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To start Starfield: Shattered Space, make sure the expansion is owned and installed, complete the main-story mission One Small Step, then grav-jump to an orbit without an active mission or encounter. A distress call should lead you to The Oracle, where the expansion begins. You may need to make several eligible jumps before the call appears.
Bethesda recommends level 35 for the best experience, but that is guidance—not a requirement to unlock the DLC. Bethesda Support’s start instructions describe the trigger and troubleshooting steps.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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Starfield Visual Compendium | $36.40 | Buy on Amazon |
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Starfield Shattered Space: Guide complet pour explorer, combattre et survivre dans les confins de... | $19.55 | Buy on Amazon |
Before you try to start the expansion
Having the base game does not automatically mean your account has Shattered Space. Check that the account or storefront you use has an edition or add-on that includes the expansion, and confirm it is installed.
Bethesda lists Shattered Space with the Digital Premium Edition, Digital Premium Upgrade, Physical Premium Edition Upgrade, and Constellation Edition. The Standard Edition is the base game. Bethesda’s September 2024 launch guide said Game Pass subscribers could upgrade to Premium Edition to access the expansion; check your current account entitlement rather than assuming Game Pass access includes the DLC. Bethesda’s Starfield editions page and its Shattered Space launch guide provide the edition details.
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Install and verify Shattered Space
Xbox console
- Highlight Starfield on the Xbox dashboard.
- Press the Menu button and choose Manage games and add-ons.
- Select Starfield and check that Shattered Space is selected and marked installed.
Bethesda says the first featured Shattered Space item in the Creations menu can also take you to its Microsoft Store page to install the expansion. If the DLC does not appear in game management, confirm the console is signed into the Microsoft account/Gamertag that purchased it. Bethesda states that Xbox Family Share does not make this DLC available to other accounts; reinstalling will not resolve an account that lacks the entitlement. See Bethesda’s Xbox installation and entitlement instructions.
Steam on PC
- Open your Steam Library and right-click Starfield.
- Choose Properties, then DLC.
- Confirm that Shattered Space is listed and installed.
The Steam listing requires the Starfield base game on Steam. If redeemed DLC ownership is not showing, restart Steam. If the content is still missing, verify the integrity of the game files using Steam’s game properties. Bethesda’s Steam missing-content troubleshooting covers these recovery steps; the DLC listing is on Steam’s Shattered Space page.
Xbox app for PC
Check the add-on and account in the Xbox app or Microsoft Store account you used to obtain it. Xbox app for PC and Steam are separate storefronts: do not assume a license from one carries over to the other. Bethesda’s reviewed guidance does not confirm a dedicated Shattered Space installation-menu path for the Xbox app for PC, so use the matching app’s add-on management and account details rather than the Xbox console menu path. Bethesda explains how to identify the game version for each platform here.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Trigger the opening mission
- Load your save and finish One Small Step, the introductory mission of the main quest. Bethesda identifies this as a prerequisite for starting the expansion.
- Use the Starmap to grav-jump to an orbit that is not occupied by an active mission or encounter.
- Listen for the distress call. It should reveal The Oracle; travel there to begin the expansion.
The call may not appear on the first eligible jump. Try grav-jumping to other new orbits that have no mission or encounter in progress. Level 35 is Bethesda’s recommended level for the experience, not a condition for the distress call.
If the distress call does not appear
- Create a new manual save.
- Exit the game, then reload it.
- Load the manual save you just created.
- Grav-jump to a new location without an active event.
If the trigger still fails, Bethesda suggests reinstalling the game and stresses that Shattered Space must be installed before you start the game. On Xbox, first make sure the signed-in account actually owns the expansion; on Steam, recheck the DLC entry and use the restart or file-integrity steps above. Bethesda’s troubleshooting instructions contain the full reset sequence.
Quick Recap
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