Problem When starting the launcher, I get the error message: There was an error during startup. See the Log for more details Cause The most common reason for this issue are left over registry keys from uninstalling the base game or any of the EPs. Run CCleaner (only registry cleaner and do backup your registry) to remove those and if it still doesn't work, do a manual search either for Sims 3 or by going through the list of keys here: http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_Uninstall In some cases a reset of the user files helps as well. Try that before reinstalling If this doesn't help, try the suggestions below. Suggestions Reinstall Origin Solution by Georgia82 for digital downloads (be aware that the patch linked is not the newest. Use the patch here: http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/FAQ-Patch-1-67/td-p/67858/) Make sure your graphic drivers are up-to-date Bypass the Launcher and start your game directly Right click on the launcher icon and start your launcher as administrator Make sure your Microsoft .net Framework is current Put in the base game DVD or start the game from the base game launcher icon instead of the addon If you uninstalled an EP make sure there are no left-over keys in your Registry. For information on Registry Keys, check this guide: Manually Uninstalling The Sims 3 Uninstall CAW and CAP and try to start the launcher. If that works, redownload the tools and reinstall them after cleaning your registry with CCleaner. If you manually moved the game or part of it (don't do that), the references in the Windows Registry are messed up. Reinstall your game. If you installed your game on an external drive, there might be a problem with the drive letter. Make sure that your drive has a fixed drive letter. This error often occurs after patching, so make sure you always backup your user files in documents\electronicarts\thesims3 before patching. ------------------------------------ Did this FAQ help you with your issue ? If so, please consider pressing the XP button

Hello.I have this problem and I did all from the above. I am really mad about this. My sims 3 won't start. What should I do?

Hello. For me the Startup works fine, but the problem is that when I started the game and opened the menu for the households etc, there's a text saying that the game disc is not in... I've tried to restart the game but it doesn't work... What should I do?

Well it might be annoying but it's the truth. I don't work for EA, I have no insight into the games code and I just try to find solutions around the net and put them in one place. AnswerHQ is about users helping users and that's all I am and most other helpers here. I'm sorry if the solutions provided don't help you.

Try uninstalling again, using these instructions: http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_Uninstall and don't put the folder in documents back until your positve that it works.

I have been having this problem all day but I believe I have found a soulution. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyKMnpKHGg8This video pretty much summed everything up on what I was doing wrong or missing. It may not help everyone, but I hope it can solve some problems.

Forum Discussion

crinrict

Hero+

14 years ago

[FAQ] There was an error during Startup

Problem

When starting the launcher, I get the error message: There was an error during startup. See the Log for more details

Cause

The most common reason for this issue are left over registry keys from uninstalling the base game or any of the EPs. Run CCleaner (only registry cleaner and do backup your registry) to remove those and if it still doesn't work, do a manual search either for Sims 3 or by going through the list of keys here: http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_Uninstall

In some cases a reset of the user files helps as well. Try that before reinstalling

If this doesn't help, try the suggestions below.

Suggestions

Reinstall Origin
Solution by Georgia82 for digital downloads (be aware that the patch linked is not the newest. Use the patch here: http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/FAQ-Patch-1-67/td-p/67858/)
Make sure your graphic drivers are up-to-date
Bypass the Launcher and start your game directly
Right click on the launcher icon and start your launcher as administrator
Make sure your Microsoft .net Framework is current
Put in the base game DVD or start the game from the base game launcher icon instead of the addon
If you uninstalled an EP make sure there are no left-over keys in your Registry. For information on Registry Keys, check this guide: Manually Uninstalling The Sims 3
Uninstall CAW and CAP and try to start the launcher. If that works, redownload the tools and reinstall them after cleaning your registry with CCleaner.
If you manually moved the game or part of it (don't do that), the references in the Windows Registry are messed up. Reinstall your game.
If you installed your game on an external drive, there might be a problem with the drive letter. Make sure that your drive has a fixed drive letter.

This error often occurs after patching, so make sure you always backup your user files in documents\electronicarts\thesims3 before patching.

------------------------------------

Did this FAQ help you with your issue ? If so, please consider pressing the XP button

technical issues

55 Replies

kdmfyc
12 years ago
Ok, I have...
reinstalled origin
got teh patch
updated graphics drivers
tried running it from the disk and going into the files and running the application
launched as an admin
checked for left-over registries-everything in there, I have installed
removed cache and user files
I have no cc or mods
I think it might have something to do with the way I have it saved (on a secondary drive). How should the files be organized? Any help is appreciated!
descartes_isnt
11 years ago
I'm not sure if it's worked yet to get the game working again, but I'm feeling very hopeful after your link directed me to how to remove all traces of the Sims 3 from my laptop. There was way, way more than I was expecting to find. So thank you, crinrict, and fingers crossed it goes well!
Klovesjen
10 years ago
This fixed this error for me

Basically, delete old reg entries in regedit which could be left over from having the game installed previously etc.

I had to delete some from an expansion I had installed before but not anymore.

EDIT (crin): Video removed. Links to videos of that channel or site are against the tos
Anonymous
8 years ago
Just to throw this out to anyone who tried all these and had no luck with the solutions suggested here. I tried everything here with no success until I spoke with a very patient and helpful girl from EA (Superstar Sheila!)
In the end what worked for me was creating a brand new, completely clean, admin account on my computer. When I ran the Sims 3 through Origin from the separate admin account it's been working for the past few days. So far so good, though time will tell!
Razamataz50
Rising Newcomer
8 years ago
Here is Something I found that worked. In your "Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3" File named Options.ini .. Use Notepad to edit it. Change line "fullscreen = 1" to "fullscreen = 0" Now it will start in Windowed mode and you can change your Video Options into a range you can handle.