Error Code 16, corrupted saves
Just reinstalled Sims 3 with two new packs (70s/80s/90s & World Adventure), and got Error Code 16 problems about 2 hours into playing. It has now corrupted three save files, and the files will not de...
Forum Discussion
Ever since installing the update last month, I have been unable to successfully play Sims 3 because I simply can't save a game. I'm getting Error Code 16, which I understand to mean that my save file is exceeding 4GB, however, I only currently have 5 households saved and never had this problem prior to the update.
- I have checked that I have plenty of free storage on my C drive and plenty of storage space in OneDrive where all my files are back up.
- I've tried pausing my OneDrive syncing.
- I've deleted all saves in-game and deleted my Saves folder.
- I've tried saving my household under a different name.
Following a live chat session with EA support, these are all the things that were covered during our discussions. In the end, I was told that there was nothing more they could do and that I should throw myself at the mercy of the forums. I'm afraid I expected more, but it is what it is so here I am. 🤷♀️
OvR8d1 I have a few suggestions in this master thread, which I wrote for Sims 4, but the OneDrive-related settings are the same:
[CURRENT ISSUE] Sims 4 saves/user content disappearing (PC) | EA Forums - 11838402
I've heard from some users that some options aren't the same on their devices, so if you don't see one option, just move on to the next one.
There are two other approaches I didn't list in that thread as well. One is to create a separate admin Windows account for playing Sims 3. Make the account local (no link to your Microsoft account or any email address), and you won't have any link to OneDrive. So you won't have to change any settings about your main account, just switch accounts when you want to play.
The other approach is one I can't promise will work because I don't have this issue myself. It could work in theory, the principle is fine, but I would need someone affected to test. That is to create a symbolic link to move your Sims 3 user folder, or the Electronic Arts folder, elsewhere. This guide is also for Sims 4, but the process is exactly the same other than the folder name:
You'd want to tell OneDrive to always keep the symlink on the device, as in the first link. You could direct the folder anywhere on any drive that isn't within a OneDrive folder, and the content itself should be intact. What I don't know is whether when Sims 3 can't write to the OneDrive folder, it can still jump through a symlink to write elsewhere.
I really appreciate that you've tried to help me, thanks so much for your time. I looked at all the options you presented and decided that the one I was least likely to eff up was the creation of a new Windows account, purely for playing Sims 3. While it would have been nice for an EA tech to address this problem directly with a solution rather than a workaround, it's gotten to the point where I'm grateful just to be able to play my game without issues. Thanks again.
