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[READ FIRST] Troubleshooting your Game
There are several steps one can take to troubleshoot their own game before seeking help. There are some standard recipes that can help with several game problems. Index Resetting the game to factory settings without reinstalling Keeping your Computer updated Virus protection and Firewalls conflicts Things you can try if you run into a problem within the game EA app gives you trouble Posting a question Known Issues Resetting the game to factory settings without reinstalling Many problems can be pinpointed on custom content or corruption in your user data. There's an easy way to reset your game to factory settings without going through the ordeal of reinstalling the whole thing (Path can be different depending on your OS): Make a backup of theSims4 folder in Documents\ElectronicArts to an external drive or a different place on your harddrive (or to a flash/external drive). This is only a backup if anything goes wrong. You won't need this folder for the further steps. Rename your theSims4 folder in Documents\ElectronicArts to Sims4_Backup Start the game (All your save games will be gone, your options will be reset to factory settings and all your custom content will be gone. Not to worry, it's all still there in that backup folder). You will also temporarily loose your event rewards. Those are saved in the file usersettings.ini. A new Sims 4 folder will have been recreated in your documents\electronicArts folder. Some folders might be missing for they are only created when you need them. You will need to start a new game for your old saves are still gone See if your error is gone. The Error is gone now Starting putting the folders back, starting with your saves. Check your game after every folder. The Tray folder contains all your downloaded houses and Sims that show in your library. AccountDataDB.package file contains the unlocked event rewards. Make sure to copy that back. Only put stuff back from your mods folder that is verified to still work. ALL custom content can potentially cause problems. If you found out which folder is causing problems, put your stuff back in groups or one by one until you find the guilty party. Not all folders need putting back. See this for what folder does what: User files explained Same Error still exists Either make your own post, following the guidelines here: Help us helpers to help you or if you already have one and were referred here, post there. ↑ Keeping your Computer updated Out-dated graphic and sound drivers, missing Windows Service Packs and other components that are not up-to-date can cause problems with your game. Make sure you you update those regularly. Computer maintenance is important. Defrag your Computer, clean your Registry and get rid of temporary files on a regular basis. Also clean the ventilators from time to time and if you have a desktop open it up and clean it inside. Backup your important files. That goes for your music, your photos as well as your Sims User Files. You'll find the user files in Documents\ElectronicArts. Copy the whole folder to an external drive. ↑ Virus protection and Firewalls conflicts They are both very important and no Computer should be without. Nevertheless can they lead to issues. If you have trouble patching or the launcher doesn't work correctly, make sure you tell your Virus program/Firewall that the EA Site is safe by adding Origin.exe, TS4.exe, TS4_x64.exe and thesims.com and Origin.com, as exceptions. ↑ Things you can try if you run into a problem within the game These tips are things you can try if you see any kind of weird behavior in your game. Use the cheat resetsim <firstname> <lastname> to reset a particular Sim in your town. You won't loose any progress, all it does is put the Sim to a safe location from where he can start acting again Restart the game or the computer Go traveling Go to Manage world and move your Sim out of his home and then back into the same one. If you have money troubles, use the cheat freerealestate. Load a backup game. Start a new game to see if the error is only happening in the current save game. Make sure to completely close down your game before starting a different game. Not just go to the mainmenu. Start the game in windowed mode ↑ EA app gives you troubles A lot of issue can be pinpointed on corrupt installations or issues with Ea app itself. Try the following things first: Repair the game through Origin Right-click on the game Choose Repair Game. Reinstall Origin. Deactivate Origin in game ↑ Posting a question If you need help, make sure you post as much information as possible. Include your computer information and info about whether you use Custom Content or mods and what EPs you own. ↑968KViews59likes1CommentMy sims4 game won't start.
I've been trying to get my sims game to start for around an hour now, I've tried everything now - and probably done more harm than good by changing stuff. But I'm getting very frustrated, I just want to play the sims. Installing the sims3 was much easier. Origin either, doesn’t start, and when it does, it won’t let me play the sims. I’ve tried getting it to work many different ways. But it won’t open. Clicking play in origin itself results in nothing. Clicking open on the sims itself results in nothing. Clicking run as administrator results in nothing. I really need help, anyone?SolvedAnonymous11 years ago452KViews151likes68CommentsIssues with opening cheat console
I just want to say, I'm having fun playing Sims 4. It's fun, and I love how my Sims look. I'm just trying to figure out why I can't use cheats. No matter what I do, the cheat window/console won't open for me, and I know I'm pressing CTRL+SHIFT+C. Am I supposed to press them in a certain order? Is anyone else having this problem? Please help, as if I can't use cheats, I may just return the game. Edit By Crinrict: Removed Tag to TitleSolved429KViews63likes239CommentsDirectX 11 (DX11) for The Sims 4 - A Step-by-Step Guide
DirectX 11 (DX11) for The Sims 4 - A Step-by-Step Guide OVERVIEW DirectX 11, abbreviated as DX11, is a set of drivers from Microsoft that enhance visual and audio performance for games. Applying DX11 to The Sims 4 on a compatible PC can result in better performance, smoother animations, and overall improved gameplay experience. Please note that DX11 is not available for PlayStation or Mac systems. In our latest updates we have defaulted players using NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards to Direct X 11. NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards Players using NVIDIA or AMD graphics cards are now automatically set to use DirectX 11. If you had previously opted into DirectX 11 manually, please remove the "-dx11" argument to ensure smooth gameplay. Instructions are provided below. Note: If the "-dx11" argument is not removed, players will not have the option to view or select the DirectX 9 option from the in-game settings. Intel or other graphics cards Players using any other graphics cards, including Intel, will continue to enjoy The Sims 4 on DirectX 9 with an update to DirectX 11 to come at a later date. However if you would like to switch to DirectX 11, please follow the steps provided below. Check DirectX Version To verify that you are on DirectX 11, navigate to the main menu and check the bottom right corner of the screen. DirectX 11 Technical Issues and Feedback Thread For additional info, or to direct issues/feedback, please visit [DirectX 11 Technical Issues and Feedback Thread] Before reporting an issue please ensure that your graphics drivers are fully up to date: AMD Drivers NVIDIA Drivers If you wish to disable DX11 for the time being, please scroll to the end of this page for instructions. Important Reminder: Only scan QR codes from the following sources: The Sims 4 Main Menu in the game client, @TheSims and @TheSimsDirect official X.com channel Do not scan QR codes from the Gallery, forums, or AHQ HOW TO CHECK IF YOUR COMPUTER SUPPORTS DX11 Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type "dxdiag" and press Enter. In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool window that appears, click on the "Display" tab, or “Display 1” tab if you have a multi-monitor setup. Under the "Drivers" section, look for "Feature Levels". If “11_0” or higher is listed, your computer supports DX11. HOW TO ENABLE DX11 EA App & Epic Game Store & Game Pass for PC: Open the EA App on your computer. Find The Sims 4 in your game library. Click on the game advance settings (3 dot icon) above the play button. Select "View Properties". In the "Advanced launch options" box, type "-dx11" Click "Save" to apply the changes. Steam: Open Steam and go to your library. Right-click on The Sims 4 and select "Properties". Under the "General" tab, find the "Launch Options" box In the text field, type "-dx11" Click "OK" to save your changes. Desktop Shortcut: EA App: *Requires Windows Admin permission Right-click on The Sims 4 desktop shortcut and select 'Properties'. In the 'Target' field, add a space at the end and then type "-dx11". Click 'Apply', then 'OK' to save the changes. HOW TO DISABLE DX11 Follow the same steps as above to reach the "Command Line Arguments" box (EA App) or the "Set Launch Options" text field (Steam). Simply delete "-dx11" and save your changes. HOW TO FORCE DX9 If you run into issues launching The Sims 4 on your AMD or NVIDIA card after this update: Follow the same steps as above to reach the "Command Line Arguments" box (EA App) or the "Set Launch Options" text field (Steam). In the text field, type "-dx9" Click "OK" to save your changes. If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, please feel free to ask in this thread. Please be aware that we’re still fine-tuning our DX11 implementation and are aware of some existing issues. Further enhancements are on the way! HOW TO DISABLE DX11 - Through In-Game Options (ONLY players on NVIDIA or AMD graphics cards will be able to see this option) Launch The Sims 4 From the main menu, select Options → Game Options → Graphics In the “Graphics” tab, find the “DirectX 9” checkbox at the bottom right of the menu Click the “DirectX 9” checkbox The Sims 4 will run in DirectX 9 on the next launchEA_Cade2 years agoCommunity Manager358KViews51likes0CommentsSims 4 Stuck on Loading Screen
Hello, Was wondering if you could help me. I have got the Limited Edition of Sims 4 and I have had it since its release date. I have been playing the game just fine up until yesterday but now it just hangs at the loading screen and doesnt let me get the the neighbourhood or any families that i have created. My laptop more than exceeds the specs required to run the game and other than now I havent had any issues running the game. I run the game normally and i get to he Main Menu and I am able to hit the 'Play' button but then it gets to the loading screen and I cannot get any further. It just stays 'Loading' forever, it doesnt look like its crashed so much as the words at the bottom are constantly changing and the loading bar moves around the plumbob repeatedly but its just a never ending cycle at this point. I'd really apprecite it if someone could help me.Solved356KViews50likes91CommentsOrigin is not running message (d3382ced:984c6a38:00000000)... although it is
I got the Sims 4 download for Christmas, and It downloaded, and not it won't launch. I have tried everything. I have uninstalled and reinstalled both the game and origin 3 times, I have cleared files, clean booted, and even attempted to talk to an EA rep, but nothing is working. When something does look like its about to happen, I get the message, "Origin is not running, make sure that it is running before attempting to play the Sims 4", but Origin is running. In my task manager it shows that the game is runnning, but nothing comes up. Also in Origin, it shows that I have played the game "31 hours played" I don't know what else to do! Please help!SolvedAnonymous11 years ago341KViews83likes215CommentsWhere is mods folder for sims 4 in windows 10??
I recently got a new laptop and downloaded Windows 10 on it. I downloaded Sims 4, (I had played it before on other laptops) and I wanted to put custom content in my game, like always. But I searched and I couldn't find the mods folder anywhere in the Electronic Arts/The Sims 4. I also couldn't find the saves folder either. Does anybody else have this problem, know anything about it, know how to help??Solved333KViews23likes34Comments[FIXED] Loading family just loads Map again
Update: If you are facing this issue after patch 1.24.102 (Oct 27th), please take a look to this thread. Update: As this thread has been locked, a new version has been created here instead: http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-4/ISSUE-Loading-family-just-loads-Map-again-PLEASE-READ-FIRST-POST/td-p/4672173 Please visit the new one as it will contain the latest information. Cause This problem isn't as much as a bug but a symptom of a problem that occurs in your game. The game tries to load the household and then hits a problem/corruption and can't load the lot because of that. It then bounces back to the world screen. EA/Maxis has fixed a lot of causes for this since it first started happening but there's still issues around and causes need to be found. It could be something on the lot or a faulty Sim or object. You can either try troubleshooting yourself or upload your save game so EA/Maxis can take a look at it. They might find a cause and fix it in the next update. Outdated mods are a major player in this so if you can't pinpoint your error to a specific save game, it's probably a mod. An other issue with this is that once you have it in one household, it spreads to all others and also other save games if you don't close down the game completely. Going to the main menu will affect other save games. So for troubleshooting, always close down your game and restart before trying something different. Before posting please try the solutions below: Issue with unfinished paintings/broken easel Issue with relationships Issue with pictures of content you don't own If none of the above help, try troubleshooting as below Try loading a backup. Make sure it's not an incompatible mod causing the issue for you. Repair the game or the packs as suggested by BartSimpson249 If you need help narrowing down the issue, zip this folder: documents\electronicarts\thesims4\saves and upload to mediafire or dropbox. Then post the the link. I can't promise to look at all of the but EA is still reading this thread and borked savegames help to reproduce the error. If you are uploading your saves folder, please state which game you have issues with and which family doesn't load or what you're doing. Instructions how to salvage your house and Sims if the game no longer worksSolved275KViews63likes1430CommentsTesting cheats not working, HELP!
Forgive me if this is in the wrong place, I'm very new! I came to this forum for help, turning the cheats on in my game isn't working. I pull.up the cheats menu and type in testingcheats on or testingcheats true and it says something like it's not able to execute that command. I don't have any gameplay mods but I do have some CCs, if that makes a difference. Please help me! Thank you so much if you can!Solved274KViews3likes9Comments{SOLUTION} Sims4 No Sound Bug on Computer/Laptop
Computer/laptop playing audio on everything else besides sims4? Try some of these fixes for this problem! (Feel free to post any other fixes i may have missed) 1. A very common thing that seems to fix the problem is by simply going into the game files and deleting the Config, and Option files. Follow this link to the original place i found it at here --->http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-4/SOLUTION-Fix-for-no-sound-in-Sims-4/m-p/4124823 2. A common but sometimes unknown reason you may not be getting sound from sims 4 or maybe even your pc/laptop in general is out of date drivers. Simply go to windows explorer (windows 8.1 and older) or go to the Cortana Search bar (windows 10) and type in "Device Manager" From there you will find a list of components labeled Accordingly with their icons next to them. Go thru the Ones with an audio icon next to them and make sure they are up to date by right clicking on them (or double clicking) and select "Update drivers" You will be brought up with a prompt that asks which method to find drivers (Either manually find drivers on your computer, or to automatically search for them on your pc/laptop and throughout the internet. i recommend the automatic option as it is the easiest for someone who doesn't know much about computers) Once that is all done, and you have checked all audio drivers; exit out of the manager and procced to run sims. 3. A Not so common problem is your PC / Laptop Muting or not having game and or origin volume up. A fix to the problem is simply Run Sims4 then once it is fully booted up into the menu (good to check in game volumes through the game options menu as good measure) Just tap the windows home button key (hard to miss its the windows logo) and tab out if you are in fullscreen. Next look down in the right hand corner for a icon that represents a speaker Make sure that volume is up. Right click on the speaker and click "open volume mixer" And make sure both Sims And origins volume is up 4. try repairing the game by right clicking on sims in origins and click "Repair" It will automatically verify files and fix and corrupted files. 5. A last ditch effort to fixing no sound is this. Find out what the audio device name is. (simply right click on the speaker icon go to playback devices/Right click on a device and click test until you hear two chimes) Now that you have found out your audio device name (I.E "Speakers (High definition audio device)) go to the device manager (if you don't know how go back to option 2 which is right above) After that you will want to click on the audio icons until you your audio device (I.e Speakers (High Definition Audio Device)) once you have found it. Don't go further, Find out your audio driver and have it ready to be installed. now go back to device manager and hit uninstall. This should take a minute or so, now you wont have any audio at all, so go ahead and reinstall the drivers by going up and doing as mentioned before.. find your audio drivers. an easy way to do this is to do as follows Click on the speaker icon in the bottom right hand corner, click playback devices, go to properties and it should tell you. ( I.E Realtek) Next go up onto the web and search for _______ Audio drivers. (DISCLAIMER: I am not able to take legal consequences if you get a virus or torrent on your computer. YOU are liable for making sure you get the right drives. MAKE SURE IT IS A LEGIT SITE YOU ARE GETTING DRIVERS FROM. MOST IF NOT ALL HARDWARE DRIVERS ARE FREE, YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY.) Now that you have done that and have drivers installed go ahead and try sims and it should work! Thanks for taking the time to go ahead and read my thread! CM - If the steps above do not assist, check out this post (that is toward the end of this thread) with some additional steps!SolvedAnonymous9 years ago267KViews21likes97CommentsMy sims 4 keeps crashing during gameplay!!
This is my last resort before i take this game back!! My laptop is brand new and has all the requirements to run the game. I have to save it every ten minutes at least to ensure that when it does crash i dont lose 3hrs worth of gameplay which has happened a few too many times. It just freezes then a message will come up saying that the sims 4 has stopped working & windows is trying to find a solution but gives me no option other than to close the game. Any ideas as to what it is? I will be so dissapointed if i have to take it back, i have never had this problem with any previous versions of the sims and i didnt even have a decent laptop then! Very frustrating! PLEASE HELP 🙂SolvedAnonymous11 years ago246KViews67likes44CommentsThe sims 4 Cannot start because of missing or damaged data
Hello, I bought The Sims 4 Limited Edition via Origin preorder, downloaded and installed the game via Origin. The game ran ok, but crashed if I played for about 2.5 hours or more, and sometimes didn't allow me to save (I chose Save but no sign of saving, and next time I opened the game all my previous progress was not saved). After the lastest update, game won't start and a notice said like this: Unable to start: Cannot start because the required game data is missing or damaged. Please try reinstalling the game. [85262c58:29f00e76:00000000] I reinstalled the game but the problem is still there, no matter if I open it directly or via Origin. I also tried running Origin as administrator but nothing changed. There has been no change to my computer, the problem appeared after the lastest update only. I am not a computer whiz nor any of my family, my computer is mostly for web browsing, running Microsoft Office etc. so I don't know what may cause the problem, my game has no CC installed as well. My DxDiag info is hereSolvedAnonymous11 years ago243KViews3likes106CommentsCan I uninstall game packs? (Sims 4)
So I want to download the new Sims 4 expansion pack but I don't have enough room on my computer. I was wondering if it was possible to uninstall expansion packs or game packs without uninstalling the full game? I've already tried right-clicking, but there is no option to uninstall game packs. Help appreciated!SolvedAnonymous10 years ago240KViews6likes26CommentsSims 4 Camera Angles
I've been playing for a few days and I'm trying to figure out how to change the camera angle.... Not turn the camera (left or right) but rather 25 degrees, 30 degrees, etc. As I've been playing the game has slowly begun to shift my camera angle to almost 90 degrees (making it so that I'm almost looking straight down on my sims while playing). With all the other sims games, it was relatively simple to change the camera angle and, with this one, I can't even find directions anywhere.... Anyone figure this out?SolvedTroubl15611 years agoSeasoned Novice229KViews2likes35CommentsThe sims 4 install on two PC's?
Alright, I was thinking about buying The Sims 4 and I have been looking for this information all day and would just like a clear answer. I know back on The Sims 3 you had the ability to install the game on 5 different machines, so I am curious if the same can be done with The Sims 4? Also I was wondering that if I can infact install the game to my desktop and laptop would only one of the computers be able to run the game at time? I was thinking that if they let you install on multiple computers like the last game and it's supposed to be an offline game then it should not be a problem running the game at the same time on both computers. But any help will be much appreciated, thank you.Solved217KViews41likes67Comments
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