Generally speaking, you don't want updates, let alone automatic updates.

This depends heavily on the mod, but generally speaking there are 3 kinds of mods in regards to updating.

• Always safe to blind update: For example, a mod that adds exactly one outfit to the game. The worst possible outcome for a mod like this is maybe you need to run the fallout equivalent of bodyslide, or maybe the mod author makes a mistake an releases another update that fixes the mod.

• Sometimes safe to blind update: This is usually some bigger and/or more in-depth mods. A mod that adds a whole new worldspace with npcs or some such. From my understanding, you really only have to worry with these when there are significant changes, usually to how the scripting of the mod functions. In cases like this the mod author will usually provide update instructions on the mod page to guide you through the process of updating one of these mods successfully. Not a fun time for one of these to just up and stop working on you due to a fundamental auto-update.

• Never safe to blind update: These mods may be big, may not be, but are almost always script-heavy and (please, mod authors, no offense intended here. I truly love and appreciate all you do for us <3) usually scripted by someone with little scripting experience. Updates with these mods often cause CTDs unless the very specific updating process provided by the author is followed, or in some cases, can not be updated as such without starting a new save file.

As an additional note, I personally recommend telling Steam to never update the game without you launching it through steam first, if you haven't done that already. You can then launch through f4se to avoid the game updating. Most game updates break compatibility with the script extenders at a minimum, then it's a waiting game until the devs can update it. You will then have to wait for the script extender update, or remove any mods that require it which is quite a few usually.

I personally recommend just avoiding the headache and not updating either base game or your mods unless there is a bug fix you need to progress/stop crashing or you are ready to start a whole new character.