EA app not giving a download directory

@R3tr0R3dux  That's the wrong install location: you've selected the folder for the EA App itself, not the EA Games folder where the App normally installs games.  Please uninstall Sims 4 and the EA App using Revo Uninstaller (the free version is fine).  Restart your computer, install the EA App, then install Sims 3 to the default location:

C:\Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 3

Note that you won't need to change anything or even create the new folder; the App will do it for you.

If you run into trouble again, please create a new folder on C instead.  Call it whatever you want, e.g. Games, just not "The Sims 3," and it does need to be a new folder, not one you're reusing.  Choose that as the install location for Sims 3.

@R3tr0R3dux  Are you writing two slashes (like this \\ ) in the file path within the EA App?  If so, that would explain the issue: that's not the normal format, and the App isn't going to accept it.

Again, please do NOT change anything about the default location, just let the App install wherever it wants.

@R3tr0R3dux  If you uninstall and reinstall the EA App, then choose to customize rather than use the default settings, do you see an install location there?

Additionally, what language is Windows installed in?  And what antivirus do you use, if any?

I have the same problem here, that was right after I reinstall the latest version of EA app and even subscribe to EA play because I was NOT ABLE TO INSTALL ALL MY SIMS3 expansion packs. 
I thought subscribing to EA Play would help but no, it got worse! I can’t even download the base game which I could yesterday!  I am faced with the same issue, EA play would not create the sims3 folder and is stuck at downloading the first expansion pack! 
If the double slash is the problem then the error in with EA app. 

@puzzlezaddict 

I'm not sure how to customize the EA app installer. I'll try that tomorrow. The language Windows is in is English, (not sure if that's what you're talking about or the programming one...) but I've bought the game on Steam now and run it without having to use the EA App. I don't use any antivirus software unless Windows has one built in. It's a very strange conundrum.

Once all this gets fixed I think I'd still use the EA app because I found codes for a lot cheaper including add-ons on

Also not sure if that could be an issue, but the codes are legit and worked as they show up in my EA app library. Just can't install them lol...

I'm having the same issue. It comes up with a double slash, and I think that's where the error is coming from. Interestingly enough, it's only The Sims 3 that is having this issue. The Sims 4 and Sims City all installed just fine.

Im having the same issue, for me it tries to download the addons first and the base game is no where. 

I have done so many fixes and nothing has worked.

if it is the double slash issue is there anyway around this? Is it possible this is because of EA play, it connected though my xbox pass. 

@R3tr0R3dux @xpkoalz @zephxea @GlobalWarmer101  I've flagged this issue to someone from EA, but I don't know how to fix or work around it at the moment.  For those of you who haven't tested, does the same thing happen to other games?  You could test with Sims 4 or Apex Legends, both of which are free, if you don't own anything else.

Additionally, does this happen if you uninstall and reinstall the EA App and do NOT change the default install location?  Does it happen if you manually choose a different location?  Please test with a newly-created folder on the root level of the drive of your choice, e.g. C:\Games, and if that doesn't work, create a "The Sims 3" folder there and select it.  Please try all of these approaches if you haven't already and let me know what does and doesn't work.