Skyrim’s Oghma Infinium Glitch: How to Use It In 2025 (PS, Xbox & PC)

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Bypass patch 1.9 and exploit Skyrim’s famous level-up glitch
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The Oghma Infinium is a powerful Skyrim artifact without any extra tricks—and back in the day, players used to use a glitch to max out their character’s level with it. That original glitch is gone after Bethesda’s patch 1.9, but there’s still a (slightly different) present-day glitch that players can try taking advantage of. In this player guide, we’ll show you how to exploit the Oghma Infinium’s infamous glitch and unlock the forbidden daedric knowledge within!

Quick Steps to Use the Oghma Infinium Glitch

  1. Take the Oghma Infinium to an empty bookshelf, then save your game.
  2. Activate the bookshelf and put the Oghma Infinium on it.
  3. Activate the bookshelf again and take the Oghma Infinium off it.
  4. Without closing the bookshelf menu, find the Oghma Infinium in your inventory.
  5. Select the Oghma Infinium while pressing the left and right-hand buttons.
  6. Choose as many upgrade paths as possible (2 to 3) until the menu and book disappear.
Section 1 of 5:

Does the Oghma Infinium glitch still work?

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  1. The glitch was patched in 2013, but it may still be possible to use. Basically, the glitch isn’t a sure thing anymore—some Skyrim players nowadays report getting it just fine, and others say it’s no longer available for them. Patch 1.9 (in 2013) removed the original glitch from the game, but current players report being able to get the glitch slightly differently; it isn’t infinite anymore and can only be used 2 to 3 times. [1]
    • If you’re willing to experiment, you might still be able to get the Oghma Infinium glitch by following this guide. If you can’t get it, it’s likely due to Bethesda’s official patch fix.
    • It’s also unclear if the glitch is available for specific platforms. PlayStation, PC, Switch, and Xbox players all have mixed reviews—some players get it, some don’t.
    • Skyrim players in 2013 were understandably annoyed when patch 1.9 was released since the glitch was an easy way to level up !
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Section 2 of 5:

How to Get the Oghma Infinium Glitch in Skyrim

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  1. Some players report having the best results when using an empty bookshelf, so fast-travel to a home in Skyrim with a bookshelf you can use. If you own a house with a bookshelf, that’s the ideal spot to go. [2]
    • Clear the bookshelf if you have to. You can do this by opening the bookshelf and removing everything on it, minimizing the chances of breaking the glitch.
    • One of the easiest homes to get is Whiterun’s Breezehome. After completing the Bleak Falls Barrow quest, you can buy it from Proventus Avenicci for 5,000 gold.
  2. You can do this by making a manual save or just opening the “Wait” menu, selecting 1 hour , and confirming the waiting period to trigger an auto-save. With your save in place, you can try the glitch—that way, you can reload it if you need to try again.
    • Remember: don’t open or read the Oghma Infinium book before doing this!
  3. Selecting the empty bookshelf will open your inventory; from there, you can scroll down to the Books tab near the bottom of your inventory list and select the Oghma Infinium to transfer it to the shelf. [3]
    • There will also be an option to read the Oghma Infinium—don’t select that just yet. You need the book on the shelf first!
  4. 4
    Activate the bookshelf and take the Oghma Infinium off it. Yes, you’re undoing what you just did—but there’s a purpose. Select the bookshelf to activate it, and then select the Oghma Infinium to add it back to your inventory. However, do not close the bookshelf menu after transferring the book! Keep the menu open (with the bookshelf tab empty) as you go to the next step. [4]
    • PlayStation: Press X to activate the bookshelf and select the Oghma Infinium.
    • Xbox: Press A to activate the bookshelf and select the Oghma Infinium.
    • PC: Press E to activate the bookshelf and select the Oghma Infinium.
    • Switch: Press A to activate the bookshelf and select the Oghma Infinium.
  5. 5
    Activate the Oghma Infinium in your inventory. Scroll down to your inventory and hover over the Oghma Infinium in the Books tab. To trigger the glitch, you’ll actually need to press three buttons simultaneously: the activate button (for your platform) and the buttons that usually control your character’s right and left hands in the game. For each platform, that means: [5]
    • PlayStation: Press X, L2, and R2 at the same time.
    • Xbox: Press A, LT, and RT at the same time.
    • PC: Press E, M1, and M2 at the same time.
    • Switch: Press A, ZL, and ZR at the same time.
    • Once you press the three buttons, hold them until the Oghma Infinium opens and a menu pops up.
  6. You’ll get three different options in the Oghma Infinium menu, each with unique perks. Start by choosing one of the paths—if you’ve done it right, the book and menu won’t disappear. The paths are: [6]
    • The Path of Might - Grants a +5 level bonus to Heavy Armor , One-Handed , Smithing , Two-Handed , Archery , and Block skills.
    • The Path of Shadow - Grants a +5 level bonus to Light Armor , Speech , Pickpocket , Alchemy , Sneak , and Lockpicking skills.
    • The Path of Magic - Grants a +5 level bonus to Destruction , Restoration , Conjuration , Illusion , Alteration , and Enchanting skills.
  7. 7
    Keep choosing upgrade paths until the menu vanishes. Congratulations! If you opened the book and picked a path without the menu vanishing, you unlocked the Oghma Infinium glitch. From there, just select a path from the menu again (the same or a different one) and keep doing it until the menu disappears. Most players can make 2 to 3 successful selections with the glitch.
    • For example, you could try selecting the Path of Magic three times in a row or select each path once—any combination should work!
    • Once you have made all of your selections, you can close out the menu and watch your skill levels increase.
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Section 3 of 5:

Doing the Oghma Infinium Glitch in Pre-1.9 Skyrim

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  1. 1
    Put the Oghma Infinium on an empty bookshelf. If you have an old copy of Skyrim that hasn’t been updated past patch 1.8, you should be able to use the old Oghma Infinium glitch. Similar to the process above, you’ll need to get to an empty bookshelf (ideally at one of your homes). Then, save your game as a precaution in case you need to reload later. [7]
  2. 2
    Activate the bookshelf to access your inventory. Select the empty shelf to open a menu where you can see the bookshelf’s contents and your personal inventory. With the bookshelf empty, scroll down to your inventory, find the Oghma Infinium in the Books tab, and select it to have your character start reading it.
    • PlayStation: Press X to activate the bookshelf and select the Oghma Infinium.
    • Xbox: Press A to activate the bookshelf and select the Oghma Infinium.
    • PC: Press E to activate the bookshelf and select the Oghma Infinium.
    • Switch: Press A to activate the bookshelf and select the Oghma Infinium.
  3. 3
    Choose an upgrade path from the Oghma Infinium. As stated above, opening the Oghma Infinium will cause a menu with three possible paths to appear. Pick the one you want first:
    • The Path of Might - Grants a +5 level bonus to Heavy Armor , One-Handed , Smithing , Two-Handed , Archery , and Block skills.
    • The Path of Shadow - Grants a +5 level bonus to Light Armor , Speech , Pickpocket , Alchemy , Sneak , and Lockpicking skills.
    • The Path of Magic - Grants a +5 level bonus to Destruction , Restoration , Conjuration , Illusion , Alteration , and Enchanting skills.
  4. Without closing the bookshelf menu, press the "Store" button or key to place the Oghma Infinium on the bookshelf. You can close the bookshelf after you see the Oghma Infinium appear on the bookshelf menu. [8]
  5. Select the Oghma Infinium on the bookshelf to open it. Then, press the “Take” key or button to take it off the shelf and put the Oghma Infinium back in your inventory. [9]
  6. To repeat the glitch, just activate the bookshelf menu, open the Oghma Infinium, and select another upgrade path. Then, store the Oghma Infinium on the shelf, and keep repeating the process until you've maxed out your character. [10]
    • Be sure to quick-save intermittently so that you don't have to redo all of your progress if you accidentally break the glitch.
    • Again, this process will not work with modern versions of Skyrim (Special Edition, Anniversary Edition, and any version patched past 1.8).
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Section 4 of 5:

Retrieving the Oghma Infinium in Skyrim

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  1. Still need to get the Oghma Infinium before you can exploit its glitch? No problem! The Oghma Infinium is a reward for working with an eccentric scholar named Septimus Sigmus—but before you can do that, you’ll need to meet the following prerequisites in Skyrim: [11]
    • Reach level 15.
    • Complete the “Throat of the World” quest (which involves speaking to Paarthurnax as part of the main storyline).
    • After you finish your chat with Paarthurnax at the Throat of the World, you’ll get the “Elder Knowledge” quest automatically.
  2. Septimus lives in the world map's upper-left (northeast) corner, north of the College of Winterhold. When you talk to him, he’ll assign you the quest “Discerning the Transmundane”—though the path to reach the Oghma Infinium is identical to the quest “Elder Knowledge” as well. [12]
  3. With “Discerning the Transmundane” or “Elder Knowledge” selected in your quest log, follow the quest log until you’ve received the runed lexicon and used it to get an Elder Scroll from Alftand. Then, return the lexicon to Septimus. As long as you’re level 15 (or higher), returning to Septimus will allow the quest to proceed. [13]
    • You can even start this quest as a sub-level 15 character, but you'll need to be level 15 by the time you return to speak to Septimus Signus.
  4. Septimus will tell you that you need blood from several races to open the lockbox, after which you can proceed with the quest. Do as Septimus says and collect the blood of each race required by selecting the “Harvest” option when looting bodies. [14]
    • The races that you must kill include Orsimer (orc), Falmer, Dunmer (dark elf), Bosmer (wood elf), and Altmer (high elf).
    • You can find all but the Altmer in Liar's Retreat, southwest of Solitude. The closest Altmer can be found in a trap pit in the Halted Stream Camp just northwest of the Whitewatch tower.
  5. As long as you have all five blood types, speaking to Septimus will prompt him to open the lock box, and inside, you'll find the highly coveted Oghma Infinium. Just pick it up, and you’re ready to try the level-up glitch! [15]
    • Do not read the Oghma Infinium when you first get it.
    • You can accept or decline the daedric prince Hermaeus Mora’s offer here—it makes no difference to the story.
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Section 5 of 5:

Frequently Asked Questions About the Oghma Infinium Glitch

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  1. 1
    What is the Oghma Infinium in The Elder Scrolls ? The Oghma Infinium is a powerful daedric artifact belonging to Hermaeus Mora, prince of forbidden knowledge. It was written by a scribe of Auri-El; the book grants readers access to its knowledge and energy, allowing them to gain powers far beyond those of lesser mortals.
  2. 2
    How many times can you read the Oghma Infinium? Only once, normally—but if you’re able to exploit the glitch, you can technically read it 2 to 3 times (even if you still only open it once).
  3. 3
    Can you get the Oghma Infinium back? Normally, no. Once used, it’s supposed to disappear back to Hermaeus Mora’s realm in Oblivion. However, in some cases, dropping the Oghma Infinium right after reading it causes a glitch that lets you put it back in your inventory (and it won’t disappear).
  4. 4
    Can you read the Oghma Infinium in Oblivion ? Yes, completing Hermaeus Mora’s quest in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion will also let you read the Oghma Infinium. The book appears in both games!
  5. 5
    Can you use the Oghma Infinium glitch in Skyrim Special Edition and Anniversary Edition ? Yes, it’s possible to use the bookshelf glitch above in SE or AE—but don’t try the pre-1.9 glitch because it won’t work with an updated game.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Does it work in Skyrim Special Edition?
    Community Answer
    It does not work in Skyrim Special Edition for PS4, Xbox One, or PC. It was patched during development.
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    Not Helpful 23 Helpful 154
  • Question
    I have the PS3 Edition, does this still work in 2016?
    Community Answer
    It has been patched so it's not infinite, but if you spam the bookshelf, you can get it up to 6 or 7 times.
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  • Question
    Do I exit the bookshelf and then reactivate it?
    Community Answer
    No. You read the book while it's in the bookshelf -- not on it -- then, store the book, grab it from the shelf. Then, once it's back in your inventory, read it and repeat all those steps. This glitch will only be infinite on the Xbox 360 edition.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      • If prompted to update Skyrim when you first begin, cancel or decline the update.
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      • If you want to use the Oghma Infinium glitch on a post-1.8 version of Skyrim, you can delete your Skyrim updates and start a new game.
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      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • You can also just read the book on the shelf over and over again. Just don't take it off the shelf!
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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/MnI8QS9klow?t=26
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/MnI8QS9klow?t=26
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/VERlZPp7Qu0?t=17
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/VERlZPp7Qu0?t=22
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/VERlZPp7Qu0?t=22
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/VERlZPp7Qu0?t=22
      7. ↑ https://elderscrolls.fandom.com/wiki/Oghma_Infinium_(Skyrim)
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/MnI8QS9klow?t=66
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/MnI8QS9klow?t=93
      1. ↑ https://gamingexploits.com/working-oghma-infinium-glitch-in-skyrim-2020/
      2. ↑ https://elderscrolls.fandom.com/wiki/Elder_Knowledge
      3. ↑ https://elderscrolls.fandom.com/wiki/Discerning_the_Transmundane
      4. ↑ https://elderscrolls.fandom.com/wiki/Discerning_the_Transmundane
      5. ↑ https://elderscrolls.fandom.com/wiki/Discerning_the_Transmundane
      6. ↑ https://elderscrolls.fandom.com/wiki/Discerning_the_Transmundane

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