Table of Contents

Why Did Serana Stop Following Me? A Skyrim Companion Conundrum

Quick answer

This page answers Why did Serana stop following me? quickly.

Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.

Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.

Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.

▶

Serana, the Daughter of Coldharbour, is arguably one of the most compelling and beloved companions in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’s Dawnguard DLC. However, even with her complex backstory and potent vampiric powers, she can be prone to the occasional glitch or behavioral quirk that leaves players wondering: “Why did Serana stop following me?” The simple answer is that there are several reasons why Serana might cease to be your loyal shadow, ranging from simple oversights to complex in-game bugs. Let’s delve into the common causes and how to troubleshoot them.

Understanding the Root Causes

Accidental Dismissal: The most common reason is an accidental dismissal. You might have inadvertently told her to “part ways,” perhaps during a hectic battle or while trying to interact with another NPC. In Skyrim’s chaotic interface, misclicks are easily done.
Waiting Too Long: If you instruct Serana to wait in a specific location, she will only remain there for a limited time, typically three in-game days. After that, she will tire of waiting and return to either Fort Dawnguard (if you sided with the Dawnguard) or Castle Volkihar (if you joined the vampires).
Quest Conflicts: Certain quests, particularly those that force a different companion upon you, will automatically dismiss your current follower, including Serana. These quests often override your active follower, replacing them with a storyline-specific NPC.
Location Restrictions: Certain areas within Skyrim, especially small interiors or specific quest locations, may temporarily prevent followers from entering, leading to the illusion that they’ve disappeared. Once you exit the restricted area, they should reappear.
Glitches and Bugs: Ah, the bane of every Skyrim player’s existence. Sometimes, Serana’s disappearance is simply due to a bug in the game’s scripting. These bugs can be triggered by a multitude of factors, making them notoriously difficult to pinpoint.
Quest Progression Issues: Certain stages within the Dawnguard questline can temporarily disable Serana as a follower. For example, during specific quests that require you to venture alone or with a different character, Serana might be unavailable.

Troubleshooting Serana’s Disappearance

Check Fort Dawnguard or Castle Volkihar: This is your first port of call. If you dismissed her or she grew tired of waiting, she’s most likely back at her respective faction headquarters.
Retrace Your Steps: Think back to where you last saw her. Did you tell her to wait somewhere? If so, return to that location.
Fast Travel: Fast traveling to a different location can sometimes “reset” your follower’s position, forcing them to appear next to you.
Go to Jail: It sounds bizarre, but some players have reported that getting arrested and serving a short sentence can “refresh” the game’s follower system, causing lost companions to reappear.
Complete Conflicting Quests: If you suspect a quest is interfering with Serana’s follower status, complete that quest as quickly as possible.
Console Commands (PC Only): PC players have access to console commands that can directly manipulate the game’s state. The command setpqv DLC1NPCMentalModel LockedIn_var False has been known to re-enable Serana as a follower if she’s stuck in a state where she refuses to follow you. Open the console with the ~ key, type the command, and press Enter.
Load an Earlier Save: If all else fails, loading an earlier save from before Serana disappeared can be a drastic but effective solution.

Advanced Techniques & Considerations

Beyond the basic troubleshooting steps, there are a few more nuanced considerations:

Mod Conflicts: If you’re using mods, especially those that alter follower behavior or the Dawnguard questline, they could be the source of the problem. Try disabling mods one by one to see if that resolves the issue.
Unofficial Skyrim Patch: Installing the Unofficial Skyrim Patch is highly recommended for any player, as it fixes a vast number of bugs and glitches that can affect follower behavior.
Serana Dialogue Add-On Mods: Mods that add more dialogue to Serana, or change her AI, can often cause unexpected behaviours. Be aware of any potential issues, before or after you install the mods.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Serana

1. How do I get Serana to follow me again after dismissing her?

If you dismissed Serana and can’t get her to follow you again, first check Fort Dawnguard or Castle Volkihar. If she’s not there, try fast traveling, waiting a few days in-game, or using the console command setpqv DLC1NPCMentalModel LockedIn_var False (PC only).

2. Where does Serana go when not following you?

Serana typically returns to either Fort Dawnguard if you sided with the Dawnguard, or Castle Volkihar if you sided with the vampires. If she’s not there, it’s possible she’s glitched or stuck somewhere.

3. Why won’t Serana follow me in the Soul Cairn?

Serana should follow you in the Soul Cairn, as it’s a significant part of the Dawnguard questline. If she’s not, try entering the Soul Cairn using a different entrance (if possible), fast traveling within the Soul Cairn, or reloading a previous save.

4. How long does Serana follow you?

Serana can become a permanent follower after completing the Dawnguard questline, regardless of which side you chose.

5. Why can’t I marry Serana?

Unfortunately, in the vanilla version of Skyrim, it is impossible to marry Serana. This is due to her vampiric status and lack of implemented marriage dialogue. However, numerous mods exist that allow you to marry her.

6. Can you lose Serana as a follower permanently?

Serana will remain a follower as long as you don’t explicitly tell her to part ways and avoid game-breaking bugs. If you encounter a bug that prevents her from following, try the troubleshooting steps mentioned earlier.

7. Can Serana be a follower after being cured?

Yes, Serana can still be a follower even if she is cured of her vampirism. Curing her primarily affects her abilities (like turning you into a Vampire Lord) but doesn’t remove her as a potential follower.

8. Why did I lose my follower in Skyrim?

Losing a follower can be due to them dying, a bug, or you accidentally telling them to wait and forgetting their location. They will wait up to three in-game days before returning to their original location.

9. What happens if Serana gets cured?

If Serana gets cured, she loses her 100% resistance to frost and poison. She can no longer turn you into a Vampire Lord. However, she will still have Vampire drain even when cured and get creepy jaundiced green eyes.

10. Can Serana turn you into a vampire after being cured?

No, if Serana is cured of her vampirism, she cannot turn you into a Vampire Lord.

11. What race is Serana?

Serana is a Nord, although her appearance may resemble an Imperial more closely.

12. Where does Serana go if you make her wait too long?

If you tell Serana to wait somewhere and don’t return within three in-game days, she will return to either Fort Dawnguard or Castle Volkihar, depending on your faction choice.

13. Can you get Serana back after dismissing her during the ‘Touching the Sky’ quest?

This can sometimes be buggy. Try completing the ‘Touching the Sky’ quest, and her follower options should be re-enabled. If not, the setpqv DLC1NPCMentalModel LockedIn_var False console command may be necessary.

14. Is Serana attracted to the Dragonborn?

While there’s no explicit confirmation of romantic attraction in the game, many players interpret Serana’s dialogue and interactions as suggesting a strong bond and affection for the Dragonborn. It’s a matter of player interpretation and roleplaying. The interplay between narrative and player engagement, as well as understanding character relationships, are topics actively studied at the GamesLearningSociety.org.

15. What to say to Serana to cure her?

To initiate the conversation about curing her vampirism, choose the option “Are you all right?” after completing the main Dawnguard questline. This will eventually lead to the option of convincing her to seek a cure at Fort Dawnguard after her father is dead.

Navigating the intricacies of follower relationships in Skyrim can be challenging, but understanding the common causes and solutions for Serana’s disappearances can help you keep your favorite vampire companion by your side. Happy adventuring!