Arma 3
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Forward Vector Stuck & Free-look bug
By Tuxu -=JeepC=-
Addressing two issues inwhich the player is unable to control ingame character turning movement.
   
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Summary
Hi all, let's keep this short and get you all back into the game!

There are two bugs that people are mixing up so let's clarify things here.

1. VA Transition bug
2. The common Free-look bug.

This guide refers to setting with a QWERTY keyboard!
VA Transition bug
VA Transition bug - Virtual Arsenal is very useful but not fail-proof.
The bug can be described in that manner - In infantry mode your player's movement is limited and your mouse aim can't turn left or right, it feels "locked" to your forward vector of movement, it snaps back forward without turning the player. Keyboard keys that were binded to "turn left" or "turn right" will not work either.
The solution will be to activate "Virtual Arsenal" and close it by pressing the close button.
How does VA Transition bug happens?
This bug happens when VA script neutralizes the controls that allow your player to turn left and right is being activated and fails to get deactivated when VA is being turned off , it is estimated that at times the neutralizing script fails to end while exiting VA. Reactivating the script and allowing it to end correctly should end the condition.
Free-look bug
Mouse movement encircles your player instead of guiding it in the direction you are pointing.
Solved by pressing double Alt (tap Alt twice). Alternatively press the Numpad *.

If these doesn't work go to check your controls key binding under the "freelook" value.

There's another case of this issue when going into Tactical mode by pressing Numped Del once, if the previous solution does not work try pressing Numped Del to toggle back from Tactical mode and into the regular Player Control scheme.

Unlike Forward Vector Stuck - These issues may happen in a vehicle or in infantry mode.
How does Free-look bug happens?
Your game got stuck on free look mode for some reason - it could be a mission script that went wrong, could be a user error, ect.
By pressing double Alt or by pressing * you are toggling Free look mode off or on, as you wish.


Have fun and I'll see you all on the servers!
15 Comments
Covert Turtle 16 Oct, 2024 @ 12:30pm 
can anyone confirm if this solution works? I tried it and even reinstalled ARMA but no progress.
Tuxu -=JeepC=-  [author] 25 Aug, 2019 @ 9:51am 
When the CPU is under some stress ARMA tends to deal with scripts as if they were mere polite suggestions.

When I'll get some free time for it, I will aim to check it and add a solution.

Thank you all for your input!
Nobody 24 Aug, 2019 @ 2:26pm 
However Im having the free-look bug for when im a pilot in aircraft, both helis and planes. I believe I have done everything in the guide correctly to fix it but its still broken. I verified my files and that did nothing so i dont know what to really do. This bug hasn't affected anything else, even the gunner seat of a heli.
Nobody 24 Aug, 2019 @ 2:06pm 
Omar I used to get that bug too and I think i solved it by tabbing out and back in every time it did it - discord was causing it whenever I pressed F5.
Tuxu -=JeepC=-  [author] 21 Apr, 2019 @ 10:07am 
did you go back into Virtual Arsenal and reloaded a saved gear?
did you just open it and then closed its menu?
marselo p90 20 Apr, 2019 @ 2:27pm 
After exiting Virtual Arsenal while playing, SOMETIMES i am not able to turn to left or right anymore. I still can look around while pressing down "alt", but I am not able to keep playing and have to exit the mission.
Tuxu -=JeepC=-  [author] 10 Apr, 2019 @ 11:55am 
@◢◤]Alfa131313 Care to describe the issue in more details?
marselo p90 9 Apr, 2019 @ 7:55pm 
I am suffering from the VA Transition bug but this solution doesn't seem to work :c
Tuxu -=JeepC=-  [author] 28 Dec, 2018 @ 3:10pm 
Tanks, i aim to please.
Also to the head.
härjaren 28 Dec, 2018 @ 8:24am 
Good stuff