Re: Sims 4 - Game License Invalid

Hi @kaimoook, 

Are you trying to launch the game from the EA app or from the desktop icon? 

If you're launching from the desktop, can you please double check which account are you using to login on the EA app?

Every time I attempt to play the Sims 4, it launches with the error that my game license has expired. I follow the instructions and clear caches, but that does nothing. I have uninstalled my game and reinstalled it. I have uninstalled my app and reinstalled and nothing has worked. I am beyond frustrated as every time I attempt to open a case it does not give me the option, only to come to forums. Nothing on forums has worked. Like what am I meant to do.

Sims 4 won't launch and I don't get an error code. I have problems ever since I updated the game to the newest version. I click play, the ea app closes for half a second, then reopens as if nothing happened. No clue what's going on.

Edit, just restarted and repaired the EA app, now I get this fascinating error popup, screenshot attached. If I put my information in, it just reopens the EA app without any difference.

ive been having this issue since i purchased the book nook kit and and the game now refuses to open after being uninstalled reinstalled deleted whole computer pc restart and reinstalled and still wont open its been 3 months now and ive tried to report on ea app it still wouldn't even lodge that ? what do i do keeps saying game license is invalid and to clear cache done that and still no problem resolve ive done the repair ive done everything suggested ? 

@HayleyRob1 @Robin9139 and @ebony2319  I've merged your posts with another thread for this error.  Are you launching Sims 4 through the EA App or through its desktop shortcut?  Please go through the App, and make sure it's fully loaded before pressing Play.

If that doesn't help, click Windows key-R and enter this in the run box:

%ProgramData%\Electronic Arts\EA Services

Move the License folder to the desktop, but don't delete it if you have other EA games you'd like to play.  The folder and the relevant data inside should regenerate the next time you launch one of those games, but if it's not working for Sims 4, it might also not work for other games.

Please also let me know what's in the License folder you move as well as whether it regenerates when you try to launch Sims 4.  There should be one entry for each EA game you've installed on this computer, although they're only sometimes labeled in an obvious way.

Entered, file not found

@puzzlezaddict I did exactly as you told, and I already play the sims 4 through the EA app, but it still gives the same error code.
I also got the same files inside before and after doing this, 1011164.dlf

@kaimoook and @Robin9139  Thanks for checking.  I've flagged this since a few players are currently affected.  I don't know what else to suggest at this point, but hopefully someone will have other ideas soon.

@puzzlezaddict  is there any progress you know of that isn't posted here? It has been almost a week since the last message and the bug is big enough that we all can't play the game whilst a timed event is ongoing. Thank you for anything you can tell us.

@Robin9139  I don't have anything particularly useful to offer here.  I do know that one person fixed the issue by installing a new version of Windows, not just an update but I think upgrading from 8.1 to 10.  Since that's not a feasible path forward for most users, the closest thing I can suggest (short of wiping the system, which is also not ideal) is to run a repair install.  Here are instructions for Windows 10 and 11:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/16397-repair-install-windows-10-place-upgrade.html

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/repair-install-windows-11-with-an-in-place-upgrade.418/

This shouldn't delete any of your data, but if you get to step 13/14 and are NOT asked to keep personal files and apps, back out and start over.

This particular issue has been stubborn, unfortunately, and other users have already tried every other suggestion I made, without success.

@puzzlezaddictthank you for the response. I read through the sites you sent and find them to be a bit intimidating to do if I'm honest. I might test it when a family member better with computers is visiting, but for now I won't risk doing it and making a mistake for something that may or may not fix my game. What is interesting though, is that this suggests that the problem lies within Windows instead of the EA app or the Sims 4. It doesn't make sense when every other game I have works just fine.

Is there any chance of this fixing itself over time, or some kind of work around so I can at least do the event and get the rewards I'm now missing out on? If it is a Windows problem, would starting the game on a different computer work for example?

I fixed it! I removed my mods, saves and screenshots folders, then repaired the game. I should have tried this sooner, but it fixed the game. I will now test if I can add those folders again and will edit this post as I go.

Edit: I added my saves and screenshots folders, it still works.
Edit 2: added the mods folder and it still works!

@Robin9139  I'm glad to hear the problem is fixed.  It's possible EA did something on the back end at the same time, so I wouldn't assume the repair addressed the issue (although it could have), and I wouldn't expect changes to your user folder to have any effect at all.  But the important thing is that it's fixed, not how that happened.

@kaimoook @HayleyRob1 @ebony2319  Please try again to see whether this issue is fixed, and if you still get the error, clear the EA App's cache and repair Sims 4 (again).

https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/faq/clear-cache-to-fix-problems-with-your-games/

Why am I getting this message? I had not played the game in about 6 months. I had to update the game. Then i bought an expansion pack and downloaded it. Then when trying to play to game it suggested uninstalling and reinstalling. I tried repairing the game and clearing cache before hand but message still popped up with clicking play. I then spent another 2 hours reinstalling the game and all 17 add ons. Now it is giving me this message "License Invalid". I tried repairing the EA app and the game again and clearing cache again. This is all it will say. What do I do? Did I mess up by uninstalling? 

I've also tried doing the windows tab + R with the %program% suggestion I read on here and when i go to the Electronic Arts folder to find the license folder someone had suggested doing and copying it to the desktop screen BUT there's nothing in that folder to copy. At a loss. Open to suggestions on how to play Sims4. 

@CheezeWiz09  I've merged your post with a longer thread about this error.  Please try playing in a new admin Windows account.  Repair the game first in that account.  If you get the same error, uninstall Sims 4 and the EA App in your main Windows account, as described here:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/PC/CURRENT-ISSUE-Sims-4-DLC-shows-as-installed-won-t-load-in-game/m-p/12942151#uninstall

and reinstall through the new Windows account, then try again to play.

Currently I'm trying to open The Sims 4 after months without playing it, I'm win7 and tried everything, even trying on the files updating EA app and other stuff but nothing worked, what should I do???

@LDF3687  I've merged your post with a longer thread about this error.  Please see the post immediately above yours.

I’ve seen a few people with a similar issue and I have tried everything suggested with no luck. I have uninstalled the ea app and my sims 4 game which hasn’t helped. Some people suggested moving the game license file but I have followed the instructions and don’t have this file. I have also tried to update my laptop but this hasn’t helped. I can play the sims 3 perfectly fine which I also access through the ea app.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions as I’ve been unable to play the sims 4 for a few months now 😢

@purplecookies17  I've merged your post with a longer thread about this error.  There are a few suggestions earlier in the thread if you want to try them, but no definitive fix.

I have the same issues, running in windows 8, since the latest updates I keep getting an error, that the ea app cannot read the licence, tried every trick as mentioned in this Tring, nothing works! Is this issue finally solved?! Such a waiste of money with all those expensive add ons, and 1 update kills the game!