Yes, Vortex has a built-in feature to toggle all mods on or off together
Vortex, the mod manager made by Nexus Mods, includes a checkbox next to the mod list header that lets you enable or disable every mod in your load order with a single click. This is faster than clicking each mod individually, especially if you have dozens or hundreds of mods installed. The feature works the same way whether you're managing mods for Skyrim, Fallout, or any other supported game.
The master checkbox appears at the top of your mod list, to the left of the column headers. One click checks all boxes; another click unchecks them all. Vortex then deploys the changes to your game folder, which takes a few seconds depending on how many mods you have.
Key Takeaways
- The master checkbox at the top of the mod list in Vortex enables or disables all mods with one click.
- Disabling all mods is useful for troubleshooting crashes or conflicts without uninstalling anything.
- You can re-enable mods selectively after disabling all of them, letting you test which ones cause problems.
- Vortex deploys changes automatically after you toggle the master checkbox, so you do not need to manually refresh.
Where to find the master checkbox in Vortex
Open Vortex and navigate to the Mods tab for the game you want to manage. Look at the very top of the mod list, just above the individual mod entries. You will see a row of column headers: a checkbox column on the far left, then Name, Version, and other columns depending on your view settings. The checkbox in that header row is the master control.
Click it once to check all boxes below it. Click it again to uncheck all boxes. The checkbox will show a dash or partial fill if some mods are enabled and some are disabled, which helps you see the current state at a glance.
What happens when you disable all mods
When you uncheck the master checkbox, Vortex marks every mod as disabled and removes them from your game's active load order. Your game will run with only its base content — no mod changes, no added items, no altered mechanics. This is useful when you need to test whether a problem is caused by a mod or by the game itself.
Disabling all mods does not uninstall them or delete any files. They remain in your Vortex library and can be re-enabled at any time. This is different from removing a mod, which deletes it from your system.
Using selective re-enabling to find problem mods
After disabling all mods, you can re-enable them in groups or one at a time to find which ones cause crashes, conflicts, or unwanted behavior. Start by enabling a small batch — maybe 10 to 20 mods — and test your game. If it runs fine, enable another batch. If it crashes, disable half of that batch and test again. This binary search method narrows down the culprit faster than enabling mods one by one.
Keep notes on which mods you enable in each test. Write down the mod names and version numbers, because you may need to report the conflict to mod authors or ask for help in community forums. Some conflicts only happen when specific mods are loaded together, so knowing the exact combination matters.
Why you might want to disable all mods temporarily
The most common reason is troubleshooting. If your game crashes on startup or during gameplay, you need to know whether a mod caused it or whether it is a problem with your base game installation. Disabling all mods answers that question in minutes.
Another reason is testing a new mod. If you add a new mod and your game immediately becomes unstable, disabling all your old mods lets you test the new one in isolation. This tells you whether the new mod itself is broken or whether it conflicts with something you already have installed.
You might also disable all mods before updating your game. Some mod updates break compatibility with older game versions, so running the base game first lets you verify that the update installed correctly before you re-enable your mods.
Re-enabling all mods after testing
Once you have finished troubleshooting, click the master checkbox again to re-enable all mods at once. Vortex will deploy them back to your game folder. This restores your mod setup to exactly the state it was in before you disabled everything — no mods are lost, and the load order stays the same.
If you discovered a problem mod during testing, you can leave it disabled while re-enabling the rest. Simply uncheck that one mod's box individually before clicking the master checkbox to enable all others. Vortex treats each mod independently, so you have full control over which ones are active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disabling all mods delete them?
No. Disabling removes mods from your active load order but leaves all files intact in your Vortex library. You can re-enable them anytime without reinstalling. Uninstalling is a separate action that actually deletes the mod files.
Will my save game work after I disable all mods?
A save made with mods will load without mods, but you may see missing items or broken quests if those mods added content to your save. Test with a backup save first. Starting a new game with all mods disabled is safer for troubleshooting.
How long does it take Vortex to deploy changes after I toggle the master checkbox?
Usually a few seconds to a minute, depending on how many mods you have and how fast your hard drive is. Vortex shows a progress indicator while it works. Do not close Vortex or start your game until the deployment finishes.
Can I disable all mods for one game but keep them enabled for another?
Yes. Each game in Vortex has its own mod list and master checkbox. Disabling all mods for Skyrim does not affect your Fallout mods. Switch between games using the game selector at the top of Vortex.
What if the master checkbox is grayed out or not responding?
This usually means Vortex is already deploying changes or is waiting for you to resolve a conflict. Wait a few seconds and try again. If it stays unresponsive, restart Vortex. If the problem persists, check the Vortex log file in your Documents folder for error messages.