Sims 3 64-bit: problems installing store/custom content
A number of people are reporting issues when trying to install .Sims3Pack-based content, whether Store items or custom content.
- Clicking Install does nothing
- Error Downloading Content {0} or critical system failure
- Sims3Pack can't be opened (no file set to open)
- Store content was installed but no longer loads
- Mods or .package-based cc doesn't work
Your previously downloaded files may not work in your new install. Please try downloading a fresh copy of at least one store item or two custom content items before troubleshooting.
Always delete your cache files after adding (or removing) content from your game.
Open Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3, and delete the five cache files in that folder. They will regenerate the next time you launch the game. For reference, they are:
- CASPartCache.package
- compositorCache.package
- scriptCache.package
- simCompositorCache.package
- socialCache.package
If you click Install in the launcher and nothing happens
Please close the launcher and open it again, and if that doesn't work, quit Origin and reopen it.
If you see an Error Downloading Content {0} or critical system failure
These errors are caused by missing .plist files in ~/Library/Application Support/Origin/Installer Data. If you're wondering whether this is the underlying issue with your game, another symptom is having the base game icon grayed out along the bottom of the launcher.
With the November 9 update for Sims 3, repairing the game should create or restore the Installer Data folder and place the relevant .plist files inside. (Open your Origin game library, right-click or crtl-click on the Sims 3 icon, and select Repair.) If your base game icon is still grayed out, run the Origin reset tool for macOS, repair again, and try to install your content.
If you have this issue and your base game icon is not grayed out in the launcher, move your entire Sims 3 folder out of Documents > Electronic Arts, open the launcher to create a new folder, and try to download a fresh copy of one item. If it works, you can continue to download and install your content in small batches.
Sims3Pack can't be opened (there is no file set to open...)
Downloaded .Sims3Pack-based custom content cannot for now be opened automatically or double-clicked to install. Here's how to install a downloaded Sims3Pack:
- When you click Download, choose "Save file" rather than "Open with." The file will land in your Downloads folder.
- If you've downloaded a .zip file, double-click to open it. Do not double-click a Sims3Pack.
- Move your Sims3Pack to Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3 > Downloads.
- Open the launcher's Downloads tab, check the box next to your downloaded file, and click Install.
Store content was installed but no longer loads
Please try repairing the game in Origin: open your game library, right-click (or hold down crtl and click) on the Sims 3 icon, and select Repair. If that doesn't help, run the Origin reset tool for macOS:
https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/origin/origin/how-to-reset-origin-on-mac/
Restart your computer, and repair again.
Mods or .package-based cc doesn't work
The Mods folder works in this version of Sims 3 the same way it always has. If you're having trouble getting your Mods folder to work, please refer to the instructions where you downloaded the content. And be sure to delete the cache files listed above.
Please remember that .package files should not be opened and cannot be seen in the launcher. Simply place them in Mods > Packages, delete the cache files, and the game should read them when loading.
Marked as a solution for visibility
For anyone still having issues installing store or custom content, the update today (November 9) has fixed the underlying problem that is the most common cause of an "Error downloading content" or "critical system failure."
If you have this issue, please repair the game in Origin: open your game library, right-click on the Sims 3 icon, and select Repair. Then open the launcher and see whether the base game icon in the lower left corner is grayed out. If it's now green, the underlying issue should be solved, and you should be able to install content again.
Although the underlying cause of expansion and stuff pack icons being grayed out is the same, that is not addressed in this fix. However, the grayed out pack icons should not affect your ability to install or use store or custom content.
If you still get the same errors when downloading or installing content, and your base game icon is NOT grayed out in the launcher, please move the entire Sims 3 folder out of Documents/Electronic Arts and onto your desktop, open the launcher to spawn a clean folder, and download a fresh copy of one item to test.
