# How do I open the console commands on my computer? {In Skyrim} **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** video-games-e-games\ **Created:** [March 13, 2023, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112 "2023-03-13T16:24:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/1 "2023-03-13T16:24:43Z")
I’m trying to change some things in a game (Skyrim) and apparently you can do so by opening the console commands. I’ve been pressing the tilde button in the game but no good. ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/2 "2023-03-13T16:32:49Z")
[This link](https://skyrimcommands.com/console-help) describes some other keys it could be and how to check your settings for the proper key. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/3 "2023-03-13T16:42:06Z")
I can’t seem to find the keyboard settings they speak of either.I don’t have arrow keys either so I may have some kind of weird setup. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/4 "2023-03-13T16:46:22Z")
It might be labeled "control settings’ in the game. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/5 "2023-03-13T16:48:58Z")
Are you on a PC, XBox or PS ? ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/6 "2023-03-13T16:51:38Z")
PC. dISCOURSE! ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/7 "2023-03-13T16:57:37Z")
Where is your Tilde key ? Have you tried the “` ¬” key to the left of your “1 / !” key ? ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/8 "2023-03-13T17:27:34Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > Where is your Tilde key ? It’s on the same key as Esc. Not sure about “` ¬”. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/9 "2023-03-13T17:28:18Z")
Since this is about a game, let’s Fus Ro Dah this over to the Game Room. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/10 "2023-03-13T19:16:22Z")
Make sure the ~ key is working. Bring up Notepad or anything really that you can type in. Some keyboards are mapped weird, or you might have something configured oddly in Windows. I’ve also heard that if Skyrim is launched from Steam, there is a bug that can prevent the console from coming up. If you Alt-Tab out of the game then back in, it might work after. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/11 "2023-03-13T19:53:14Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Make sure the ~ key is working. Bring up Notepad or anything really that you can type in. Some keyboards are mapped weird, or you might have something configured oddly in Windows. I just tried Word and no luck. Any idea how to remap my keyboard? ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/12 "2023-03-13T19:56:04Z")
Maybe shift-ESC? FN-Esc? I’ve never seen a tilde on the Esc key. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/13 "2023-03-13T20:08:37Z")
@Love_Rhombus, are you using a mouse or a controller? If the latter, try unplugging it; I’ve run into situations with Bethesda games where the console would not open if a controller is plugged in. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/14 "2023-03-13T20:20:42Z")
Ah! I do have it plugged in! Let me give that a shot. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/15 "2023-03-13T20:20:42Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Any idea how to remap my keyboard? I don’t think Windows can do it natively, but there are third party programs that do it. Even from Microsoft itself, here are two options: > **[How do I reassign hot keys for my keyboard? - Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-do-i-reassign-hot-keys-for-my-keyboard-703f897c-ad72-db5d-8e64-0928873d712f)** > > This article shows you how to reassign certain keys to make it easier to accomplish your daily tasks. > **[PowerToys Keyboard Manager utility for Windows](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/keyboard-manager)** > > A utility that enables you to redefine keys on the keyboard Those are just the top two that show up on a search. I tend to gravitate toward utilities that Microsoft offers if they are available because they are less likely to conflict with some core part of Windows. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/16 "2023-03-13T20:32:18Z")
Escape and anything just takes me to the character/quest/gameplay menu. All in all if I can’t get it to work it’s no big deal-just wanted to change my character’s name without redoing part of the game. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/17 "2023-03-13T21:15:03Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > All in all if I can’t get it to work it’s no big deal-just wanted to change my character’s name without redoing part of the game. There’s a mod that lets you rename anything, including your own character. > **[Jaxonz Renamer](https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/14694)** > > Easily rename anything and anyone in-game. That might work as an alternative to the console. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/18 "2023-03-13T21:25:53Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > It’s on the same key as Esc. Wait - it’s on the same key as Esc? That’s not too common. What sort of keyboard do you have? Could be you need to use a FN or shift key (hold those down first while hitting Esc). But it’ll really depend on your keyboard. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/19 "2023-03-13T21:27:58Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > I can’t seem to find the keyboard settings they speak of either.I don’t have arrow keys either so I may have some kind of weird setup. Do you not have the “Control” option here on the left? [https://stepmodifications.org/wiki/images/3/3d/SCSG\_Gameplay-1.jpg](https://stepmodifications.org/wiki/images/3/3d/SCSG_Gameplay-1.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112/20 "2023-03-13T21:52:24Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > What sort of keyboard do you have? > > Could be you need to use a FN or shift key (hold those down first while hitting Esc). But it’ll really depend on your keyboard. I have [this thing](https://www.bestbuy.com/site/razer-huntsman-mini-60-wired-optical-linear-switch-gaming-keyboard-with-chroma-rgb-backlighting-mercury/6425356.p?skuId=6425356). It also doesn’t have arrow keys. I was easily seduced by the cool light-up keyboards. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-the-console-commands-on-my-computer-in-skyrim/981112.md?page=2)