Try turning the auto-oil setting off and back on, then retest an encounter with an oil you actually own. September 30 and October 4 players report this helping temporarily, including a PS5 New Game Plus case. It is a workaround report, not an official permanent fix.
Establish what fails
Keep a separate manual save and record platform, full build, New Game Plus status and active mods. Check your inventory for the appropriate oil rather than assuming automatic application crafts it for you. Use one known enemy encounter for comparison.
Distinguish a missing oil, a setting that does not persist and an owned oil that fails to apply. They need different evidence. Note the blade and enemy type in your report; a screenshot of the enabled setting alone does not demonstrate the combat result.
Test the reported workaround
- Find the setting by its auto-apply-oils label. Menu placement can differ by edition; a current PS5 report places it under accessibility.
- Switch it off, apply the change, then switch it on again.
- Return to the same encounter and inspect the oil state in combat.
- After your next load, check again. Some players report needing to repeat the toggle each session.
If it works only until loading
Record that limited result instead of calling the save repaired. Manual application of an owned oil is the immediate alternative. Avoid dropping valuable equipment as a troubleshooting step.
The official 4.03 notes establish when automatic combat oiling was added, but do not certify this 5.x workaround. The cited thread mentions a Nexus fix without establishing current compatibility; this page does not recommend it for every PC, and PS5 cannot follow a Nexus installation route. If manual application also fails, report that separate symptom with the encounter and save details.
Sources and version limits
- CDPR: 4.03 added automatic oils — Historical feature introduction, not a Remastered bug fix.
- Players: auto oil application — October 4, 2026; temporary toggle and mixed mod advice.
- PS5 NG+ player: oils not applying — September 30, 2026; one platform/save-specific report.
Sources checked October 5, 2026. We have not tested this route on your save or hardware. Follow the stated platform and version limits; reported workarounds are not guaranteed repairs.