SimCity 4 Deluxe does not launch or crashes
I solved this issue by locating the SimCity .exe file and changing the compatibility mode of the game to Windows 8.
Instructions:
Since I have the game on Steam, I navigated to the game execut...
Forum Discussion
Hi @craig9670 - I moved your post to its own thread, as the original one you replied in was quite old.
Running in compatibility mode does help; also, set SimCity4.exe to run "As Administrator" and make sure it's added to any antivirus exception lists.
The game was built back in 2003, so it can have issues running under our new systems, especially utilizing more than one processor core. To fix, there are a few command line switches you can use to force it to play nice. Hopefully this will get the game back to running on your system. Close out of the game - make certain SimCity 4 is not running any processes (you might want to reboot your pc, just to make sure).
- In Origin, right-click the SimCity 4 icon. Choose Game Properties > Advanced Launch Options. In Steam, right-click the SimCity 4 icon. Choose Game Properties > Set Launch Options
- In the Command Line Arguments box type
-d:soft -intro:off -CPUCount:1 -f -CustomResolution:enabled -r1920x1080x32
- -d: soft sets rendering to software mode
- -intro:off skips the intro video
- -CPUCount:1 sets the game to use just 1 core
- -f sets the game to run in full screen mode (use -w for windowed mode)
- -CustomResolution:enabled -r1920x1080x32 sets the resolution to 1920x1080 at 32 bit color. (you can set this to match a resolution supported by your monitor, up to 1280x1024x32)
- Choose Save to save the command line switches
- Exit the Game Properties and try SimCity 4 again
These are the most common switches used. You may not want or need the screen mode or resolution settings. Hopefully, the software rendering and forcing the cpu count to only one core will fix the crashing. Skipping the intro video can also help, since they usually play in a different resolution and cause issues. 🤞
Hope this helps! Happy Building!
I tried doing what you said here but I do not see the options that you are telling me to fo to. I have Windows 11. Also, it is not Origin anymore, just EA. I found the exe file, but I don't see the options for launch properties or an Arguments box. I tried compatibility with Windows 8, but still doesn't work. I just want to be able to play on my new computer
edit; found the box in the EA App, input everything. Tried other suggestions mentioned on here. still nothing and now doesn't even start. There has to be a fix for this.
Your mileage may vary and I am not smart at all, just persistent but here's what's working for me after some messing about:
-Non Steam version of SimCity 4. Literally loaded it fresh today from scratch and dropped in all my saved Regions and a TON of mods
- Windows 10 Enterprise '22H2', 32GB, Nvida RTX A1000
- Right click on the the Sim City 4 shortcut in my Task Bar>Shortcut>Target:
"C:\Program Files\EA Games\SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition\Apps\SimCity 4.exe" -d:soft -intro:off -CPUCount:1 -f -CustomResolution:enabled -r2560x1080x32
(I got a 35" LG monitor, so my resolution may not work for all folks, tweak the #x#x# as needed)
- In the EA app (had to move from Origin myself since I just got a new laptop) I've got nothing in Manage>View Properties... but then again I launch it from a shortcut in my Task Bar pointing at Shortcut>Start in: "C:\Program Files\EA Games\SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition\Apps"
You sir or ma'am are a genius!
This worked on my Surface Laptop 5 - i7 (12th Gen)!!
Thank you so much!
