Forum Discussion

6 years ago

Solved

Sims 3 repeated game freezing, crashing.

Hello! So, I have a new DELL XPS PC, I play MANY Steam games including DOOM 2016, Fallout 4, Fallout 76, amongst many more...I NEVER have problems with freezing or crashing during any of my other high end Steam games. BUT my Sims 3 is constantly freezing and crashing, making me lose data multiple times a day. I'm finding myself saving my game after everything I do because it keeps happening. But none of my newer games do this, and no problems at all with my PC. It seems to do this more often since I installed DLC. I don't know if this is a common Sims 3 issue on modern computers or if there is something I can do. Thanks!!

technical issues

puzzlezaddict
6 years ago
@LynziBynzi23 What graphics card do you have? I'm guessing Nvidia based on your computer model, but let me know if you happen to have an AMD card. For Nvidia cards, you can limit fps through the built-in Control Panel. (Right-click on the desktop, select the Control Panel, then Manage 3D Settings.) If you play in fullscreen mode, it's enough to enable vertical sync.

Under Program Settings, choose TS3.exe for an Origin install, or TS3W.exe (with the W) for a Steam or disc install (green box). Then enable vertical sync and triple buffering (red box).

If you play in windowed mode, you can manually limit fps in Global Settings. In this case, you'd want to limit it to the refresh rate of your monitor. Turn on the max frame rate and input the refresh rate, then click OK to save the change.

Be sure to check in-game fps with the cheat fps on to make sure your settings are working.

If limiting the framerates doesn't help, there are plenty of other reasons the game might freeze or crash, and it would help to see a dxdiag. You can attach one directly to a post.

https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/pc/how-to-gather-dxdiag-information/

4 Replies

puzzlezaddict
Hero+
6 years ago
@LynziBynzi23 I've moved your post to the Sims 3 PC tech section.

What world(s) are you playing in? Some are so poorly made that they'll lag, freeze, and crash on even the most powerful computers. And have you taken steps to manually limit your in-game fps? Excessively high framerates can cause crashes, among other things. The game's built-in fps limiter doesn't work, so you'd need to use an outside tool. Let me know if you need help with this. By the way, you can see your in-game fps with the cheat fps on.

Please also let me know whether you use mods or custom content. It's perfectly fine to do so, it's just that some content is not so well made.

And yes, these issues are common when running Sims 3 on a modern computer. But they're almost always solvable.
LynziBynzi23
6 years ago
Thank you SO much! I have The Sims 3, and The Sims Future Expansion pack. It seems like my expansion pack has caused most of the freezing...I didn't and don't know about limiting FRPS but if you explain it I will follow your directions as best I can! Thanks again!!!
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
6 years ago
@LynziBynzi23 What graphics card do you have? I'm guessing Nvidia based on your computer model, but let me know if you happen to have an AMD card. For Nvidia cards, you can limit fps through the built-in Control Panel. (Right-click on the desktop, select the Control Panel, then Manage 3D Settings.) If you play in fullscreen mode, it's enough to enable vertical sync.

Under Program Settings, choose TS3.exe for an Origin install, or TS3W.exe (with the W) for a Steam or disc install (green box). Then enable vertical sync and triple buffering (red box).

If you play in windowed mode, you can manually limit fps in Global Settings. In this case, you'd want to limit it to the refresh rate of your monitor. Turn on the max frame rate and input the refresh rate, then click OK to save the change.

Be sure to check in-game fps with the cheat fps on to make sure your settings are working.

If limiting the framerates doesn't help, there are plenty of other reasons the game might freeze or crash, and it would help to see a dxdiag. You can attach one directly to a post.

https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/pc/how-to-gather-dxdiag-information/
LynziBynzi23
6 years ago
Wow THANK YOU so much!! You've been so nice and helpful Im VERY grateful! I will run through all of this and try to fix the problem. Its now freezing every single time I play it so I will definitely do what I can and super appreciate your help!! HUGE help. Your the best mate!