How to Fix Blast Power Not Working in Saints Row 4

In Saints Row IV, superpowers elevate the gameplay to exhilarating new levels, turning your character into a one-person army. Among the most iconic of these abilities is Blast Power, which allows you to unleash a devastating projectile to freeze, mind-control, or burn enemies based on the element equipped. However, encountering issues where the Blast Power doesn’t work can be frustrating, especially during missions that rely on superpower usage. Fortunately, there are known solutions to fix this problem, and this guide will walk you through each method step by step.

TL;DR Summary

If your Blast Power isn’t working in Saints Row IV, the issue could stem from a glitch, a disabled power, missing element selection, or corrupted game files. First, check if your character has the power unlocked and equipped. Restarting the game or verifying file integrity can also resolve the issue. If nothing works, mods or saved game corruption may be the root cause, and you’ll need to take advanced troubleshooting steps.

Common Causes of Blast Power Malfunction

Before searching for complex solutions, it’s important to understand the root causes of why your Blast Power might not be functioning as expected. Here are several possible reasons:

• Glitches after mission completion: Some powers may become temporarily unavailable following certain story missions or activities.
• Element not selected: You may have Blast unlocked but haven’t selected an elemental type, rendering it ineffective.
• HUD display issues: Occasionally, the user interface may not show correct information regarding your equipped powers.
• Corrupted save file or conflicts with mods: Using mods or unstable game files can lead to missing abilities or faulty behavior.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

1. Confirm That Blast Has Been Unlocked

First, verify if you have actually unlocked the Blast Power. You’ll gain access to this ability during the main storyline mission “The Real World.” If you’ve skipped side content or used a custom save, this power might not be available yet.

1. Open the Powers menu.
2. Navigate to the Blast tab.
3. Check whether the icon is grayed out or active.

If it’s grayed out, continue playing through the main campaign until you unlock it. Trying to enable it prematurely through mods or save editing can cause instability.

2. Check Elemental Configuration

Once unlocked, the Blast Power won’t work unless you assign an elemental type such as Ice, Fire, or Mind Control. To assign or change an element:

1. Open the Powers menu from the main interface.
2. Select the Blast power.
3. Choose an element (e.g., Freeze Blast, Fire Blast, etc.).

Attempt to use the Blast Power again in-game by pressing the mapped key or button (usually F on PC or LB + B on consoles).

3. Restart the Game

Saints Row IV is known to occasionally glitch, especially after long play sessions. A simple game restart can sometimes resolve temporary conflicts within the game engine.

Steps:

• Save your game manually.
• Exit to the main menu, then close the game entirely.
• Relaunch and reload your save file.

After restarting, test Blast Power again and check if it’s registering in combat.

4. Rebind Your Superpower Key

Keybinding conflicts or controller discrepancies might be preventing the Blast Power from activating. If you’re using customized controls or mods that alter input behavior, this step is absolutely necessary.

1. Navigate to Options > Controls.
2. Locate Blast Power Activation under the Superpowers section.
3. Rebind it to a simple, unused key (e.g., G).

After rebinding, test the keybind in-game to see if the power activates.

5. Verify Game File Integrity (PC Only)

Corrupted or missing files can cause superpowers to behave unreliably. Steam users can easily verify game integrity as a fix:

1. Open Steam, go to your Library.
2. Right-click on Saints Row IV and select Properties.
3. Navigate to the Installed Files tab.
4. Click Verify integrity of game files.

Once the process completes, relaunch the game.

6. Remove Mods Temporarily

While mods enhance Saints Row IV, they can also introduce compatibility issues, especially those that alter the UI, controls, or progression logic. If you’re using mods:

• Navigate to your Saints Row IV installation directory.
• Temporarily move any .vpp_pc or custom script files to a backup folder.
• Launch the game in vanilla mode (no mods) and test the Blast Power.

If the power starts working again, you’ve likely found the culprit. Gradually reintroduce mods to isolate which one is causing the issue.

7. Sync with the Gateway

Some users have reported that manually syncing with the Gateway after unlocking a power can fix unresponsive abilities. To do this:

1. Visit any Gateway Access Point in the city.
2. Enter the Gateway and interact with power management stations.
3. Re-assign the Blast Power and element within your safehouse.

You’ll also find opportunities to upgrade your powers here, which sometimes triggers internal resets that refresh the power’s functionality.

8. Clean Save File Rerun

If none of the above methods resolve your issue, your save file may be permanently corrupted. In such cases, try loading an older save or:

• Create a new save and play until you unlock the Blast Power again.
• Avoid skipping cutscenes during the mission where it’s introduced—doing so has been linked with occasional bugs.

This may feel frustrating, but some corrupted state flags cannot be undone. Starting fresh ensures a stable experience with all mechanics functioning correctly.

Additional Tips to Prevent Superpower Glitches

Glitch prevention is just as valuable as fixing the problem itself. Here are long-term best practices for avoiding issues with Blast Power and other abilities:

• Always save before major missions to create rollback points.
• Avoid conflicting mods that modify game physics or progression logic.
• Keep the game updated via official platforms like Steam or Epic.
• Do not use cheat codes related to power progression unless you’re willing to risk instability.

Conclusion

Blast Power is integral to enjoying the full sandbox chaos of Saints Row IV, and not being able to use it can seriously hinder gameplay. The fix may be as simple as selecting an element or as complex as dealing with corrupted files, but following the systematic steps outlined above should help you pinpoint and solve the issue. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned meta-pro, keeping your game clean, updated, and free of conflicts ensures that your superpowers stay as powerful as intended.