Fix Path of Glory Bug in Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 continues to captivate players with its sprawling Night City and intricate storylines, but even after major updates like Patch 2.0 and the Phantom Liberty expansion, certain glitches persist. One of the most aggravating is the Path of Glory bug, which disrupts the secret ending sequence. This issue typically triggers during a pivotal moment where V boards an AV (Aerial Vehicle) en route to the Afterlife, resulting in an abrupt ‘Flatlined’ screen and mission failure. For players chasing this elusive conclusion, this bug can feel like a brick wall. Fortunately, community ingenuity has yielded several effective workarounds. This comprehensive guide explores the problem in depth, offers step-by-step fixes, and provides strategies to avoid it altogether, ensuring you reach that hard-earned epilogue.

Understanding the Path of Glory Quest and Its Importance

Path of Glory is a main quest in Act 3 of Cyberpunk 2077, accessible after completing specific prerequisites like ‘(Don’t Fear) The Reaper’ or ‘Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door’ while opting to keep V in their body. It’s the gateway to one of the game’s secret endings, blending high-stakes action with emotional payoff. The sequence builds tension as V prepares for a final confrontation, culminating in an AV ride symbolizing departure from Night City’s chaos.

The bug manifests right before entering the AV. After selecting the ‘Hang on’ dialogue, players experience a cutscene freeze or instant death upon boarding. This has plagued players across platforms since launch, persisting into 2024 patches. Reports from Steam discussions and forums highlight its frequency in Patch 2.01 and beyond, often linked to inventory states, UI interactions, or save corruption.

Primary Workaround: The Menu Cycling Method

The most reliable fix, corroborated across multiple player reports, involves manipulating the game’s menu system to ‘reset’ the AV entry trigger. This method works on PC, consoles, and doesn’t require mods or console commands.

• Step 1: During the dialogue with the contact, choose the ‘Hang on’ option to initiate the AV sequence.
• Step 2: Immediately pause and open the Map screen. Let it load fully, then close it.
• Step 3: Cycle through menus: From Map, tab left to Inventory. Unequip all clothing and accessories for V.
• Step 4: Equip a specific item like the PL Faceplate (found in grenade slot) or any cyberware visible in the Cyberware menu.
• Step 5: Cycle to Cyberware screen, then exit all menus.
• Step 6: Approach and enter the AV. The sequence should proceed normally.

This trick has a high success rate, with users confirming it post-Patch 2.01. It essentially forces a UI refresh, bypassing the glitchy animation state. If it fails initially, repeat the unequip/equip cycle with different items.

Alternative Fixes for Stubborn Cases

Not every instance responds to the standard menu trick. Here are tailored solutions:

Inventory Shuffle Technique

For minor glitches, simply opening Inventory and swapping gear works. Players report unequipping weapons, quickhacks, or consumables disrupts the bugged state.

• Open Inventory before AV entry.
• Remove 2-3 random items (e.g., grenades, shards).
• Re-equip them or swap with others.
• Enter AV.

Console Command for Jacket Issue

A related bug in Path of Glory involves the ‘Take Jacket’ objective failing if looted prematurely from V’s mansion. This blocks progress. PC players can use the Cyber Engine Tweaks mod:

1. Install Cyber Engine Tweaks from Nexus Mods.
2. Open console (~ key).
3. Enter: Game.AddToInventory("Items.SQ031_Samurai_Jacket",1)
4. Proceed with quest.

Console users must reload an earlier save before looting the mansion.

Mod-Based Solutions

For immersion fixes in the Afterlife scene, the ‘Immersion Patch – Path of Glory’ mod from Nexus Mods addresses clipping and animation errors. It’s lightweight and compatible with 2.0+.

Preventing the Bug: Best Practices

Proactive steps minimize risks:

• Save Frequently: Manual save before every dialogue. Use multiple slots.
• Avoid Auto-Saves: Disable if possible during endgame.
• Clear Inventory: Strip non-essentials before quest start.
• Update Game: Ensure Patch 2.1+ installed; CD Projekt RED occasionally hotfixes.
• Platform Tweaks: On PC, verify files via Steam/GOG. Consoles: Clear cache.

Table of platform-specific tips:

Why Does This Bug Happen?

Though unconfirmed by devs, patterns suggest scripting conflicts. The AV entry relies on precise animation syncing with dialogue. Inventory overload, cyberware glitches, or save bloat (from Phantom Liberty) corrupt the state. Patch 2.0 overhauled skills/UI, inadvertently exposing legacy issues. Community data from Steam threads (2023-2024) shows 80% of reports tied to post-2.0 saves.

Community Insights and Updates

Steam forums buzz with successes: One thread from 2023 notes the menu cycle fixed it for 50+ users. Nexus Mods patches target Afterlife immersion breaks. CDPR’s official forums acknowledge similar reports, though no dedicated patch yet as of 2026. Watch for Update 2.2 rumors.

FAQ: Common Path of Glory Questions

Q: Does this bug affect all endings?
A: No, only Path of Glory secret path.

Q: Will reloading work?
A: Sometimes, but menu fix is more reliable than save-scumming.

Q: Mods safe for achievements?
A: Yes, CET is achievement-friendly; remove post-quest.

Q: Console players out of luck?
A: Menu cycle works perfectly without mods.

Q: Bug fixed in Phantom Liberty?
A: Persists in 2.1; use workarounds.

Conclusion: Claim Your Secret Ending

The Path of Glory bug doesn’t have to derail your Cyberpunk 2077 journey. With these methods, most players bypass it seamlessly, unlocking a poignant finale. Experiment if one fails, and share your results in communities. Night City awaits—get V to the Afterlife.