Sims3 Ver. w/ no Login Opt.

@42dawgz  Your code should have worked when you entered it into the EA App.  If it didn't, what error message did you see?  Your initial installation of Sims 3 shouldn't have used up the code because the EA App wasn't involved, which is the only way the code could have been entered into EA's system.  Old disc installs never required or prompted registration.  For example, I'd installed my 2010 disc copy twice before I found out about the Sims 3 Store and registered my code there.

That would be the first thing to try here: go to store.thesims3.com , sign in with the same email address and password you use in the EA App, click "Register a Game" at the bottom of the page, and enter your code.  If you see the code already reads as used, please click the My Page header and see if the base game shows as owned there.

If it does show as owned, then you somehow already registered the code.  Otherwise, you'll need to contact EA customer support (again, sorry) with proof of purchase.  Take a photo of the disc, its case, and the insert with the base game code clearly readable, and another photo or screenshot of the receipt.  You can upload both when you submit the help request.  You're specifically asking what happened to your code and, if it's not usable, for support to add the game to your account.

I'd strongly recommend live chat rather than email.  If you're having trouble finding the option, try this link:

https://help.ea.com/en/help-contact-us/?product=the-sims-3&platform=&topic=missing-game&category=manage-my-account&subCategory=find-missing-game

Make sure you're signed into an EA site (this one is fine) before clicking the link and that the location in the lower-right corner of the browser window is set to U.S. or U.K.

I understand you want to get the registration issue sorted out first, and that's fine.  When you're ready to proceed, the patching is much simpler: download the Super Patch (Cumulative 1.67 base game super patcher) from here:

https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/175477/official-ea-download-link-for-the-sims-3-cumulative-manual-update

This is much more effective than the launcher and will patch your game to 1.67.  This is the latest patch level for disc and Steam installs; 1.69 is for Origin/EA App installs in Windows, and 1.70 is the 64-bit Mac version.  There is no in-game distinction between patches 1.67 and 1.69; the only differences are that 1.69 requires the game to be launched from within the EA App, and that the launcher has a pack selector that often doesn't function properly.  In your position, I would absolutely stay on patch 1.67, and in fact I have a Steam install for exactly that reason.

Once your game is connected to your account, you'll be able to sign in through the launcher or the Main Menu, and you'll be able to use the Store and Exchange.  You should also receive some free SimPoints for registering your game; check My Page for a blue Redeem Points button.  There is, however, no real benefit to signing in, just access to a few badges and the ability to shop from within the game rather than using the Store website.

The blank launcher may also be related to your very old patch level.  Let me know if you've patched to 1.67 and it's still blank.

But it didn't ☹️

I even went back to try everything again just now so all these screenshots are fresh. When putting my code into the EA app, it first recognizes it as a Sims 3 code and asks me to confirm. Then it loads. Then it goes back to the input screen and gives the red text saying “This code has already been redeemed”. Because it has been, I did it. In the middle of the install in order for me to finish the process.

I promise: I was prompted to input the code in the middle of the install, before making it to the launcher. I even got it wrong at first because I put the Ambitions code in instead of the Base Game code. I used a family member’s computer to show screenshots of the installer asking for the code in the middle of the process, as well as the two pages that are shown before that one, in case it helps. Originally, after I put the code in as prompted, it continued with the installing process without ever asking me to login to anything. The only credentials I put in was the code.

After going to “register a game”, I am prompted with this after entering the code: “The serial code you entered is invalid. Please enter a valid serial code and re-submit.” (see attachment) and now I’m even more confused. I thought I typed it wrong but I’ve done it over and over in many variations and it’s the same. Why would the EA app recognize it if store.thesims3.com cant..?(I attached screenshots of the EA app’s response to the same code) But anyways. On “My Page” I’m going to say there’s no base game installed, since it prompts “Register a game” under the badges in the bottom left.

I saw similar instructions, from you on another post, to talk to Live Chat when researching a possible fix to the problem. So, I tried to converse with someone there… but I already detailed how that went. I forgot to add: I included a picture for Live Chat of the disk/code/case but they claimed they couldn't see the attachments and never confirmed in the end whether or not they ever figured it out. But right after posting, I will try Live Chat again with the specific things you suggest.

Thank You ;w;

QUICK EDIT: I followed your link and the only available option is email (unlike last night), there is no Live Chat option right now for the option listed. I looked in both the UK and USA server ☹️

I could see “Live Chat” clearly yesterday when I used it to talk with two different game advisors (I got disconnected w/ the first one). But ever since I woke up this morning (when I sent my initial reply here), the “Live Chat” option was gone. Just email remains. So I send an email and wait around all day. Then after clicking around here, I noticed I can see “Live Chat” when logged out. So I logout and finally, at like 1am, I am able to talk with a Game Advisor again through Live Chat. But only when I am logged out… Did EA softblock me?? hahahaa 😢

But anyways. The meeting ended a little bit ago. They said they’ll be working to get it fixed and will be replying back to me sometime soon with (hopefully) the final solution. However they mentioned they might be sending the message through the launcher/game, which could be sticky considering it’s glitched at the moment… 

We shall see!! Let us hope things work out well.

Hi @42dawgz,

If this game was purchased second-hand, it's sounding like this code was used and previously redeemed already to another EA account. Codes can only be redeemed and registered to one EA account, so you will not be able to register this code a second time on a different account. You'll want to get in contact with the retailer you bought this code from for a refund or replacement code instead. 

Hi! As previously described several times throughout my posts, I am the one who used the code. I used it when registering the game mid install. If your system has the ability to see what date the code was installed, you will see that it only happened within the past few days. Furthermore, the case was unopened when I purchased it. 

The problem is not that I was never able to use the code. It's that I already used it when installing it, and now I am unable to connect it to my EA account. If I couldn't use the code, I wouldn't be able to play the game as it is right now. The issue is that I can't connect it to my EA account. 😞

@42dawgz 

You can contact live support again and have them check the details of this code to see which account it's currently tied with. Please reach out to live support again by submitting a help request here- when you contact in, be sure to provide the code in the live chat or email with your advisor, rather than providing a picture so the live support team can search for your code. You can also attach this AHQ conversation when you reach out so the team has further information to reference. 

Thank you for your advice, I'll try again. 

Take a look at my attachment though, it show's this new issue I am having with support.

@42dawgz 

If email is the only option you're seeing available, go ahead and contact in through email. Live support will respond as quickly as possible on this.