability and content, rather than for monetization (Creation Club) or console-specific enhancements.
If you encounter a mod that lists “F4SE 0.6.21” or “Game version 1.10.163” as a requirement, it is almost certainly built for this specific patch. Published by: The Commonwealth Chronicle Reading Time: 7
In summary: Fallout 4 Patch 1.10.163 is the definitive "classic" modern version of the game — a stable, well-understood build that modders have mastered, and a historical boundary between Bethesda’s old patching philosophy and the next-generation era.
Positive Reactions:
Negative Reactions (Loudest Voices):
The Verdict: For a vanilla player (no mods) on a new console or PC, 1.10.163 is a fantastic update. For a veteran modder, it is a nuisance that requires a downgrade.
For players on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, this patch is a game-changer—literally. The introduction of native current-gen versions means the game finally runs as it was always meant to run. Patch 1
Patch 1.10.163 isn't the "Next-Gen Update" we’ve been rumors about (that’s still allegedly coming in 2024). It’s just maintenance. It’s Bethesda sweeping the floor of the Vault while nobody is looking.
But in the fragile ecosystem of modded Fallout, even a broom can cause an earthquake.
Stay safe out there, wanderers. And remember: Save often.
Have you updated yet? Did it break your load order? Sound off in the comments below.
Here’s a helpful, concise breakdown of Fallout 4 patch 1.10.163 — a version number you’ll often see mentioned in modding guides and community forums.