hi, i was wondering if anybody had any suggestions --i've been playing the sims 4 for at least 7 years now and i've never had an issue. i recently deleted it and origin to free up space, and when i went to reinstall it, i had to install EA app instead. i've been trying for 2 weeks, but now for whatever reason i can't download the sims 4. it's the same device with the same specs, the same account, it shows my logged hours, but it doesn't progress past "preparing". anybody else have this issue or know how to fix it?i've restarted the app, reinstalled it, cleared cache, run as administrator, and followed about 5 "easy fix" tutorials with no luck.thanks! 🙂

i have been battling the same thing for a month, I have spent the last 4 weeks just trying to get past verifying my account through emails with EA, And every day i would do what they would suggest and nothing.Last night i had a thought and i clicked on one of my expansions "Get to work". and in order for GTW to download it needs the base game so it startled to install the base game and then the rest of my DLCs installed with no issue.I hope it works for you as well,

I have Sims 4 with lots of add-ons bought with my account. I used to play it in the past but when I want to download it now on a different machine it's stuck with "Preparing download ..." and actually never starts. I've just tried to download the game with another EA account on exactly same machine, same EA app, and it WORKS - download starts without issues. The machine has EXACTLY the same setup and network configuration is the same. The only thing I did to make it work was to log out off my account and log in with another test account in the EA app. It has to be the issue with my primary account itself - I cannot see any other explanation. I'd expect someone from EA staff to review my account to check what is wrong. Please do not suggest my any tricks with cache clearing, setting UAC on Windows or starting EA app in Admin mode - I've tried all of these described in other threads. Thank you.

Hi @nhrkhrmn, Please try the following steps to clear up this error: Open task manager, locate EA Background Service, and end task Clear the cache for the EA app Run the EA app as an administrator Check for any background applications blocking the EA App Try lowering your User Access Control Settings: Close the EA app Click the Windows button and type "UAC" in the search field In the User Access Control window, click and hold the slide bar —slide it to the lowest setting available Click Okay the bottom of the window Open the EA app client and try starting the download again If this doesn't help, please follow the steps in post #7 here to run an EA Error Report, and provide your Report ID in this thread for me.

I fixed it on Windows 11 doing the following steps. Close the app (taskbar > exit)Task Manager > Processes > End Task: EA Background Service Run (Windows key + R) > %ProgramData%\EA Desktop then delete everything thereRun (Windows key + R) > %AppData% > Local then delete anything that says EA / Electronic Arts / OriginRun EA App as AdministratorAfter preparing for hours i did this and it immediately started to download.

My last two purchases would never pass preparing in the download (One kit and For Rent). I saw your instruction and followed your procedure partially. It worked! Thank you. I did not know where to start.I fixed it on Windows 11 doing the following steps. Close the app (taskbar > exit)Task Manager > Processes > End Task: EA Background Service Task Manager > Processes > End Task: All other EA related processes that were runningRestarted the application and downloaded both as soon as I requested.Going to check it out now!Thank you again, HedyHeartsong

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

65 Replies

digimorgan87
2 years ago
Product: The EA app
Platform:PC
Error Report ID (learn how to create an Error Report ID in the sticky post) Something went wrong. An error has occured. (No error code)
Which client functionality are you experiencing this bug with? Download Game
When did this happen? (dd.mm.yy hh:mm) 31.12.23 07:13
Summarize your bug When attempting to download Sims 4, it gets stuck on preparing download then gives me an error.
How often does the bug occur? Every time (100%)
Steps: How can we find the bug ourselves? Via the EA app, attempt to download Sims 4.
What happens when the bug occurs? The Sims 4 prepares for download then cancels and gives an error.
What do you expect to see? The Sims 4 installing.
‌
I've owned the Sims 4 since before it was free and purchased 5 expansion packs and addons. I've done all troubleshooting advised online and unlinked my platforms.
edeN_exe
Rising Novice
2 years ago
I'm in the same boat. 5 different people all saying the same thing. "run as administrator" and after telling them it doesn't work
"If the troubleshooting are not helping then might be possible there is some issue with the PC compatibility.
There might be other players who've submitted similar feedback or have similar issues so you can check it through this link and also to upvote it."
I'm 41 add-ons deep, 500 hours played. I've had this problem since the 27th and here is a list of everything i have attempted to get it working
Spoiler
- Clearing cache
- Uninstall/Reinstall
- Run as Administrator
- Run in compatibility mode
- Changing UAC
- Not creating a desktop shortcut (as suggested by reddit)
- Changing security permissions to full control
- Enabling and Disabling "allow background downloads" & "update games automatically"
- Limiting download speed
- Allowing exclusions through windows defender
- Adjusting Services properties
- Making sure the files where i'm installing are not Read-Only
- Removing every file associated with The Sims 4
- Perform a clean boot
- Add exceptions to AV & Firewall
- Reinstall Windows
- Delete partitions on HDD & SSD and creating new ones
In case it happens to help. Here's what i'm running.
Ryzen 7 5700x
RTX 2070 MSI Armor 8GB
32GB DDR4 3600Mhz Corsair Vengeance
WD_BLACK SN770 500GB M.2 (Boot drive)
Samsung 860 Evo 1TB (900GB Free space)
WD HDD 1TB (900GB Free space)
Windows 11 23H2 (Debloated myself to reduce space, take up less resources and improve game performance)
anzraeth
2 years ago
Ditto. Bought 6 new packs (2 bundles) and the first simply refuses to install. I've the receipts in my email, the library shows everything (the new ones) as queued, but the download is hung up on "preparing". I restarted the computer and app, but 3 hours later, it's still "preparing". I'm about to contact support for a refund as this is complete horsesh*t.
Carlstejn
2 years ago
Thank you so much, ur a lifesaver!! @justinb113
PumpkinQueen352
2 years ago
I've had this problem too. I found that if I closed the EA app, then opened the task manager on my computer and ended the task there, then reopened EA it would start progressing again. Hope they fix this soon though.

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

65 Replies

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