My Sims 3 isn't opening after I updated to Windows 11. I just updated to Windows 11 and every time I try to open Sims 3, it crashes to the desktop and the Origin launcher opens instead (like when you quit out of the game itself). I have cleared the cache from Origin already in hopes that it will solve the issue (spoiler: it didn't). I'm scared to delete/uninstall the game from my laptop, because of all the saves and packs I have on it) but I will if it means that I can play the game again. Please help!

@ImThatKateGirI Oh geez...I hope this gets fixed soon. I was putting off updating and then I finally did. Now I wish I didn't lol

@ohjosiekthere's a bunch of us that are having a similar issue. we are assuming that it's because of 12th gen cpus. https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-won-t-open-Alder-Lake-Intel-12th-gen-CPU/m-p/11104241#M248741

@ohjosiek You don't have an Alder Lake processor—yours is 8th-gen Intel—and the errors in your dxdiag are completely different as well. So at least you don't need to worry about that particular issue. Instead, try uninstalling and reinstalling VC++ 2005, a component of which is throwing errors. Hit Windows key-i, select Apps, scroll down to the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables, click on the 2005 version, and select Uninstall. (Don't touch the versions from any other year.) Then download and install a new copy directly from Microsoft. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26347 You only need the x86 version, not the other two. Restart your computer after installing and before trying to play. That's the first step because the errors in your dxdiag are clear. However, I think the issue is more likely your graphics driver, which is significantly older than Windows 11 and is probably not fully compatible with your OS. So try installing the newest driver available for your processor from Intel. Go here: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/149091/intel-core-i78565u-processor-8m-cache-up-to-4-60-ghz.html Click on "Drivers and Software," and download the DCH drivers dated November 11 (the regular one, not the newer beta version). Restart after installing and before trying to play.

@VioletKitty411 It sounds like you have this issue: https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-won-t-open-Alder-Lake-Intel-12th-gen-CPU/m-p/11057820#M248615 Please try one of the methods in the accepted solution on page one.

@ohjosiek Do you in fact have a 12th-gen Intel processor? Did the game work on this computer before you installed Windows 11? Either way, it would be helpful to see a dxdiag on this computer. You can attach one to a post. https://help.ea.com/en/help/pc/how-to-gather-dxdiag-information/

sims 3 not launching windows 11 | EA Forums

21 Replies

JungleFoulPlay
4 years ago
Make sure this is installed: Download .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 | Free official downloads (microsoft.com) and install this as that is VC++ crash: Release v0.60.0 · abbodi1406/vcredist (github.com)
This will update all VC++ runtimes and remove old and broken version. Make sure you run it 4 times as admin because windows can break the installs.
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
4 years ago
@ohjosiek The Sims 3 crashes in your dxdiag reference a component of the VC++ 2005 runtime, the same errors you had when you first posted, but you said you already reinstalled the runtime. Did you ever try a clean user folder? As in, move the entire Sims 3 folder out of Documents\Electronic Arts and onto your desktop, and let the game spawn a new folder. Even if you tried this before, please do so again now just to be thorough: it's best to troubleshoot with a clean folder in place just to keep things simple.

Please also make sure that no service (for example OneDrive) is syncing your Sims 3 folder. Specifically, after you move the folder, but before you try to launch the game, check in Documents\Electronic Arts to make sure that the Sims 3 folder and its contents haven't reappeared or been duplicated.
jemmaklansek
3 years ago
@ohjosiek Hi I just recently tried installing and running the game on a new laptop from Origin launcher. It wouldn't even install the game. Eventually I tried downloading the EA download manager/app. Signed in the same way and ID as used on Origin and the game popped up in my library ready to install. It actually worked straight away then installed the previous bought expansions along with it.
So I guess they've swapped back to the EA ap.
KellsxDnO
3 years ago
december 2022 and just got the sims 3 game back on my old origin. still an going going issue a whole year later smfh
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
3 years ago
@KellsxDnO Please run a dxdiag and attach it to a post.

https://help.ea.com/en/help/pc/how-to-gather-dxdiag-information/
iiLexi
3 years ago
Lazy dutchess was able to help fix the issue
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-won-t-open-Alder-Lake-Intel-12th-gen-CPU/m-p/11524785
VioletKitty411
Rising Traveler
2 years ago
I finally have a PC that might not crash after an hour of playing and I was hoping to give TS3 a fair shot. I have never enjoyed the game because of the crashing. I installed DX9 thinking that was the issue, but still nothing. From my EAApp, the TS3 launcher comes up and then when I attempt to launch it goes back to the EAApp.

Note, I can launch TS2 and TS4 just fine. I can even play TS1 on this machine (loaded it just to see if I could). So the problem is distinctly with TS3.
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
2 years ago
@VioletKitty411 It sounds like you have this issue:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-won-t-open-Alder-Lake-Intel-12th-gen-CPU/m-p/11057820#M248615

Please try one of the methods in the accepted solution on page one.
VioletKitty411
Rising Traveler
2 years ago
@puzzlezaddict Thank you. I haven't been back to this page since I posted. I will give that a shot.
Melli36nrw
2 years ago
Mit Adler Like komme ich nicht zurecht finde meine sims3 exe auch nirgends

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sims 3 not launching windows 11

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