Failed to update due to permission error and Failed to create folder

@Zmias1  This error is typically antivirus-related, so please set an exception in yours for EADesktop.exe.  Set exceptions for TS4_x64, TS4_DX9_x64, and TS4_Launcher_x64 as well, or the entire Bin folder they're in.  You can also try repairing the game rather than updating it.

If this doesn't help, disable your antivirus, temporarily, and try again.  As long as you don't do anything else at the same time, your computer should be safe.

But I never had this happen before and I've always had antivirus protection on.

If so, how do I disable my antivirus protection?? You mean, completely, Uninstall it?? 

@Zmias1  Sims 4 updates all the time, and an antivirus that "knew" the game was fine a month or a year ago might not recognize the executable file after it changed.  AVs also update and sometimes add more robust protections, which can flag processes that were previously ignored.

At any rate, I'm not suggesting you disable your antivirus right away, only if setting the exceptions doesn't help.  How to do it depends on the AV you use—some will offer an option to disable real-time protection, while others might need to be reinstalled entirely.  In any case, the software should have instructions on its support page.

I tried adding the app as an exception with my AV. Then, retried to update. Now says, Permission Error. With a red triangle. 

@Zmias1  Try again with the AV temporarily disabled, AND while installing to a new location.  Create a new folder for this purpose on the root level of the drive of your choice.  For example, C:\Games is fine, but not C:\Program Files\Games.

Thanks. But unfortunately, I am not tech savvy at all and have no idea what that involves. I did go into the AV to enable EA app to function as an exception. I also went under EA app properties to make sure "full permission" control was allowed under user. Then, restarted pc and app. But still same problem. I'm hoping someone will contact me soon from EA help. Keep in mind, in the six years I've had game, this never happened so maybe it's some other issue.

@Zmias1  This could be another issue, sure, but most of the time it's antivirus-related.  I still think it's worth temporarily disabling the antivirus to make sure it's not contributing.  If you don't know how to do that, let me know which program you use and I'll try to find you some documentation.

Creating a folder is simple: you open the location where you want it to be, and you right-click the blank space and select New Folder.  To see the drive itself, you can open a File Explorer window, click This PC in the left panel, and then possibly scroll down a bit until you see the drive(s) listed.  Double-click one to open it.

Okay. Though EA Chat thinks it's something else and suggested uninstalling and installing game. But wouldn't I lose progress and have to start all over? No one seems to have a simpler solution and can't find anything about this issue online or videos. Btw, I have norton AV.

@Zmias1  Uninstalling and reinstalling could help temporarily even if this is antivirus-related because an AV will often block a program the second time it's launched.  It's also possible you wouldn't be able to reinstall the game at all, depending on the exact cause of the issue.

Norton is usually fine but occasionally does have issues with Sims 4.  You can temporarily disable its protection and repair the game, as a test, but remember to reenable protection afterwards, and don't do anything else on your computer at the same time.  Here's how:

https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/v116457581

Btw, this is what I see on my screen and when I click to un-pause and continue the update a second time, I just see a red triangle saying permission failed or error. see attached.