Re: can't download the sims 4, stuck on "preparing".

@abstaaarrrr  I would suggest uninstalling Sims 4 with Revo Uninstaller (the free version is fine) and starting fresh.  If you have any saves or other user data you want to preserve, go into Documents > Electronic Arts and rename the Sims 4 folder to something that doesn't include "Sims 4."  That way, Revo won't flag it for deletion.  Uninstall the EA App with Revo too while you're at it.

Restart your computer, reinstall the App, and create a new folder on your external drive where you'll install Sims 4.  Name it whatever you like, just not "The Sims 4," which might confuse the App.  Let me know if you still have this issue when installing the game into the new folder.

Hiya, thanks for your reply. I've just followed your steps and gone to redownload. It's currently stuck on preparing.

@abstaaarrrr  I don't have any other suggestions, and this may be an account issue, unfortunately, although there's no way to confirm that on the user side.  You can try contacting EA customer support, but I don't know that that would help either.

I've merged your posts with the master thread for this issue to at least keep all the information in one place.  You can skim the thread for any other useful info—there's no reliable fix for everyone, but perhaps one of the suggestions will work for you.