Sul sul! For many Sims players, mods — whether it's a "bugfix" or a new window style or a complete new kind of gameplay — have become important to how we play The Sim. While ultimately we players are responsible for our own mod use, Maxis understands that our mods matter to many non-console Simmers' gameplay, so this part of the Answers HQ forums is here for your fellow Simmers to help you get playing again when, inevitably, a game update "breaks" some mods and CC (more on why that can't be prevented below). NOTE: Before asking for support, check my Broken/Updated Mods thread pinned in Game and Mod/CC Issues for lists of "broken" (outdated), obsolete, and updated gameplay mods and custom content. Also, Support in this forum assumes that you are fully patched to the latest Sims 4 update. Index Introduction Tips and Tricks for Mod Users at Update Time — including how to find what "broke" Current Mod-Related Issues Other AHQ Resources Broken/Updated Mods and CC – pinned in Game and Mod/CC Issues – including links to previous threads for even more catching up How to Use Mods/CC The Sims 4 Bugs — for when it turns out your problem wasn't because of a mod Common Game Fixing Mods - Hero Approved Troubleshooting Your Game — beyond mod-hunting Introduction If you've come to this thread, it's probably for one of two reason: [1] you use game mods or custom content (CC) and something went wrong in Sims after the game updated or [2] you use game mods or custom (CC) and you heard that you should do something at game update time. Mods (game mods and CC) aren't created by Maxis — they're created by Simmers, who tie into The Sims 4 game code. When the game is updated, the code that gets updated is going to be the code that some mod out there "talks" to, which means that mod can "break";. A mod that uses code that almost never changes will almost never"break". A mod that uses code that gets changed a lot will need updating often. This is nobody's fault: it's just how mods and games work together. So how does this affect you as a player who uses mods? An outdated mod (one that's fallen behind the code it relies on) can cause you problems. It might only result in last exception (LE) error files and not seem to do anything in your game. It might make parts of the game inaccessible or really weird looking. It might make a save permanently unplayable, especially if you've saved when you exit. It might stop the game or your save or a household opening at all. So here you are! This thread is here for support in handling your mods after the most recent game update, to help you solve mod problems that come up (and give you extra guidance on what some commons mod-related problems are right now), and as one way for players and modders to pass on news about mods.

Hi @newbygg . The reason for no links is that this forum has rules that the previous one doesn't. When there's a mod that isn't easily findable by a basic Google search - which every Simmer who can access here can do - I add further information to make sure your search lands you in the right place. I get that it takes you more time to do searches, but it's saving me time that I was in desperate need of. I'll be frank: I was seriously considering quitting the lists entirely, and I really doubt I'd have kept them going past this next EP if it hadn't been for the suggestion that I move them here. Saving the time means that I've been actually been able to play the game again recently without having to take that time away from increasing family responsibilities. The list isn't a burden now. Your alternative to taking the time to search for a mod now, instead of having links provided to you, is that there would no longer be a list that EA could send Simmers to (this list operates within Maxis guidelines). The time savings isn't only from not posting links. It's also because other aspects of posting are faster here. Plus I can set up posts in advance so I don't have to restrict the intro and summary lists to 5 posts total; together with the thread being only my posts, that's make it much more manageable. So what have I done with that time? Partly, I've been able to do mod testing to get reports out sooner. or get out at all (for, say, mods reported broken on Mod the Sims but the creator is inactive). I've also begun testing MTS-posted mods Simmers reported broken where the creator is inactive, then adding a comment so Simmers coming in will know if the mod is actually broken or not (many actually aren't). And i'm now doing some support at AHQ, focusing on people having issues with mods and CC. The list is also easier to use here for Simmers in some other ways: One, you can actually follow the list to get notifications sent to you, and that system has been broken on the other forums for years, and never did send you email notifications. Simmers can now get the updates when I post them without having to come hunt for them. Two, AHQ doesn't go down nearly as often as the other forums. Three, it's best practice for support to keep all aspects of support in one place, and that includes the lists that EA was sending people offsite to. Four, Simmers who do come here just for the lists and are trying to catch up (because they choose not to get the email notifications) can pick up where they left off and read through the news without anything BUT news being there. tldr: The links aren't permitted here. The notification system works here. And the time saving for me means the list still exists at all.

@newbyggI mean its not that hard to copy & paste in Google …Yes, of course it was more easy on the Sims forum but honestly it’s not that big of a deal to do a little bit of work and find the Mod on google. I mean, a lot of people only downloading and using mods without reading the instruction so now I think you have double to look and search and read before using a mod.And Luthienrising done it for years and honestly the sadest moment was when I was reading she couldn’t even play with infants because of that.So moving the list was the best for her - yes at the beginning it was something new because we was used to have links and everything but now i got used to it and it’s fine 🙂)

@luthienrising I‘d like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for everything you do here! I only stumbled across your posts on the forum this year and before I always had to troubleshoot myself and well.., I didn’t know much about proper mod management and it was so stressful it took all of the fun out of it for me. ☹️And of course every change is weird at first but personally I find having your reports here on AHQ much easier. Especially because I have noticed since the last update that you report DAYS before the creators themselves do on their patreon (guess because of bulk updates and further testing etc). anyways I‘m not afraid to update my game anymore, I have no problems with mods and can focus on playing the game itself and enjoying it! And my tip to everyone is to just keep a list of all links to the mods you use in a document. That way you literally just have to check here for updates, open your document and click on the links to get to your mods. Of course you can also google but I like to have organized lists lolThat’s what I used to do before too but without @luthienrising reports I was spending hours searching on creators sites for updates because some mod was broken (and I didn’t even know which one) 😢now it takes 5-10 min max checking here & updating everytime before I play. 🙂

CurseForge downloads are often not up to date. They lag behind the creator's Patreon page by several days. If you can, please take a look to see *when* your download was created to make sure that the piece is actually updated.

@luthienrising Deleting the file localthumbcache and double checking that I didn't have a duplicate copy of UI Cheats Extension somewhere (which I did) worked for me! :D Thank you, my sims is back to normal now

Mod and CC Issues Discussion and Support: 1.102, Oct. 31, 2023 Game Update

138 Replies

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luthienrising
Hero+
2 years ago
Tips and Tricks for Mod Users at Update Time

Before Sims Updates

Because some outdated ("broken") mods can actually corrupt your save file, before you let the EA App update your game, back up your Saves folder. If you aren't sure when an update might come out, you might want to get in the habit of doing this regularly.

"Backing up" a folder or file means making a copy of it in a different place. You'll find your save files in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Saves. You can copy that whole folder to somewhere else — your desktop, say, or a different folder you make yourself, like Documents > Sims Backups. Now you'll have a pre-patch copy to fall back on in case you run into serious problems.

It can be very tempting to just set up a syncing app, like OneDrive or iCloud, to sync your Documents folder online as a way to back up your saves. Don't do this. The Sims 4 and syncing programs hate each other. You'll run into whole new problems, including things like the app undeleting mods you deleted.

It can also be very tempting to rely on a mod manager to handle your mods folder for you. Mod managers from sources that aren't working with Maxis (CurseForge is one that does) can also cause you more problems than they fix by doing things like renaming files (so that you end up with duplicates eventually) or putting back files you deleted. The best way to manage your mods is generally to take the responsibility for it.

One way of taking that responsibility is to have an organized Mods folder. If you don't have a lot of mods, you can ignore this. But if you download mods manually or have a lot of mods (in which case, download them manually!), having subfolders that organize by, say, the name of the creator can help you when you're doing a 50-50 (more below) or hunting for a mod that needs to be deleted or replaced. Added tip: If you use the CurseForge app, don't move the mods it downloads.

After Sims Updates

Many patches change enough in the game to trigger it to turn off the setting that lets the game "see" your Mods folder. If you save like that, everything that those mods effect — your Sims' hair, their kitchen cupboards, their careers and aspirations, their height, etc. — will be stripped from that save and need to be put back in by you. You don't want that. But you also don't want to have that save corrupted unexpectedly by an outdated mod.

So, after the game update,

DON'T delete your Saves backup. You might still need it.

Check to see if mods you use have been reported "broken" (outdated) or obsolete (for example, a bugfix mod that's no longer needed) so you can remove those or wait for them to be updated.

Check to see if mods you use have been updated. Some modders will update very quickly. Others need more time for various reasons, all of which are absolutely okay — the update might be complex, they might prioritize more popular mods than what you use, they might be very busy with other responsibilities, they might be unwell. Please give them space. Too many modders have quit modding because they were tired of being asked "Are we there yet?" by impatient players.

If you really want to play now but mods you use aren't updated yet, consider making a new save that doesn't rely on the outdated mods. (Select "New" on the Sims 4 home page. If you have multiple saves after this, you can use "Load" to pick out the one you want to play next.)

If you do play your "old" save that relies on mods or use it to test a mod, don't save if you haven't re-enabled mods. To re-enable mods, head to your Settings, under Other. But keep that backup of your Saves folder!

When Problems Happen

If you use mods, someday problems will happen, especially if you use a lot of them. Of course, not all problems after game updates are caused by outdated mods! So this section includes a test for that.

Check to see if mods you use are known to be outdated or have been updated. This applied to all mods — both game mods and custom content. Yes, your Sim's eyelashes can break the whole game! Delete the old mods and replace with updated ones, after checking for new installation instructions. Delete obsolete mods. Delete outdated mods that haven't been updated. Often this is enough to solve your problem. If not, keep going!

Check if the symptom you have is commonly mod-related for this patch or a recent patch. You'll find some info about this in the next post.

Test whether the problem was caused by Mods. This is called testing "vanilla". To do this, exit the game (if you have cookbook-type mods, delete plates and food.). Go to Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4. Drag your Mods folder to your desktop, or cut (NOT copy) and paste it. Now delete the file called localthumbcache. Restart Sims 4 and check to see if the problem is still there. If it's not, it was probably caused by outdated mods. Either way, exit without saving. (Extra tip: Sometimes deleting a mod and localthumbcache isn't enough to make a problem go away in a save. You can test a new save as well.)

So, now you seem to have, somewhere in that Mods folder, an outdated mod that isn't on the "Broken/Updated" list. Isolate the outdated mod. One way to do that is to do a "50-50" of your mods folder.

How to "50-50" Your Mods Folders

To figure out which game mod or piece of custom content is causing problems, you can test mods in increasingly small batches, systematically.

Move your Mods folder to your desktop, and delete the localthumbcache file from Electronic Arts > The Sims 4. Start Sims 4 then exit.

Make a test copy of your original Mods folder on your desktop. You'll use the test copy for the 50-50 so that you don't lose the organization of your original folder.

Divide your folder up into batches. You might not need to do much for this step depending on how your Mods folder is already organized.

Some mods depend on other mods to work. That might be a CC mesh or a mods like XML Injector or a core library mod. Make sure those dependencies are with the mods they depend on in each batch. Otherwise, a mod might seem to not work, but it could just be an installation error.

Start with one batch. Copy it into the new Mods folder the game made. Try it out. Is it all okay? If yes, delete it from Mods, delete localthumbcache, and drag that batch to a folder for cleared batches.

If a batch fails, divide it up. Somewhere in that failed batch is a problem. Separate it into smaller batches and test those separately. Remember to keep track of what's already tested and what isn't, and keep deleting localthumbcache. Test these sub-batches and keep making them smaller to narrow down the cause of the problem.

A 50-50 won't always work. It will, for example, miss issues that aren't a result of a game patch, like duplicate files, mod conflicts, missing dependencies, having mods you don't have required packs for, having multiple "flavors" of a mod when you have to choose only one, and wrong mod installation. However, while you're doing the 50-50, you might notice some of these issues, and it's a great opportunity to make your Mods folder better organized for next time.

An additional note about cooking mods: Some of these have very particular instructions for removing them. Consider removing your Saves and doing any 50-50 testing on a new save or new household if you weren't able to follow those instructions before mod testing.

Still Stuck?

This thread is here to help! You can also start a new thread in this forum. But please be descriptive: To help you, we need to know what symptoms you have in your game and we need to know what steps you've taken to try to isolate the problem.
luthienrising
Hero+
2 years ago
Current Mod-Related (and Similar-Looking) Issues

New Issues This Patch

Symptom: ~~Game crashes to desktop when saving a room to the Library~~ This should now be fixed. From SimsDirect: "If you're still seeing crashing when saving to library, try entering text into the description. If that still doesn't help, let us know."

Symptom: Reward Trait is still available to be purchased after being purchased

Symptom: UI in CAS is glitched for Occults

Symptom: Holidays are missing on the calendar for some household members

Known Causes: These are NOT mod issues. Head over to AHQ Bug Reports to "me-too" the bug reports.

Symptom: UI issues in Live mode at the bottom right

Known Cause for 1.102: Outdated UI Cheats Extension (weerbesu). An update is available.

Symptom: Can't exit CAS, can't save to Library/Gallery

Known Causes for 1.102: Outdated Color Sliders (thepancake1 and MizoreYukii) and 15 Clubs Per Sim (King Zace). Updates are available for both.

Older Issues

The issues listed here are mostly for mods that don't yet have updates. Keeping mods updated will help prevent many issues. Consider catching up on mod news if you've been away from the game for a while. Some other, less common symptoms are listed with mods known to cause them in the current Outdated/Updated Mods thread.

Symptom: Cooking UI is empty; Sims can't prepare meals

Known Causes: Outdated versions of Color Sliders (thepancake1 and MizoreYukii), 15 Clubs Per Sim (King Zace). Updates are available.

Symptom: Sims can't put food in oven or refuse to cook; a last exception file might be produced

Known Causes: This is NOT mod related. It's caused by the DHD Standard Gas Oven from Blazin' Ladles. Replace the oven or download the thudner1183's bugfix mod. Don't try to place the oven in Build/Buy; it can become much fussier to delete.

Symptom: Simple Living and grocery shopping don't work. Ingredient requirements don't work. New categories for cooking aren't available. Cooking remains possible, though.

Known Causes: various cooking mods, including Srsly's SCCO

Note: Some cooking mods require that you delete food and plates before removing the mod to prevent more serious errors.

Symptom: Aliens (and possibly other Sims) are missing their heads

Known Causes: various outdated CAS default mods, especially eyelash mods

Note: Check default CAS mods for updates and alternatives

Symptom: Horses don’t appear in the relationship panel

Known Cause: No More Relationship Culling by Neia

Note: Other mods are available to replace this one

Symptom: Horse interactions not available

Known Causes: various outdated mods, including PlantSim Inheritance v1-A, Be a Little Serious

Symptom: Sims can't ride horses

Known Causes: mods for belly size, mods for pregnancy walk

Symptom: Sims Infants gameplay fails

Known Causes: Fixed Nyx's Enhanced Aliens, Children can live alone after all elders died

Note: There are likely other outdated mods with this symptom

Symptom: Lot fails to load for Live mode gameplay

Known Causes: noextramoneyonpromotion (Bienchen); outdated versions of Meaningful Stories, SNB-Bills

Note: This can be caused by game bugs and by outdated mods, especially complex script mods (mods that include a .ts4script file). The error message is important. Test without mods before posting a thread; include a screenshot of the error message. Note also that in some cases, that household will have become corrupted and you'll need to go back to an earlier version of the save.

Symptom: Game stuck in loading

Note: No known single cause; try a 50-50

Symptom: Sim profile (in Live mode) broken

Known Cause: AD(H)D trait by FiendMods

Note:When a custom trait is removed, Sims will lose the trait and not be automatically given a new one.

Symptom: Male Sims are invisible

Known Cause: Various sliders

Note: These mods can be removed without your Sims' shape changing. Many have replacements available.

Symptom: Sims arms and legs stretch or disappear, and other Sim glitching in Live mode

Known Cause: outdated height sliders

Symptom: Food stall and Festival vendors only sell produce

Known Causes: Custom Food stalls, playable NPC jobs

Note: Possible permanent corruption if you load a save with broken food stalls. Make sure to update any food stalls before playing or remove them before updating.

Symptom: No beds can be placed in Build/Buy mode

Known Cause: outdated CC beds

Note: Find replacements or batch-fix in Sims 4 Studio. If Maxis adds a new function to beds again, working CC will not be available until Sims 4 Studio is reupdated to include that function in a new batch fix.

Symptoms: Sims won't eat; Sims reset when doing homework

Known Cause: outdated CC, including phone mods

Common Issues at Game Updates

Some mods are especially sensitive to game updates. Most of these mods that you can temporarily play without with no harm done to your save. They are also generally quickly updated, so watch for those updates!

Symptom: Blank icons and UI glitching in the CAS, Build/Buy, or Live mode UI; Main Menu and the Gallery showing "wwwwwwwwww" instead of text; Build/Buy GUI missing

Known Causes: Color Sliders (thepancake1 and MizoreYukii), 15 Clubs Per Sim (King Zace), UI Cheats Extension (weerbesu), Better BuildBuy (TwistedMexi), More Columns in CAS (weerbesu), CC wrench icon mods, and other mods that change the UI

Note: Playing without 15 Clubs Per Sim may result in Sims losing club memberships. UI Cheats Extension generally isn't the cause of CAS glitching.

Symptom: All color options are broken in CAS. Color does not change.

Known Cause: More Columns in CAS (weerbesu)

Symptom: The Gallery won't load

Known Causes: Color Sliders, 15 Clubs Per Sim

Symptom: World map has overlying text

Known Causes: UI Cheats Extension, Better BuildBuy, and other mods that change the UI

Symptom: When trying to load a new world, only a white screen is shown

Known Cause: T.O.O.L Mod (TwistedMexi)

Symptom: X on an accessory is missing in CAS

Known Cause: More Columns in CAS

Symptom: The mouse cursor has weird icons

Known Causes: various CAS mods
rebecca8707
2 years ago
Product: The Sims 4
Platform:PC
Which language are you playing the game in? English
How often does the bug occur? Every time (100%)
What is your current game version number? 1.102.190.1030
What expansions, game packs, and stuff packs do you have installed? werewolves my wedding stories vampires toddler stuff strangerville spooky stuff spa day snowy escapes seasons realm of magic parenthood paranormal stuff outdoor reatreat nifty knitting my first pet movie hangout modern luxe kit little campers kit laundry day stuff kids room stuff island living home chef hustle stuff holiday celebration highschool years growing together get to work get famous fitness stuff everyday clutter eco lifestyle dreamhome decorator discover university dine out country kitchen cottage living cool kitchen stuff city living cants and dogs bust the dust blooming rooms bathroom clutter
Steps: How can we find the bug ourselves? n/a
What happens when the bug occurs? i cant see the needs and the events
What do you expect to see? everything back to normal visually
Have you installed any customization with the game, e.g. Custom Content or Mods? Yes
Did this issue appear after a specific patch or change you made to your system? Yes
Please describe the patch or change you made. i just updated the game 10-31-2023
‌
i have tried taking my mods and CC out and i still get stuff not showing up in the needs and household sections at the bottom of the game and when events pop up they are weird looking
luthienrising
Hero+
2 years ago
Hi @rebecca8707 . Looks like you still have UI Cheats Extension in your Mods folder. Remove that and delete localthumbcache. If you still have a problem, please let me know! You can watch or subscribe to the Broken/Updated Mods thread for update news.
LuvMySimz
Seasoned Ace
2 years ago
Hi @luthienrising - I just want to leave a quck update on my issue with SCUMBUMBO's "Unlisted Phone Numbers" mod.
I talked to a few people in my online friend circle who also have this mod installed and also use the Mod "Functional Wall Phone" by awingedllama which I also have. It seems that these two mods conflict with each other. They removed the wall phone and the issue was solved for them. So I tried that too and removed the wall phone and sure enough, If I take it out, then there are no LE's, but together I get the LE as mentioned in the other thread. So it's an issue between those two phone mods. Just thought to let you know.
AkiAkiTH
2 years ago
To Whom It May Concern,
After Stream app updated 1.102.190(October 31) today, i was buy ECO Life pack after all complete downloaded. i do restart laptop and access to game running to update new package Eco and accept Mod as normal. but once click access to family sims, I can't see all icon functions complete work 100%. please see as attached file.
after that i do restart again but its not resolve it.
i need your help on this .
luthienrising
Hero+
2 years ago
Thanks, @LuvMySimz ! And that probably solves another issue I saw yesterday. Somewhere someone said awingedllama's phone was broken, and I downloaded it to test but didn't get around to it yet. I'll test it alone just to be sure.
LuvMySimz
Seasoned Ace
2 years ago
@luthienrisingyes, on my search I came across a post from AWL that if you don't have the echo pack, it can give LE's also. But on her download page it does not say that its needed. Maybe she/he sould add that info so ppl who don't have the pack would know until there's an update. I can't tell her/him because I'm not a social media user for personal reasons.
crinrict
Hero+
2 years ago
@AkiAkiTH Make sure your mods are updated for the current patch or remove them

I merged your thread with the main mods thread so please check the first posts for more info.
AkiAkiTH
2 years ago
Thank you so much Crin. its works.!!!! i deleted mod UI Cheats Extension v1.38 all works