How to Find Your Lost Followers in Skyrim

Losing a follower in the vast and immersive world of Skyrim is a common frustration for players. Whether they’ve wandered off into the wilderness, gotten stuck on the scenery, or simply disappeared into thin air, recovering your loyal companion can feel like a daunting task. The most reliable method for finding a lost follower is to retrace your steps, especially if you recently gave them a “wait” command. If that doesn’t work, fast travel to a known location; followers usually reappear with you. If those solutions fail, consider the possibility that your follower has returned to their original location, particularly if they waited longer than three in-game days.

Tracing Your Steps: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding Your Missing Companion

Followers are an invaluable asset in Skyrim. They carry your burdens (literally), provide extra firepower in combat, and sometimes offer insightful (or hilariously irrelevant) commentary on your adventures. Losing them, therefore, isn’t just inconvenient; it can be downright detrimental to your progress. Here’s a breakdown of the most effective strategies for reuniting with your lost companion:

1. Retrace Your Steps and Check Waiting Locations

• The “Wait” Command: The most common cause of a lost follower is simply forgetting where you told them to wait. Remember that dark cave you asked them to guard while you looted every last septim? Backtrack there. Pay close attention to the immediate vicinity, as followers sometimes stray slightly from their assigned location, especially when pathfinding issues arise.
• Recent Locations: Start from the last place you definitively remember seeing your follower. Methodically retrace your steps, exploring side passages and checking behind large objects (rocks, trees, ruined walls) where they might have gotten stuck. Skyrim’s vast and often uneven terrain is notorious for trapping NPCs.
• Caves and Dungeons: Followers are particularly prone to getting lost in complex interiors. Ensure you’ve thoroughly searched every chamber and corridor. Remember, they might be engaged in combat with lingering enemies, so listen for sounds of battle.

2. Leverage Fast Travel

• Fast Travel as a Reset Button: Fast travel is your friend. This is the simplest and often most effective method. Select a known location on the map – a city, a town, or even a discovered landmark – and fast travel there. Your follower should automatically teleport with you.
• Consider Interior and Exterior Locations: If fast traveling to an exterior location doesn’t work, try an interior one, like your house or a tavern. Sometimes, the change in environment can “reset” the follower’s position.

3. The Three-Day Rule and Original Locations

• The 72-Hour Time Limit: Followers left waiting for too long will eventually tire of your absence. After approximately three in-game days (72 hours), you’ll receive a message stating, “Your follower tires of waiting and leaves.”
• Returning Home: Upon abandoning their post, the follower will automatically begin the journey back to their original location. This could be their home, a local tavern where you hired them, or a specific quest-related area.
• Knowing Their Roots: Understanding where your follower originates from is crucial. Lydia, for example, returns to Whiterun, specifically Breezehome (if you own it) or Dragonsreach. Other followers have different destinations based on their background.

4. Addressing Common Glitches

• Stuck in the Environment: Skyrim is infamous for its glitches, and followers getting stuck in walls, furniture, or other environmental objects is a common occurrence.
• Combat Lock: Sometimes, a follower might remain in a combat stance, even though all enemies are defeated. This can prevent them from following you properly. Try sheathing your weapon, waiting for an hour in-game, or engaging in another brief battle.
• Console Commands (PC Only): For PC players, the console commands offer a powerful set of tools for resolving follower issues. You can use commands like “prid “ followed by “moveto player” to teleport the follower directly to your location. You can also use the “resurrect” command if your follower has, unfortunately, died. More information on console commands can be found on the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
• Going to Jail: As the article mentions, going to jail can help force your follower to catch up.

5. Preventing Future Disappearances

• Regular Check-Ins: Make it a habit to periodically check on your follower’s location, especially in complex or hazardous environments. A quick glance at the compass or a “wait” command followed by a “follow” command can ensure they’re still with you.
• Strategic Waiting: Avoid telling followers to wait in areas with a high concentration of enemies or in locations that are difficult to navigate.
• Dismissing and Rehiring: If you’re consistently encountering follower issues, consider dismissing your current follower and hiring a new one. Sometimes, a fresh start is all that’s needed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if my follower dies in Skyrim?

Normally, followers in Skyrim are flagged as “protected,” meaning they can only be killed by the player or by a very high-level enemy. If a follower does die, they are permanently gone. However, certain followers, particularly those tied to quests (especially within the Dawnguard DLC), are designated as “essential” and therefore unkillable. Consider loading a previous save if a beloved follower is lost.

2. How do I dismiss a follower in Skyrim?

Simply speak to your follower and select the dialogue option that indicates you wish to part ways. The exact wording may vary depending on the follower, but it typically involves phrases like “I think we should part ways,” or “It’s time for you to go.”

3. Can I have more than one follower at a time in Skyrim?

Normally, you can only have one human follower at a time. However, certain quests or specific perks can allow you to have additional companions, such as a dog or a summoned creature. The Aela the Huntress follower is a good option.

4. How do I find my follower’s ID for console commands?

The easiest way to find a follower’s ID is to open the console (using the tilde key ~) and click on the follower. Their ID will then be displayed at the top of the console window. Alternatively, you can consult online resources like the Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP), which contains lists of follower IDs.

5. What are the best followers in Skyrim?

The “best” follower is subjective and depends on your playstyle. Serana, from the Dawnguard DLC, is a powerful necromancer. Lydia is a reliable early-game choice. Hirelings like Jenassa offer customizable combat styles.

6. Why does my follower keep saying the same thing over and over?

Repetitive dialogue is a common Skyrim quirk. It’s often triggered by specific locations, events, or glitches. Fast traveling, reloading the game, or simply ignoring it are the usual remedies.

7. Can my follower use the weapons and armor I give them?

Yes, followers will equip and use weapons and armor that you give them, provided they are of higher quality than their default gear. Be sure to equip them with items appropriate to their skills (e.g., bows for archers, swords for warriors).

8. How do I access the console commands on PC?

Press the tilde key (~) located below the Esc key on your keyboard. This will open the console window, where you can enter various commands.

9. What is the “resurrect” command in Skyrim?

The “resurrect” command is a console command that can be used to bring a dead NPC back to life. To use it, open the console, click on the dead NPC (or use their ID with the “prid” command), and then type “resurrect” and press Enter.

10. Why do I lose followers on Instagram?

Losing followers on Instagram is a completely different phenomenon than losing followers in Skyrim! Instagram follower count fluctuation typically happens because of inactivity on the platform, or because Instagram removes fake and inactive profiles. The reasons behind losing Instagram followers are typically unrelated to your posting habits.

11. Can followers die from fall damage in Skyrim?

Yes, followers can die from fall damage, especially if they have low health or are wearing light armor. Be careful when traversing steep cliffs or navigating treacherous terrain.

12. How do I heal my follower in combat?

Followers will typically heal themselves using potions or spells. However, you can also heal them directly using healing spells or by giving them potions.

13. Do followers level up with me in Skyrim?

Yes, most followers will level up with you to a certain extent. However, each follower has a level cap, meaning they will eventually stop gaining levels even if you continue to level up.

14. What happens if I attack my follower in Skyrim?

If you attack your follower, they will initially become hostile towards you. However, if you sheath your weapon and stop attacking them, they will eventually forgive you and resume following you. Repeatedly attacking your follower, however, will make them permanently hostile.

15. Can I marry a follower in Skyrim?

Yes, many followers are eligible for marriage. To marry a follower, you must first complete their associated quest (if they have one) and then wear the Amulet of Mara. This can be purchased from Maramal in Riften. Speak to your desired follower while wearing the amulet, and you should have the option to propose marriage.