All bugs › Bloodline
Castle Volkihar's gate won't open during Bloodline
What happens
The Watchman at Castle Volkihar won't let you in, so Bloodline can't continue. UESP notes this can happen if you discovered the castle before freeing Serana: she starts the dialogue meant for arriving at the castle right after leaving her sarcophagus, and the gate may then stay shut.
PS5-safe fix
UESP lists two console-free ways past the gate. Stand on the railing and clip through the wall on the right, or hold a large plate against the gate and Whirlwind Sprint into it (the plate glitch). If you can't get in, reload an earlier save, even if you lose progress. If you already slipped into the keep with the sprint glitch and talked to or looted from the vampires there, the gate may not open on a later visit.
Prevention
Don't visit Castle Volkihar before you free Serana in Dimhollow Crypt.
Only known full fix needs a mod. Check which PS5 mods are safe on Is It Bricked?.
Always make a hard save before trying a fix.
Tried the fix and it's still broken? Tell us so we can update this page.
Still broken on my PS5