No matter what I do to my load order or what files I select the only one that actually loads is the main esm file. I've tried everything--reinstalling, launching the game directly through the exe, editing the .ini file to manually add to mods to the load list, chcking permissions on the .ini and fame folder, and lastly using FOMM. Nothing works. What is making the game flat-out refuse to load mods?

Stupid question: Have you tried enabling the mods via the "Data Files" Option?

You mean on the launcher? Yes I have, it doesn't work.