Why won’t the guards stop attacking me in Skyrim?
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.
The guards in Skyrim won’t stop attacking you because you likely have a significant bounty on your head and are armed, or you may have killed an NPC in a crowded area, causing the surrounding non-playable characters (NPCs) to become aggroed and attack you. To resolve this issue, you can try dropping your weapons, paying your fine, or fleeing the scene to avoid further confrontation with the guards.
Understanding the Guards’ Behavior
The guards in Skyrim are programmed to respond to certain actions and situations, including the presence of a bounty on your character’s head. If you have committed a crime, such as stealing or killing an NPC, the guards will attempt to apprehend or kill you. Additionally, if you are wearing faction-related gear, you may be attacked by guards from opposing factions.
Resolving the Issue
To stop the guards from attacking you, you can try the following:
Sheathing Your Weapon
Sheathing your weapon can sometimes cause the guards to stop attacking you, especially if your bounty is not too high. However, if the guards continue to attack, it may be necessary to flee or pay your fine.
Paying Your Fine
Paying your fine is a straightforward way to resolve the issue, but it can be expensive. You can pay your fine by talking to a guard and selecting the “pay fine” option.
Fleeing the Scene
If you are unable to pay your fine or do not want to engage in combat with the guards, you can try fleeing the scene. This can be done by running away from the guards or using stealth to evade them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What happens if I kill a guard in Skyrim? Killing a guard in Skyrim will result in a bounty being placed on your head, and you will be attacked by other guards.
- Can I bribe guards in Skyrim? Yes, if you are a member of the Thieves Guild and have the Speech perk Bribery, you can bribe guards to ignore you.
- How long does it take for guards to stop pursuing me in Skyrim? Guards will stop pursuing you after 3 game days.
- Can I pay off my bounty without going to jail in Skyrim? Yes, you can pay off your bounty by talking to a guard and selecting the “pay fine” option.
- What is the highest bounty in Skyrim? The highest bounty in Skyrim is 1000 gold per hold.
- Can I become Jarl of Whiterun? No, you cannot become Jarl of Whiterun in vanilla Skyrim, but there may be mods available that allow you to do so.
- Will I lose my house in Whiterun if I join the Stormcloaks? No, you will not lose your house in Whiterun if you join the Stormcloaks.
- How do I clear a bounty in Skyrim without jail? You can clear a bounty in Skyrim without jail by paying your fine, bribing a guard, or fleeing the scene.
- Can Thieves Guild pay off bounty? Yes, members of the Thieves Guild can pay off their bounty at a discounted rate.
- What happens if I go to jail in Skyrim? If you go to jail in Skyrim, you will have your belongings taken away, and you will have to serve your sentence.
- Can you fail the defense of Whiterun? No, you cannot fail the defense of Whiterun, as the objective is not scripted to fail.
- Why am I being randomly attacked in Skyrim? You may be being randomly attacked in Skyrim due to a bug or because you have killed an NPC in a crowded area.
- How do I stop guards from attacking me in Skyrim? You can stop guards from attacking you in Skyrim by sheathing your weapon, paying your fine, or fleeing the scene.
- Are there infinite guards in Skyrim? No, there are not infinite guards in Skyrim, but guards can respawn after a certain amount of time.
- Does changing your face in Skyrim get rid of bounty? No, changing your face in Skyrim will not get rid of your bounty. You will still have to pay your fine or serve your sentence to clear your bounty.