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SimplifiedSimi's avatar
SimplifiedSimi
Seasoned Newcomer
10 months ago

sims 3 save crashes after a few minutes

I've been trying to play my saved family, but the game crashes a few minutes after loading the save. However, I can play other saves without any issues.

Here’s what I’ve done to troubleshoot so far:

  • I start the game using The Sims 3 Launcher and go offline in the EA App.
  • I delete the necessary cache files and all the pictures in the "Featured Items" folder.
  • I’ve turned off the interactive menu that appears when starting a save and only use the "Save As" option to save my progress.
  • I reset all objects in the save using NRAAS Master Controller.
  • I’ve adjusted my visual settings and capped the framerate to 60 FPS using NVIDIA settings.
  • I removed my Mods folder, but the save still crashes.

For reference, I’m playing in a custom world. I’ve noticed something odd: when I make a copy of the save, rename it, and load the copied save, the game doesn’t create a .backup file for it.

I’ve attached my DxDiag.txt and the crash-related files for reference.

pc
technical issues

1 Reply

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    10 months ago

    @SimplifiedSimi  Thanks for the dxdiag, which lists a number of Sims 3 crashes that all point to component of DirectX 9.  While DX9 can't be missing or completely corrupt, since the game wouldn't even open in that case, it's still worth reinstalling to address any potential issues on that front.  You don't need to uninstall it; just run the installer and restart your computer.  Here's how:

    https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-launcher-won-t-open/m-p/10711778#M247861

    If that doesn't help, I have a few questions.  Does the game crash in a new save as well, in the same world; and a new save in Sunset Valley?  Have you taken steps to limit your in-game framerates?  What sim-time of day does the crash in this save happen?  Do you have any custom content installed through the launcher, aside from the custom world itself?

    As a side note, the .backup folder for a given save is the data from the second-to-last time you saved your progress.  It's created when you save again, not when you load the save, and not when you use "save as" to rename a save, since you're creating a new save slot rather than superceding your existing one with new data.

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