Dragon Age: Inquisition
Dragon Age: Inquisition

Bugs & Glitches (Known Issues)

Dragon Age: Inquisition known bugs and glitches. Find workarounds for graphical issues, quest bugs, AI problems, and crashes to ensure smoother gameplay.

Bugs & Glitches (Known Issues)

Dragon Age: Inquisition is a sprawling epic, and with such ambition comes the potential for technical hiccups. While BioWare has released numerous patches, some persistent bugs and glitches can still affect You experience. This section details commonly encountered issues, focusing on quest progression, AI behavior, and critical system functions, along with actionable steps to mitigate or resolve them. Understanding these potential pitfalls can save you frustration and ensure your journey through Thedas is as smooth as possible.

Commonly Reported Bugs and Glitches

The following are some of the most frequently reported issues players encounter in Dragon Age: Inquisition:

  • Quest Progression Bugs: These are perhaps the most disruptive, preventing players from advancing the main story or side quests.
  • AI Pathfinding & Combat Issues: Companions or enemies getting stuck, failing to engage, or behaving erratically.
  • Graphical Anomalies: Texture pop-in, flickering, incorrect lighting, or character model distortions.
  • Inventory & Item Management Glitches: Items disappearing, duplicating, or being unmanageable.
  • Loading Screen Freezes & Crashes: The game becoming unresponsive during loading sequences or crashing entirely.
  • Audio Desync or Missing Dialogue: Sound effects not playing, dialogue cutting out, or voice lines not matching animations.

Specific Quest Progression Bugs and Solutions

Quest bugs can halt your progress. Here are some notable examples and how to potentially overcome them:

The Hinterlands: "The Royal Torment" (Main Quest)

Issue: The objective to "Speak to Lord Seeker Lucius" may not trigger after completing the previous steps, or Lucius may be unresponsive.

Potential Cause: This can sometimes occur if you leave the area prematurely or if a companion dialogue interrupts the intended trigger.

Solution Steps:

  1. Save and Reload: Immediately save your game after completing the preceding objective. Reload this save.
  2. Return to Haven: Fast travel back to Haven and then immediately travel back to the Hinterlands camp.
  3. Clear Nearby Threats: Ensure there are no active combat encounters near the chantry or Lucius's location.
  4. Speak to Other NPCs: Interact with other key NPCs in Haven or the Hinterlands camp before attempting to speak to Lucius.
  5. Re-enter the Area: Exit the game entirely and relaunch it. Then, re-enter the specific area where Lucius is located.

The Hinterlands: "A Friend in Need" (Companion Quest - Cassandra Pentaghast)

Issue: The quest objective to "Find the Templar's Letter" may not update, or the letter itself may not appear in the specified location (a chest in Redcliffe Castle). Alternatively, the quest may not initiate properly.

Potential Cause: This is often tied to the progression of the main questline in Redcliffe, specifically "The Urgency of the Message."

Solution Steps:

  1. Complete "The Urgency of the Message": Ensure you have progressed through the main Redcliffe questline and made decisions regarding the Templars and the Circle.
  2. Revisit Redcliffe Castle: Travel to Redcliffe Castle and thoroughly search all accessible chests, particularly those in the main keep area. The letter is usually found in a chest near the throne room or in the barracks.
  3. Check Your Inventory: Sometimes the letter might be in your inventory but not flagged correctly. Search your quest items.
  4. Quest Log Check: If the quest hasn't appeared, ensure you have spoken to Cassandra about her past and that no other companion quests are actively blocking progress.

Orlais: "The Parliament of Frogs" (Side Quest)

Issue: The quest giver, Lord Arrius, may not appear at his designated location in Val Royeaux, or dialogue options may be missing, preventing quest initiation.

Potential Cause: Timing and progression through the Orlaisian court quests can affect his appearance.

Solution Steps:

  1. Advance Orlaisian Court Quests: Progress through other quests in Val Royeaux and interact with key figures in the Orlaisian court.
  2. Return to Val Royeaux: Leave Val Royeaux and return after completing other objectives or after a significant amount of in-game time has passed.
  3. Check the Garden: Lord Arrius is typically found in the gardens of the chantry in Val Royeaux. Ensure you are searching the correct area.

Troubleshooting Common Systemic Issues

Beyond quest bugs, general technical problems can arise. Here are detailed steps for common issues:

Game Freezes and Crashes

Symptoms: The game becomes unresponsive, either during gameplay, loading screens, or cutscenes, often requiring a force quit or system reboot.

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Save Frequently: This is the most crucial step. Implement a habit of saving every 10-15 minutes, especially before entering new areas, initiating combat, or starting dialogue. Use multiple save slots to have backups.
  2. Update Graphics Drivers (PC):
    • NVIDIA: Visit the NVIDIA website, download GeForce Experience, and install the latest Game Ready Driver.
    • AMD: Visit the AMD website, download the AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition, and install the latest recommended driver.
    • Intel: Visit the Intel website and use their Driver & Support Assistant.
  3. Verify Game Files:
    • Origin/EA App: Right-click Dragon Age: Inquisition in your library, select "Repair," and let the process complete.
    • Steam: Right-click Dragon Age: Inquisition in your library, select "Properties," go to the "Local Files" tab, and click "Verify integrity of game files."
    • Xbox App (PC): Open the Xbox App, go to your game library, click on Dragon Age: Inquisition, select "Manage," and then "Check for updates" (this often includes a verification process).
  4. Lower Graphical Settings: If crashes occur during demanding scenes or in specific areas, try reducing settings like Texture Quality, Shadows, and Anti-Aliasing. Disable features like Ambient Occlusion if necessary.
  5. Disable Overlays: Overlays from Discord, Steam, Origin, or other applications can sometimes conflict with the game. Try disabling them.
  6. Check System Requirements: Ensure your PC meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements for Dragon Age: Inquisition.
  7. Monitor Temperatures: Overheating can cause crashes. Use monitoring software (e.g., MSI Afterburner, HWMonitor) to check CPU and GPU temperatures during gameplay. Ensure your cooling system is adequate.
  8. Clean Installation: As a last resort, uninstall the game, manually delete any remaining game folders in your Program Files and Documents (especially the Dragon Age Inquisition folder in "My Documents\Bioware"), and then reinstall.

Inventory and Item Glitches

Symptoms: Items disappearing from your inventory, items duplicating unexpectedly, or items becoming unusable.

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Save Before and After Inventory Changes: Always save before crafting, selling, or trading large amounts of items. Save again immediately after to ensure the changes are registered correctly.
  2. Sort Your Inventory: Regularly sort your inventory by type, rarity, or weight. This can sometimes help the game re-index items correctly.
  3. Avoid Rapid Item Transfer: Do not attempt to transfer large quantities of items between your inventory and the Skyhold storage very quickly. Do it in smaller batches.
  4. Check All Companions' Inventories: If an item seems to have vanished, check the inventory of every active companion and your party chest at Skyhold.
  5. Reloading Saves: If you notice an item duplication or disappearance, reloading a save from before the incident is the most reliable fix.
  6. Crafting Station Check: If you suspect a crafting material has vanished, check the crafting station at Skyhold, as sometimes materials can get stuck in the crafting UI.

AI Pathfinding and Combat Behavior

Symptoms: Companions getting stuck on geometry, failing to attack enemies, or enemies not pathfinding correctly towards the player.

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Manual Movement: If a companion is stuck, manually move them out of the obstruction.
  2. Use Tactical Camera: The Tactical Camera (accessible via the D-pad on console or a dedicated key on PC) allows you to pause the action and issue precise commands. Use it to reposition allies or target specific enemies.
  3. "Hold Position" Command: If an ally is getting stuck or drawing aggro unnecessarily, use the "Hold Position" command to keep them stationary until you are ready.
  4. Clear Obstructions: Sometimes, small environmental objects can cause pathfinding issues. If possible, destroy nearby barrels or crates that might be blocking AI movement.
  5. Enemy AI: If enemies are not engaging, try moving closer to them or using a ranged ability to draw their attention.

Reporting Bugs

If you encounter a bug that is not listed here or a persistent issue that cannot be resolved with the provided workarounds, consider reporting it. Official channels are crucial for developers to track and fix problems. You can typically find bug reporting forums or support pages on the official Dragon Age website or through EA's customer support portal.