Forum Discussion
Game license is invalid The app couldn't read the game's license file
edited title for visibility. -puzzlezaddict
- EA_cuervo9 months ago
Community Manager
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?- 9 months ago
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.
- puzzlezaddict9 months agoHero+
@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.
- 9 months ago
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. - kaimoook9 months agoSeasoned NewcomerOpen from EA, the account is correct, but the license is not found.
- ebony23199 months agoSeasoned Newcomer
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 ?
- 8 months ago
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.
- puzzlezaddict8 months agoHero+
@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:
and reinstall through the new Windows account, then try again to play.
- 8 months ago
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???
- puzzlezaddict8 months agoHero+
@LDF3687 I've merged your post with a longer thread about this error. Please see the post immediately above yours.
- purplecookies177 months agoRising Newcomer
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 😢
- puzzlezaddict7 months agoHero+
@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.
- harrysaxon8 days agoSeasoned Novice
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!
About EA app Technical Issues & Bugs
Recent Discussions
- 39 minutes ago
- 3 hours ago
- 5 hours ago