Image source: GSC Game World
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an immersive experience, but bugs can sometimes break the flow of gameplay. One frustrating issue players have encountered is the inability to sprint. If your character refuses to run despite not being over-encumbered, this guide will walk you through the best ways to solve the problem and get back to exploring the Zone.
First Step: Rule Out Encumbrance
Before diving into fixes, double-check your inventory. Over-encumbrance prevents sprinting, but it’s not a bug—it’s a feature. To verify:
- Open your Inventory.
- Check the weight meter at the bottom of the screen.
- If the meter isn’t red, you’re clear to proceed with troubleshooting.
If you’re still unable to sprint, try these solutions:
Fix 1: Check Your Control Settings
Sometimes, the issue is as simple as misconfigured key bindings. Follow these steps to ensure everything is set correctly:
- Open the Settings menu.
- Navigate to the Controls section.
- Review the key bindings for Sprint.
- If the key has changed, reassign it to your preferred button.
- Optionally, assign Sprint to a different key to test if the bug persists.
Fix 2: Adjust Lean Settings
If your sprint functionality is still broken, tweak the Lean settings:
- Head to the Settings menu.
- Look for the Lean option in the Controls section.
- Change the Lean setting from Hold to Toggle.
- Assign Q and E for left and right lean, respectively.
- Test sprinting to see if this resolves the issue.
Fix 3: Restart the Game
If the above fixes don’t work, restarting the game often resolves temporary glitches. Here’s what to do:
- Save your progress and exit to the main menu.
- Close and relaunch STALKER 2.
- Repeat the Lean setting adjustment after restarting.
A Temporary Solution
While these fixes should restore your ability to sprint, be aware that they’re likely temporary until GSC Game World releases a patch. Keep an eye out for updates and official fixes to ensure smoother gameplay in the future.
