I was having this same problem but I figured it out! For me it turned out to be the new EA App. Go to settings in the upper left of the EA App.
Then go to "Application".
I changed two settings under here.
1: Under "Notifications", chose "none" from the dropdown list for "when I'm in a game".
2: Also disable the "in-game overlay".
The launcher should be able to uninstall/install sims3packs again!
Sir, you are a genius!
I have spent more than five hours trying to figure this out with no luck. It has to be said that I also contacted EA Help with no reply at all.
This works like a charm, thank you!
Unfortunately it didn't help me at all... sometimes it works, but if I turn my laptop off and turn it on later, it doesn't work anymore. I heard EA is testing something, and all we can do is waiting till it works again - as far as I know it's gonna take up to 2 weeks... 😬
oh my gosh!! this seems to work great, i'll keep you updated to see if its a permanent fix or not. thank you!!
In my case I can't even download expansion packs... EA app shows error when I'm barely done with downloading the base game
That didn't help for me. It still said the same thing that there are no packages to install. Any other ideas?
I'm happy the fix worked for some of you!
As for everyone else, you have my sympathy! It sounds like a number of you are having problems specifically with installing EA content/worlds. Maybe try logging in with your account at Worlds - Store - The Sims™ 3 (thesims3.com) and redownloading the EA content there and try installing it then. It should remember your purchases. I personally haven't had to uninstall or reinstall any EA content in awhile, and I'll be sure to avoid doing so with the trouble people are having, even with installing the expansions/stuff packs themselves. It all sounds like an EA server issue or something on their side, and like nastuxaxa said, we just might have to wait for them to work their bugs out.
I did what you said and it worked for only a few items. Most of the items I try to install it just freezes and stays stuck on a black screen. I had all my content in my game and played last weekend just fine. Then yesterday, a week later, I went to play and when I loaded my game it said some objects are missing. Then I realized it somehow uninstalled all of my sims 3 store content. I don't know why or how.
It worked for a couple of items but not the worlds even though it shows them as installed. As well as a few sets. Made no difference if coming from my saved stick or from my purchase history.
I noticed that sims3 even with the new app was installed under Origin games still so I uninstalled removed Origin completely and then did another install of 3 letting it install to the new default location. However it still would not download all packs. Sent another ticket to EA.
And now it won't download my Sims2 at all.
I may try over again with Origin or just wait until they have worked all the bugs out. Will keep watching this thread.
@Bluegayle @mycailin Try using the posted fix but also downloading new copies of your store content with a different browser. Firefox has always worked well for me, but if it's not helping here, try Chrome or Edge.
I had a feeling it was the new EA download I have made a few days ago. My game was running just fine up until this point and so I am so relieved someone has figured this out. Bless you. It saved me so much time because I wasn’t going to let it down about figuring this new issue out.
For anyone who can't install store content even with the posted workaround, have you tried clearing Edge's IE cache data? The launcher is programmed to use Internet Explorer regardless of your default browser, and Edge holds that data now. Here's how to clear it (end of the article)
Alternately, if clearing it doesn't help, do you run any programs or tools designed to delete extraneous files? If so, perhaps a file that tells the launcher you own the content is being removed. The workaround would be to not use the tool or disable the program, at least long enough to test.
@MichaelS1990 I have been losing my mind trying to figure this out. You are a lifesaver and I will be naming my first born child after you.
I tried this, but then instead of "There are no packages to install," It was the "Install the Latest Software Update." I have mine on Origin/EA and just switched from Steam today to get my 1.69 update; what my game is currently at now. I switched because I couldn't play with store items, and it seems like I still can't.
@AkaCatt You don't need patch 1.69 for any reason. Really, there's no benefit to it—the game runs exactly the same once it's loaded on patch 1.67. And you're stuck launching through Origin or the EA App and dealing with the pack selector. I'd strongly suggest uninstalling this version and going back to a Steam install.
That worked for me thank you 🙂
Geniusssss!
OMG ILUVU SO MUCH THANKYOU
