If you’ve been playing Elden Ring for any length of time, you know that every rune counts. They’re your ticket to leveling up, upgrading gear, and keeping your build on track. But sometimes, a strange and frustrating bug pops up — your hard-earned runes get stuck in the ground. You can see the glowing mark where they should be, but no matter how you approach it, you can’t pick them up. Here’s what’s going on and how to fix it.
Why This Happens
The issue often shows up after dying in certain terrain or near uneven surfaces. If your character falls or dies on a slope, a rock edge, or a glitchy part of the map, the game might register the rune drop location slightly below the visible ground. This can make it impossible to interact with them normally. While it’s not the most common bug in Elden Ring, it’s frustrating enough when it happens — especially if you were carrying a huge stack of elden ring runes.
Quick Fixes You Can Try
1. Reload the Area
The simplest method is to quit to the main menu and reload your save. This often forces the rune marker to respawn in a more accessible position.
2. Trigger Enemy AI Nearby
Sometimes, luring enemies close to the rune spot and letting them interact with the environment can shift collision detection. It’s not guaranteed, but it has worked for some players.
3. Use a Torrent Jump
If the runes are slightly underground but visible, mounting Torrent and performing a double jump directly above them can sometimes force the pickup trigger to activate.
4. Rest at a Site of Grace
Travel to the nearest Site of Grace, rest, and then return. The rune marker might shift to a reachable spot.
5. Accept the Loss and Move On
As painful as it sounds, sometimes the safest option is to let go and farm new runes. Fortunately, there are plenty of farming spots in the game, and if you’re really stuck, you can always buy Elden Ring Items to get back on track without grinding for hours.
Preventing It in the Future
To reduce the risk of losing runes this way, try to avoid risky fights on steep cliffs or jagged terrain. If you know you’re about to face a dangerous encounter, spend your runes first. It’s better to bank them into levels or upgrades than to risk them vanishing into a rock face.
While the bug isn’t game-breaking, it’s definitely a nuisance, especially in a game where every rune can make a difference to your next big boss fight. Keep these tricks in mind, and you’ll have a much better chance of recovering your lost loot.