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FIXED: “Preparing Game” Loop When Launching Sims 4 (EA App / Steam)
FIXED: “Preparing Game” Loop When Launching Sims 4 (EA App / Steam) I want to share this because I spent days troubleshooting this issue and the fix turned out to be simple but completely unexpected. The Symptom Whenever I tried to launch The Sims 4 through the EA App (originally bought on Steam, later reinstalled through EA), I would get the “Preparing game…” window. It would pop up, disappear, come back, disappear again, and then nothing happened. The EA App would stay open on the library screen with no error message or crash report. What I Tried Here’s everything I did that did not work: Cleared the EA App cache multiple times Uninstalled and reinstalled both The Sims 4 and the EA App Verified game files Deleted AppData, Local, and ProgramData EA folders Renamed the Sims 4 folder and rebuilt everything Ran both EA App and Sims 4 as Administrator Updated GPU drivers and reinstalled AMD Adrenalin Installed chipset drivers, DirectX, and Visual C++ redistributables Checked EA Background Service (set to automatic) Rebuilt the missing Sims 4 registry key manually Checked CPU/GPU temps and fan profiles Disabled antivirus and OneDrive syncing Ran DISM and SFC scans Installed all Windows updates None of this worked. EA App kept flashing “Preparing game” twice and doing nothing. The Actual Cause A few days earlier, I had been using melonDS (a Nintendo DS emulator) to play Style Savvy. I manually changed my system date and time to unlock in-game items faster. I forgot to change it back afterward. The EA App uses your system clock to verify authentication certificates and game licenses. If your system date/time is incorrect (even by a single day), the token validation fails and the game silently aborts the launch process. That’s why it looks like it’s stuck on “Preparing game.” The Fix Open Windows Date & Time settings. Turn on Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically. Make sure your system clock shows the correct current time. Restart the EA App and launch The Sims 4 again. After fixing the date and time, The Sims 4 launched instantly with no issues. Summary If The Sims 4 or any EA App game is stuck in a “Preparing game” loop even after clearing cache, reinstalling, or repairing files, check your system clock first. The EA App will refuse to launch games if your computer’s date or time is incorrect.
Do better.
This app has been a nightmare to use since it's launch. I don't understand how a company that has been around as long as EA has could be so inept at designing a simple store. The fact that I can not launch a game I have owned and easily played for 10+ years without having to launch this bulls*t app is absolutely maddening. As someone who is on the go a lot I don't always have access to wifi and the app will not launch on a hotspot. As much love as I have for this game, your trainwreck of an app makes me want to give it up. It's truly unfortunate that this company has been bastardized to this extent and that so many great games are shackled to this atrocity.
refund process for pre-orders is a scam
Hello, i purchased on preorder bf6 via ea app, on the day of the launch i tried to play the game - i spent 1hour in the main menu trying to fix something, download packs - without a success. I immidiately applied for refund and bought fully working game on steam. I went over the period for refunds by 1 day! And how could i know that game would be faulty when i bought game on preorder? From 10.10.2025 no one contacted me on the ticket i created i only saw being updated to "new" status each time. I finally contacted support via sales tab (there is no possiblity to contact via contact for refund topics). I was informed that my refund is not elligable for refund due to the fact that i missed the time to report it (again, by one day and it was due to the fact that game was bought on preorder 15 days ago). I refunded it because of your technical problems not mine, i purchased it on steam and playing without any trouble till this day. Your support is pasting copy-paste answers not giving it any thought. My case no is 224746452, and its not been changed or answered for almost 3 weeks now. Leaving customer who bought game on preorder without option to refund it is SCAM suggesting no one should ever risk buying it via ea app because they will be left without any refund policy even if the game is faulty because of your technical problems.
Regional payment fairness
Hello EA Support Team, I would like to provide feedback regarding the current pricing for in-game content and Battle Pass in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. While the nominal price is aligned with USD pricing, the relative purchasing power difference makes the cost significantly higher for SEA players. For example: Battle Pass price: ~RM47.50 (USD 9.99)Median Malaysian salary: ~RM2,500–RM3,000Cost ratio to monthly income: ~1.6%–1.9% In the US, the same price represents only ~0.27% of median monthly income This results in SEA players paying 5–7 times more relative effort than US players. I respectfully request EA to consider: ✅ Adjusted regional pricing ✅ Periodic localized discounts ✅ EA Play benefit improvements for SEA region ✅ Transparent regional pricing policy communication This would greatly improve fairness, player satisfaction, and long-term engagement in the SEA market. I appreciate your efforts and hope EA will continue to support players in our region. Best regards Platform: PS Region: Malaysiarefund process for pre-orders is not working
Hello, i purchased on preorder bf6 via ea app, on the day of the launch i tried to play the game - i spent 1hour in the main menu trying to fix something, download packs - without a success. I immidiately applied for refund and bought fully working game on steam. I went over the period for refunds by 1 day! And how could i know that game would be faulty when i bought game on preorder? From 10.10.2025 no one contacted me on the ticket i created i only saw being updated to "new" status each time. I finally contacted support via sales tab (there is no possiblity to contact via contact for refund topics). I was informed that my refund is not elligable for refund due to the fact that i missed the time to report it (again, by one day and it was due to the fact that game was bought on preorder 15 days ago). I refunded it because of your technical problems not mine, i purchased it on steam and playing without any trouble till this day. Your support is pasting copy-paste answers not giving it any thought. My case no is 224746452, and its not been changed or answered for almost 3 weeks now. Leaving customer who bought game on preorder without option to refund it is SCAM suggesting no one should ever risk buying it via ea app because they will be left without any refund policy even if the game is faulty because of your technical problems.
Detailed update information in EA App
Hello, Since you guys switched from Steam to Origin I used your app to buy your games. The one thing I'd love to see is a list of updates/patches with details. If that exists already it's not easily noticeable. I understand if you guys are not putting much into the EA app. If you are please consider my suggestion. If not, please allow a way to transfer my library to Steam. If these suggestions are already possible and I'm not aware let me know. Thank you, SB
Sick of the EA App Popping Up After Games
I don't understand why the bloody app pops up after I exit a game. If I had the app open, I would expect it to be open when exiting the game. If I had the EA app closed, I don't want it bloody poppin up in my face when I'm done. So many extra mouseclicks and wasted time. It adds up when you've done it thousands of times. Would really make me happy this small thing. SUMMARY: EA app should be in the state it was in before the game launched when the game has been exited.Can we have the old transfers back like it was for FIFA 23 on all the FCS
can we have the old transfers back like they were on FIFA 23 on FC 25 and 24 we shouldn't have to wait until the end of the season to transfer to another club how many FC games are we going to waste with this kind of career mode we need to change back to like it was on FIFA 23 on all FC games and the ones you will make career mode is a big key thing for FC and EA Sports itself please change it thanks also can we negotiate our contracts on how many years we want to join for and can we have the FIFA Club World Cup in the game too I don't want this rubbish end of the season transfer rubbish on any FC game in the future it's crap and rubbish it kills the game
Returning to Form
EA App is limited in its PC Nativity. Expansion to mobile, dev kits for studios to produce companion apps, long-term persistent player engagementvia para-play & mtx, 10x revenue per project. Thank you, I will accept your offer to serve the Board as EA's next Aide-de-Campe per Chief Strategy Officer. Battlefield was truly great when I could influence the field of battle from my mobile device. Communicating to console comrades from an iPad mini was insane work that we need to see again for a true leg-up on "competition." Battlefield 6 presents the perfect opportunity for a true return to form and inspiration for other studios to follow-suit in supporting mobile companion application experiences that'll captivate attention and maximize shareholder value. Return commander mode to the base or I swearsie to Solomon for realsies that I'll refuse every mtx in BF6; on 550 BFC (BF2042), this I sweat Sincerely, dj tl:dr- push for mobile ea app & nest companion apps from partner studios. or tell me what I missed idk P.S. BF6 is fun and I like playing it. The gunplay's a lil weird but it's alright so far. Stoked to experience a UX/UI refresh once the team's cooked the planned devcycle. Lots of clicks to customize. Can't keep track of the things I can't yet buy for mtx.
Update
I noticed that the length of players socks you barely see the difference between a low socks or normal socks. At least there be very low, low, normal and high socks like real life football. There is also a suggestion that’s been on my mind a very long time and that is the additional minutes or stoppage time. It should not be always 2,1,3.. there should also be 5,6,7 to make it real so far so good the gameplay is better than fc25 and the news faces also we are interested EA please keep up the good work
Battlefield 3 and more missing since EA Play membership ended
My membership ended on 16th September which removed some of my games that I owned for many years like Battlefield Bad Company 2, Battlefield 3, Mass Effect 3, Medal of Honor 2010, Warfighter and more. I only get that notification on EA App please help I already contact support but still waiting.
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